merton of the movies-第7章

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By　his　remembered　count　he　should　now　be　possessed　of　two　hundred　and　twelve　dollars。　And　there　was　the　two…dollar　bill；　a　limp；　gray　thing；　abraded　almost　beyond　identification。　He　placed　this　down　first；　knowing　that　the　remaining　bills　should　amount　to　two　hundred　and　ten　dollars。　Slowly　he　counted；　to　finish　with　a　look　of　blank；　hesitating　wonder。　He　made　another　count；　hastily；　but　taking　greater　care。　The　wonder　grew。　Again　he　counted；　slowly　this　time；　so　that　there　could　be　no　doubt。　And　now　he　knew！　He　possessed　thirty…three　dollars　more　than　he　had　thought。　Knowing　this　was　right；　he　counted　again　for　the　luxury　of　it。　Two　hundred　and　forty…　five　obvious　dollars！

How　had　he　lost　count？　He　tried　to　recall。　He　could　remember　taking　out　the　money　he　had　paid　Lowell　Hardy　for　the　last　batch　of　Clifford　Armytage　stillsfor　Lowell；　although　making　professional　rates　to　Merton；　still　believed　the　artist　to　be　worth　his　hireand　he　could　remember　taking　some　more　out　to　send　to　the　mail…order　house　in　Chicago　for　the　cowboy　things；　but　it　was　plain　that　he　had　twice；　at　least；　crowded　a　week's　salary　into　the　pouch　and　forgotten　it。

It　was　a　pleasurable　experience；　it　was　like　finding　thirty…three　dollars。　And　he　was　by　that　much　nearer　to　his　goal；　that　much　sooner　would　he　be　released　from　bondage；　thirty…three　dollars　sooner　could　he　look　Gashwiler　in　the　eye　and　say　what　he　thought　of　him　and　his　emporium。　In　his　nightly　prayer　he　did　not　neglect　to　render　thanks　for　this。

He　dressed　the　next　morning　with　a　new　elation。　He　must　be　more　careful　about　keeping　tab　on　his　money；　but　also　it　was　wonderful　to　find　more　than　you　expected。　He　left　the　storeroom　that　reeked　of　kerosene　and　passed　into　the　emporium　to　replace　his　treasure　in　its　hiding　place。　The　big　room　was　dusky　behind　the　drawn　front　curtains；　but　all　the　smells　were　therethe　smell　of　ground　coffee　and　spices　at　the　grocery　counter；　farther　on；　the　smothering　smell　of　prints　and　woolens　and　new　leather。

The　dummies；　waiting　down　by　the　door　to　be　put　outside；　regarded　each　other　in　blank　solemnity。　A　few　big　flies　droned　lazily　about　their　still　forms。　Merton　eyed　the　dusty　floor；　the　gleaming　counters；　the　curtains　that　shielded　the　shelves；　with　a　new　disdain。　Sooner　than　he　had　thought　he　would　bid　them　a　last　farewell。　And　to…day；　at　least；　he　was　free　of　themfree　to　be　on　the　lot　at　two；　to　shoot　Western　stuff。　Let　to…morrow；　with　its　old　round　of　degrading　tasks；　take　care　of　itself。

At　10：30　he　was　in　church。　He　was　not　as　attentive　to　the　sermon　as　he　should　have　been；　for　it　now　occurred　to　him　that　he　had　no　stills　of　himself　in　the　garb　of　a　clergyman。　This　was　worth　considering；　because　he　was　not　going　to　be　one　of　those　one…part　actors。　He　would　have　a　wide　range　of　roles。　He　would　be　able　to　play　anything。　He　wondered　how　the　Rev。　Otto　Carmichael　would　take　the　request　for　a　brief　loan　of　one　of　his　pulpit　suits。　Perhaps　he　was　not　so　old　as　he　looked；　perhaps　he　might　remember　that　he；　too；　had　once　been　young　and　fired　with　high　ideals。　It　would　be　worth　trying。　And　the　things　could　be　returned　after　a　brief　studio　session　with　Lowell　Hardy。　He　saw　himself　cast　in　such　a　part；　the　handsome　young　clergyman；　exponent　of　a　muscular　Christianity。　He　comes　to　the　toughest　cattle　town　in　all　the　great　Southwest；　determined　to　make　honest　men　and　good　women　of　its　sinning　derelicts。　He　wins　the　hearts　of　these　rugged　but　misguided　souls。　Though　at　first　they　treat　him　rough；　they　learn　to　respect　him；　and　they　call　him　the　fighting　parson。　Eventually　he　wins　the　hand　in　marriage　of　the　youngest　of　the　dance…hall　denizens；　a　sweet　young　girl　who　despite　her　evil　surroundings　has　remained　as　pure　and　good　as　she　is　beautiful。

Anyway；　if　he　had　those　clothes　for　an　hour　or　two　while　the　artist　made　a　few　studies　of　him　he　would　have　something　else　to　show　directors　in　search　of　fresh　talent。

