San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-28


supper count of havin' to beat 'em off
all the time. Couldn't sleep at night,
either, they pestered him so. He sent
man up with screen doors the next
mornin'. But" Mrs. Rice concluded,
tying her sunbonnet with precision,
''she may Guido him in small matters,
but don't see no way of her gittin'
him into paintin' that house"
Prue herself was beginning to feel
some doubts on that poiut. She had
preached the subject to Jim several
times, but with no success. Her hus-
band fatty refused to spend any money
in having the house reprinted.
at makes the blood go rushin' ali
over my face to hear folks deridin' it
and usin' it as sort of a landmark
that house with the paint wore off, ."
Prue urged, with hot cheeks.
81 don't think I'd waste my time in
blushin' for house, if was you," Jim
returned stolidly.
II amt blushin' for the house." re-
torted Prue., I'm blushin' for the man
that owns it."
Jim prided himself on his even TEN
per, but at this point he was surprised
to find himself growing angry.
II guess 1 can do my own blushin',
and take care of my own house, too"
he said, hotly.
Prue gave cool little laugh. "'Tain't
your house any longer. You forgit you
endowed me with it in the marriage
service, streaks and all"
"You amt got any idea how much it
costs to paint a house, Prue?" he ar
gued.
THAT'S so, it would be a real USE
full lesson to me. Let's begin it Mon
day."
Jim rose angrily. well, if don't
want to have this house painted, I'd
like to see you git me to have it done"
"Oh, you'd like to-" Prue smiled.
"Well, as it's my object in life to please
you, I'll do my best"
women folks seem to think it's so
ALFRED easy to make money" Jim
growled, as he went out of the door.
You'd better try it once and see what
it's like" ne called back over his Shout
der.
IF 1 only could" Prue ruminated,
as she moved brislSly about the kitchen.
"Seems's if I'd oughter be able to think
up somethin'. I've got all day to do it
in. Jim's gone to South Danville and
won't be back till late this afternoon,
so shan't have any dinner to get"
She was busy with her household
duties for the next two hours, and
when she at last put on her pink sun
bonnet, and started down the road in
the direction of old Mrs. Rice's house,
no plan had yet occurred to her. She
walked thoughtfully, with her mind
still intent on the disputed question.
Il won't give it up" she said, half
aloud. II UiU think of somethin'
if"-she stopped suddenly and her
whole face frightened. Then she gave
a delighted laugh and flew across the
road.
In the shade of tall elm sat a man,
tanning himself with battered straw
hat. Beside him stood a bucket of
paint with brush sticking out of it.
Mrs. Rice, her brown eyes dancing
with triumph, entered into an Animal
ed converse ton with the stranger, and
presently the two disappeared up the
road side by side.
When James Rice drove into Dane
vile at sunset that day he was hailed
from doorway by Deacon Gibbs. The
deacon's round little face was shining
with merriment.
Say, JIM" he began, strolSing his
beard to hide the convulsive twitchings
of his lips, you on yer way home?
Wall, you've no idee how poplar the
turnpike roads been to-day. Kind of
promenade for the hull town"
That's so; it's been a real red-letter
day up ter your domicile," drawled Mr..
Barnes, coming out of the store to join
in the conversation.
The bystanders, who had gathered
about Jim's buggy, broke into loud
laughter.
Its a real comfort to see a man
willin' to air his convictions like Jim
does" observed one man, admiringly.
Jim gathered up his reins with an
angry frown.
You're passed. of fools, and I don't
know whatyou're drivin' at" he retort-
ed, touching the mare with his whip.
"You mean you don't know what
you're drivin' to-" shouted Mr.. Barnes
after the retreating buggy.
Jim drove hurriedly until the village
was left behind and the jeers of his
tormentors died away in the distance;
then he allowed the brown mare to
drop into an easy trot.
III be jiggered if l know what
those fools meant" he ruminated.
''It's some joke on me, that's sartin,
but why the whole town should be in
it can't for the life of me see If it's
any-Go-ri!''
The mare had stopped at the hitch
ing-post in front of his house, but her
master sat motionless in the buggy.
Once he closed his eyes, as if to dispel
the illusion, only to open them and
find that the hideous vision had not
disappeared.
In gigantic red capitals, sprawling
all over the front of the house, were
painted the words:
''LAsHAfAN's YEAST is THE BEST"
They were crazy-looking letters,