The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-06-02
THE PAINTER +
| AND THE SIGN. |
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By ROBERT C. McELRAvY..
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CHE noticed him the first day he
~ came; noticed them both. l
make no particular apology for the
confession, and in fact am now so hard
ened that / take particular pleasure
In the recollection. At first I had the
Same moral right to watch the young
painter at his work that she had, OF
any other roomer in the block, for that
matter. After the affair became in
volved, which it did so gradually that
at first I scarcely recognized the in
roads Of Cupid, acknowledge that
for time conscientious qualms min
gled frequently with the pleasure !
experienced in overhearing their re-
marks, but after a day or two the de-
lights Of eavesdropping swept all my
computations to the winds.
First the carpenters put the sign
board up. She and could hear the
noise Of the operation early in the
morning, and reached our windows
simultaneously. We watched them q
little while, mentally debating, or al
least was, as to the probable length
Of time the hammering would continue
Turning, she seemed bit confused to
see me leaning out at the next window
thanked heaven that I was old and
white-haired and decrepit; otherwise
am sure she would have drawn back
hastily into her room. AS it was, !
spoke to her and she smiled. Our Won
derment as to the work going on below
took words, and We discussed the mat
ter thoroughly. The immense sign
board reached from the ground up to
our windows, which were on the Sec
ond floor, and when the job was COM
pleted we understood only too plainly
that the mercenary disposition of our
landlord was about to wreck the ap-
pearance Of our lodging-house. For
myself, was in no position to allow
trifles like sign-boards, loaded down
with glaring advertisements, to coerce
me into changing my quarters. An
old man with scant income, and be-
yond the power of increasing it, is not
apt to be squeamish about his living
quarters.
a, The girl, however, In q pretty, pout.
ing way, was greatly displeased with
the commercial acquisition, albeit,
am afraid, with a compulsory forti
tude equal to my own. Young girls
who sew for living can scarcely af.
ford to be too particular either.
But about the painter He put II
appearance about the third day, afte,
the board had received a coat Of white
paint at the hands Of two young fel
lows, who conyersed loudly and chewet
an immense amount of plug tobacco
The painter. can scarcely call him al
. artist, although some Of his brushes
were quite fine, made a favorable i'm.
preston with us from the arst. Aftel
the preliminary racket caused by thu
rigging and adjustment of his, swing
= the work took on a comparative quie
In ito execution, and he moved abou
with fascinating deftness that it wa!
really pleasure to witness.
sS"I am glad there is to be NO NOR,
noise below us, at any rate" said tn,
girl to me as the young man bega1
his measurements, following each will
the slurring sound Of a soft pencil.
Yes, it will indeed be relief"
replied, mentally remarking on tn
fpndness have always felt for the bru
netts tvpe Of beauty.