After　church　he　ate　a　lonely　meal　served　by　Metta　Judson　at　the　Gashwiler　residence。　The　Gashwilers　were　on　their　accustomed　Sabbath　visit　to　the　distant　farm　of　Mrs。　Gashwiler's　father。　But　as　he　ate　he　became　conscious　that　the　Gashwiler　influence　was　not　wholly　withdrawn。　From　above　the　mantel　he　was　sternly　regarded　by　a　tinted　enlargement　of　his　employer's　face　entitled　Photographic　Study　by　Lowell　Hardy。　Lowell　never　took　photographs　merely。　He　made　photographic　studies；　and　the　specimen　at　hand　was　one　of　his　most　daring　efforts。　Merton　glared　at　it　in　free　hostilitya　clod；　with　ideals　as　false　as　the　artist's　pink　on　his　leathery　cheeks！　He　hurried　his　meal；　glad　to　be　relieved　from　the　inimical　scrutiny。

He　was　glad　to　be　free　from　this　and　from　the　determined　recital　by　Metta　Judson　of　small…town　happenings。　What　cared　he　that　Gus　Giddings　had　been　fined　ten　dollars　and　costs　by　Squire　Belcher　for　his　low　escapade；　or　that　Gus's　father　had　sworn　to　lick　him　within　an　inch　of　his　life　if　he　ever　ketched　him　touching　stimmilints　again？

He　went　to　the　barn；　climbed　to　the　hayloft；　and　undid　the　bundle　containing　his　Buck　Benson　outfit。　This　was　fresh　from　the　mail…　order　house　in　Chicago。　He　took　out　almost　reverently　a　pair　of　high…heeled　boots　with　purple　tops；　a　pair　of　spurs；　a　gay　shirt；　a　gayer　neckerchief；　a　broad…brimmed　hat；　a　leather　holster；　andmost　impressive　of　alla　pair　of　goatskin　chaps　dyed　a　violent　maroon。　All　these　he　excitedly　donned；　the　spurs　last。　Then　he　clambered　down　the　ladder　from　the　loft；　somewhat　impeded　by　the　spurs；　and　went　into　the　kitchen。　Metta　Judson；　washing　dishes；　gave　a　little　cry　of　alarm。　Nothing　like　this　had　ever　before　invaded　the　Gashwiler　home　by　front　door　or　back。

〃Why；　Mert'　Gill；　whatever　you　dressed　up　like　that　for？　My　stars；　you　look　like　a　cowboy　or　something！　Well；　I　must　say！〃

〃Say；　Metta；　do　me　a　favour。　I　want　to　see　how　these　things　look　in　a　glass。　It's　a　cowboy　outfit　for　when　I　play　regular　Buck　Benson　parts；　and　everything's　got　to　be　just　so　or　the　audience　writes　to　the　magazines　about　it　and　makes　fun　of　you。〃

〃Go　ahead；〃　said　Metta。　〃You　can　git　a　fine　look　at　yourself　in　the　tall　glass　in　the　old　lady's　bedroom。〃

Forthwith　he　went；　profaning　a　sanctuary；　to　survey　himself　in　a　glass　that　had　never　reflected　anything　but　the　discreet　arraying　of　his　employer's　lady。　He　looked　long　and　earnestly。　The　effect　was　quite　all　he　had　hoped。　He　lowered　the　front　of　the　broad…brimmed　hat　the　least　bit；　tightened　his　belt　another　notch　and　moved　the　holster　to　a　better　line。　He　looked　again。　From　feet　to　head　he　was　perfect。

Then；　slightly　crouching；　he　drew　his　revolver　from　the　holster　and　held　it　forward　from　the　hip；　wrist　and　forearm　rigidly　straight。

〃Throw　up　your　hands！〃

He　uttered　the　grim　words　in　a　low　tone；　but　one　facing　him　would　not　have　been　deceived　by　low　tones。　Steely…eyed；　grim　of　face；　relentless　in　all　his　bearing；　the　most　desperate　adversary　would　have　quailed。　Probably　even　Gashwiler　himself　would　have　quailed。　When　Buck　Benson　looked　and　spoke　thus　he　meant　it。

He　held　it　a　long；　breathless　moment　before　relaxing。　Then　he　tiptoed　softly　from　the　hallowed　confines　of　a　good　woman's　boudoir　and　clattered　down　the　back　stairs　to　the　kitchen。　He　was　thinking：　〃I　certainly　got　to　get　me　another　gun　if　I'm　ever　going　to　do　Two…　Gun　Benson　parts；　and　I　got　to　get　the　draw　down　better。　I　ain't　quick　enough　yet。〃

〃Well；　did　you　like　your　rig？〃　inquired　Metta　genially。

〃Oh；　it'll　do　for　the　stills　we're　shooting　to…day；〃　replied　the　actor。　〃Of　course　I　ought　to　have　a　rattlesnake…skin　band　on　my　hat；　and　the　things　look　too　new　yet。　And　say；　Metta；　where's　the　clothesline？　I　want　to　practise　roping　a　little　before　my　camera　man　gets　here。〃

