Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-06-27
AMATEUR PAINTING.

"I'll paint that kitchen floor myself, Lo-
BELLA" said Mr.. McSwat, with decision.
'There's no sense In paying man 80 cents
an hour and four prices for the paint he
uses and then getting the stove and wood
work all smeared with it and the house
filled with the smell of stale tobacco smoke
when can do IL Just as well and save IS.
Pm going to tackle that Job myself"
Mr.. McSwat bought some floor paint,
varnish and turpentine, and at 8 o'clock
that evening he carried the loose furniture
out Of the kitchen. mixed his paint by stir
ring in liberal quantity of turpentine and
announced himself In readiness to begin the
artistic work Of the evening.
Bring me the paintbrush, Lobelia," he
said, rolling up his sleeves and surveying
the floor with the commanding glance OF a
general who had studied the ground thor
oughly, knew the enemy's weak points and
scented victory in the air.
Mrs. McSwat retired into the summer
kitchen and emerged presently with a fat
camel's hair brush which had been used at
sundry times and in divers exigencies and
was good for all demands upon II yet.
He dipped 1t into the paint, stirred 1t
round a few times, drew it out and gave 1t
a mastery swipe along the floor.
Don't you think you'd better change
your clothes, Billiger" inquired Mrs. Mo
Swat.
Billiger looked in severe and judicial
way at a spot of fresh paint as large as a
silver dollar ON the knee of his trousers and
then he turned to his wife.
"Why didn't you speak Of 1t before. L.o-
beliaw he demanded.
"Turpentine will take 1t off,"
a. - IT, d, A,.-
rel Of turpentine Get me q clean white
rag"
The rag was brought, soaked in turpen-
| tine and applied to the spot, with the effect
| of diffusing it over a much wider area in a
mild shade Of the original color. Then Mr..
McSwat arrayed himself in suit Of old
clothes and returned to the charge.
Beginning at the portion of the floor near
the rear door Of the room, he smeared the
paint impartially in all directions. moving
backward on his hands and knees toward
! the door at the other end as the work ad-
vanced and making rapid progress.
"I've got more of 1t done already" he
said, stopping to rest little at the end Of
| 10 minutes brisk exercise, than a profess
| sional painter would have done In half an
hour"
Seems to me It looks cloudy" ventured
Mrs. McSwat, eying the painted portion
critically.
THAT'S because It dries unequally," he
replied. 1T dries faster In some places
than others. 1t will all look alike after It's
thoroughly dried What you see is only
| the reflection from the lamp over there on
the window SILL"
He dipped the brush In the paint again,
slapped it to and fro on the floor, and in q
short time the surface was entirely smeared.
"Now," he said, rising to his feet, 'as
soon as it's dry I'll put on the varnish."
"How long will 1t take to drys" inquired
his wife.
"Oply little while" he answered, touch
| the floor gingerly in several places with his
finger "You noticed I put In plenty of
turpentine, didn't youi The secret Of mix
ing paint 80 II will dry soon," he contin-
ued, wiping the brush carelessly on a rag
In order to clean It for the next operation,
''is to put In plenty Of turpentine. Bring
me the varnish. LobeliA Thanks"