The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-17
YELLOW FLAG OF LOAFINGs
Plan of an Artist by Which He Saves
Himself From His Friends.

Plan of an Artist by Which He Saves
Himself From His Friends.
New York Letter in Chicago Inter-Ocean.
An artist whose habits are convivial,
but who is willing to work if no one calls
on him, removed to a suburban town last
summer SO that he might finish a lot of
illustrations which he had promised.
New York is all right" he said to his
friends, but 1 know too many people
here, and my friends keep calling on me
in my studio, and this sadly interferes
with my work. l have selected Lonely
vile because my wife likes it and l know
absolutely no one in the place. L have
orders for years work, and l simply
must do it on time. You fellows may
come out to see me on Sundays, but not
on week days"
Several weeks later some of his friends
from New York went out TO see the artist
on Sunday and they found him enthu-
siastic about the place.
There Is a fine lot of fellows here,'
he said, land l have enjoyed the town
immensely. l have joined yacht club, a
bowling club, whist club, and a Satur-
day night smoker club. Found several
old friends out here also"
But l thought you came here so that
,
ruption,' said one of his callers
well, yes, that was my reason, and
as soon as | have met all the boys and
each of them has made his call on me [
can settle down and make up for lost
time"
A month later the publishers for whom
this artist worked began to complain that
they had received no illustrations from
him. The artist made promises and broke
Finally nj q
out TO Lonelyyille to investigate. He
waited for him, and then laid down the
law to him.
This book must come out on time"
said the publisher, land l win give Won
just one month more IN which to finish
your Illustrations. If they are not done
then we will get another man and never
give you any more work.
When the publisher left the artist said tn
his wife: Now, what am | going to do
about this? 1 can't possibly tell my friends
to stay away for month. They wouldn't
understand my purpose. The COMMITTEES
from the yacht club is coming here to-
morrow afternoon, and on the following,
day l expect some of the whist club men,
and so it goes. What am 1 to do?"
The artists wife was ingenious. and she
explained a little scheme of her own 10
her husband. When the committee from
the yacht club called the following day
they saw big, yellow flag flying over
the door. Underneath 1t was big pla-
card, on which was printed: Keep off.
Contagious disease here" They did keep
off and soon all Lonelyville knew about II.
The local health officer went around to
investigate and after short conversa-
ton with the artists wife, he went away
with a broad smile on his face. When the
other Inhabitants of Lonelyville Question:
ed him about the case he looked Serious
and said that he was not al liberty to saw
what the disease was, but that no one was
likely to catch ii, unless he went into the
house. During the next month that Gag
waved and no one saw the artist The
publisher got his Illustrations, and then
The flag was hauled down, and the health
officer came and announced that it would
be safe to call on the artist. His friends
in the town came around to see him and
congratulate him on his recovery He
certainly didn't look like a man who had
been through a serious illness.
What was the disease?" they asked.
"I,oahng" said the artist, seriously. He
then explained that he had quarantlned
the house, not against loafing within. but
a against his friends, who might come and
infect him with II. The idea of the yellow
flag impressed his acquaintance and In
accordance with their advice the artist
still uses It. -Four or five days a week
this flag flies before his door, and none OF
his friends call. AS soon as 1t is hauled
down, they know that the artist Is ready