〃My　stars！　You're　certainly　goin'　to　be　a　real　one；　ain't　you？〃

She　brought　him　the　clothesline；　in　use　only　on　Mondays。　He　re…　coiled　it　carefully　and　made　a　running　noose　in　one　end。

At　two　Lowell　Hardy　found　his　subject　casting　the　rope　at　an　inattentive　Dexter。　The　old　horse　stood　in　the　yard；　head　down；　one　foot　crossed　nonchalantly　before　the　other。　A　slight　tremor；　a　nervous　flickering　of　his　skin；　was　all　that　ensued　when　the　rope　grazed　him。　When　it　merely　fell　in　his　general　neighbourhood；　as　it　oftener　did；　Dexter　did　not　even　glance　up。

〃Good　stuff！〃　applauded　the　artist。　〃Now　just　stand　that　way；　holding　the　noose　out。　I　want　to　make　a　study　of　that。〃

He　rapidly　mounted　his　camera　on　a　tripod　and　put　in　a　plate。　The　study　was　made。　Followed　several　studies　of　the　fighting　face　of　Two…Gun　Benson；　grim　and　rigid；　about　to　shoot　from　the　hip。　But　these　were　minor　bits。　More　important　would　be　Buck　Benson　and　his　old　pal；　Pinto。　From　the　barn　Merton　dragged　the　saddle；　blanket；　and　bridle　he　had　borrowed　from　the　Giddings　House　livery　stable。　He　had　never　saddled　a　horse　before；　but　he　had　not　studied　in　vain。　He　seized　Dexter　by　a　wisp　of　his　surviving　mane　and　simultaneously　planted　a　hearty　kick　in　the　beast's　side；　with　a　command；　〃Get　around　there；　you　old　skate！〃　Dexter　sighed　miserably　and　got　around　as　ordered。　He　was　both　pained　and　astonished。　He　knew　that　this　was　Sunday。　Never　had　he　been　forced　to　work　on　this　day。　But　he　meekly　suffered　the　protrusion　of　a　bit　between　his　yellow　teeth；　and　shuddered　but　slightly　when　a　blanket　and　then　a　heavy　saddle　were　flung　across　his　back。　True；　he　looked　up　in　some　dismay　when　the　girth　was　tightened。　Not　once　in　all　his　years　had　he　been　saddled。　He　was　used　to　having　things　loose　around　his　waist。

The　girth　went　still　tighter。　Dexter　glanced　about　with　genuine　concern。　Someone　was　intending　to　harm　him。　He　curved　his　swanlike　neck　and　snapped　savagely　at　the　shoulder　of　his　aggressor；　who　kicked　him　again　in　the　aide　and　yelled；　〃Whoa；　there；　dang　you！〃

Dexter　subsided。　He　saw　it　was　no　use。　Whatever　queer　thing　they　meant　to　do　to　him　would　be　done　despite　all　his　resistance。　Still　his　alarm　had　caused　him　to　hold　up　his　head　now。　He　was　looking　much　more　like　a　horse。

〃There！〃　said　Merton　Gill；　and　as　a　finishing　touch　he　lashed　the　coiled　clothesline　to　the　front　of　the　saddle。　〃Now；　here！　Get　me　this　way。　This　is　one　of　the　best　things　I　dothat　is；　so　far。〃　Fondly　he　twined　his　arms　about　the　long；　thin　neck　of　Dexter；　who　tossed　his　head　and　knocked　off　the　cowboy　hat。　〃Never　mind　that　it's　out；〃　said　Merton。　〃Can't　use　it　in　this　scene。〃　He　laid　his　cheek　to　the　cheek　of　his　pet。　〃Well；　old　pal；　they're　takin'　yuh　from　me；　but　we　got　to　keep　a　stiff　upper　lip。　You　an'　me　has　been　through　some　purty　lively　times　together；　but　we　got　to　face　the　music　at　lastthere；　Lowell；　did　you　get　that？〃

The　artist　had　made　his　study。　He　made　three　others　of　the　same　affecting　scene　at　different　angles。　Dexter　was　overwhelmed　with　endearments。　Doubtless　he　was　puzzledto　be　kicked　in　the　ribs　at　one　moment；　the　next　to　be　fondled。　But　Lowell　Hardy　was　enthusiastic。　He　said　he　would　have　some　corking　studies。　He　made　another　of　Buck　Benson　preparing　to　mount　good　old　Pinto；　though；　as　a　matter　of　fact；　Buck；　it　appeared；　was　not　even　half　prepared　to　mount。

〃Go　on；　jump　on　him　now；〃　suggested　the　artist。　〃I'll　get　a　few　more　that　way。〃

〃Well；　I　don't　know；〃　Merton　hesitated。　He　was　twenty…two　years　old；　and　he　had　never　yet　be