New-York tribune., 1896-07-28
DECORATED BY 4 MAILBOI.
WHEN THE PORTER FOUND PAINT ON HIM.
SELF, HELET OTHERS GET PAINTED ALSO.

A man wearing a three-year-old straw hat and a
pair of faded blue overas wandered up Slxth-ave.
yesterday. stopping every now and then al thited
States mai.box. which he forthwith painted red.
When he reached Forty -second-st. and Sxth-ave.
he found box badly In need OF paint. and spent
some time in giving it new coat of brilliant car
mine. He worked in lesurey fashion, as Gov
ernmept employcs sometimes do. and when he had
completed the task he took out piece or paper
which had the word Paint" printed upon IT, This
he tied on the box with string. and then started
about his business never noticing that the wind mad
almost Immediately blown the sign wrong side out.
rendering II useless far as warning people OF the
danger of the fresh paint was concerned.
A few moments afterward a porter from nearby
club came running down the street with handful
Of mail At the corner he met a friend, and at
once plunged into conversation with him While de-
posting the letters. So eDgrossed was he that nc
took no notice Of the string paint. fair share
OF the red paint came off on his hand and was soon
conveyed to his ear which he scratched as he
listened to his friends discourse. Then he bade his
friend goodby shaking him by the hand.
"IIully gee"' claimed his friend. What's the
matter with your hand? You're all covered with
blood
''Bloodr' exclaimed the frightened porter An ex-
animation followed and the trouble was soon traced
to the mailbox. Then with broad grins the two
stepped 10 one side apd waited 10 see who e.se
would suffer from the sothful painters negligence
They had not long to wait.
Hello. Bily!"
Hello. old man. And two friends met near the
mailboy.
Say Billy. Just step over here out OF the way a
moment. l want to tell you about that new deal Of
ours" And over to the bright red box they went.
while "Bnly' proceeded to lift his arm. resting 1t
on the box for support The porter and his friend
e,ggled with delight Then the two men with a
deal" parted each hurrying in an opposite direc-
ton and IL took Billy all the Of the day 70
explain TO his friends and family how he came 10
have the whole Of his right sleeve and shoulder
stained with red paint
The policeman Of the beat soon came pacing down
the street with his chest thrown out ard his head
well back. The one OF his favorite rest
ing spots. With stately tread he marched up 70
the fatal red box and g.ancing the street turnel
his back and rested IL against the fresh paint 1he
porter and his friend slapped themselves with de-
light. Then the policeman. seeing couple OF hne-
rubbing his arm lazily over the box. crossed his
legs and posed Suddenly his nose wrnkl'd He
shifted the air He glanced at the box and made a
jump Of ten feet. In rueful manner n examined
the condition Of his clothes The porter and his
friend were in paroxysm OF JOY. The policeman
was heard to recite little monologue. A small
crowd gathered to console with the policeman, while
through was pushed in the direction Of the box
and took away what paint had been left by the
policeman
II is not unlikely that the painter will be reproved
by the inspector for negecting to paint Of Uncle
Sans mailboxes at Sixth-ave and Forty-second-st.