The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1909-12-29

:THE SIGN PAINTER. /:
How He Helped Elmer Brown to a Start in the City !
(w. R ROSE, in Cleveland Plain Dealer)


scheme. If l had nothing else to do
I'd apply for the berth of head sales
man and floorwalker. But can you
swing it?"
II think so. I'm sure Farmer
Jaynes will rent 1t to me for almost
nothing"
Better get long lease of it on
those terms" laughed the stranger.
I'm take it for a year with the
privilege of two more. 1t would cost
but little to fix it up. / can do the
carpenter work myself. And I'll put
down nice plank sidewalk to the
landing, and tbere'll be two more
windows needed, and little porch,
and a counter and shelving. They'll
let me have the lumber cheap at the
mill and l can borrow Tom Martins
horse and haul it myself. I'll have
enough money to put it in shape. I've
saved every nickel that you've paid
me, sir"
The man sighed.
Sorry it isn't more, my boy. And
I'm sorry, too, that I can't help you
| any further. I'd like to do some
thing. Anyway, I'll come around and
watch you work and shower you with
advice. Watt" His eyes suddenly
snapped. 81 have it! I'll paint ths
shop for you I'll put the signs on it.
l never did paint signs, but know I
can do it. I'll paint that shop in a
style that will draw admiring atten-
| tion all the way from Aurora to
Shorthand, People on the boat will
say, What's that bit of Oriental splen-
dor in this dark New England neck
of woods?' And they'll all get off to
see what's hidden within the glowing
outer shell. What do you say, boy?"
The boy stared at his companion.
II didn't know you could paint
signs" he said.
The man laughed.
II never painted a sign in my life.
boy" he replied. But I'm sure I
can do it. It's a fine profession
and an old one. The first attempts
at art were signs, my boy. Those
paintings on the rocks were designed
to draw attention rather than to ex-
cite admiration. Do I get the job?"
Its yours" laughed the boy.
Then there is no time to lose. If
you expect me to do good work
mustn't be hurried. Can you arrange
to let me start tomorrow"
IF l don't" said the boy, "it will
mean that the scheme is all off. I'll
see Farmer Jaynes this morning. If
l make the deal with him I can get
the lumber on the ground early in
the afternoon. Joe Hanscom is do
ing nothing just now and he will
help me with the heavier parts of
the work. You will want some dressed
boards for the signs, suppose?"
YES" replied the stranger. zone
wide one to go across the front and
some shorter ones. l can use the in
terror of the house for a paintsnop-
beg pardon-studio. And you can
cut the boards to fit my artistic suS-
gestions."
Yes the boy eagerly assensed.
I'D like to have you here while the
work is going on"
THAT sounds cordial" laughed the
man. And when we are tired we
can get into your boat and drift
about the lake. That's the poetry
OF motion for me. l wonder il there
was lake in Eden, and Adam owned
a boat"
The boat grated on the pebbles
and the boy unshipped the oars and
stepped to the beach and drew the
little craft further up
I'll go over now and see the far
mer," he said 81 just caught a
glimpse of him through the trees. He
is in the south meadow"
I'll sit here in the boat end wait
for you, boy. I've nothing better to
do-in fact, know of nothing better
that l could do-and I'm anxious
to hear the result of your interview
with the agricultural person. I've
already painted those signs in my
mind, and my fingers itch to grasp
the brushes. You'll find me here
when you come back"
"All right" said the. boy. "You
are pretty comfortable, are you?"
Yes. yes" returned the man.
run along"
The boy, with quick glance at
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