Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-10-18
Jotrn'a kouaa.

Johns House.
Once there was carpenter that had
| saw and Ratchet and an umbrella.
He used the saw to saw. with, the
hatchet to Ratchet with, and the um-
f, brella to keep off the rain-when it did
rain. And when 1t did not rain he used
the handle as a hammer.
Whether 1t rained or shone he was
always so happy and gay that the
neighbors all called him Cheerful John.
Now one day, when trade was dun
and Cheerful John was having a hard
time to be cheerful, large and ford
man in a light overcoat and a cherry
cclored necktie strolled into the door
and said:
Good morning, Cheerful John"
Not knowing what the fates had in
store for him. Cheerful John replied
Good morning" in his most cheerful
manner.
Then the large gentleman in the
light overcOat and cherry-colored neck
tie began to speak In most pleasing
fashion.
Cheerful john he said. II have
heard of the good work that you do
with your saw and your Ratchet and
the handle of your umbrella when it
doesn't rain. and I have come all the
way from my residence to ask you to
build me some suburban homes with
all the modern improvements, where
the overworked city dweller can get
breath of pure suburban air. 1 am
the business manager of spick and
span new company which exists for
the aforesaid benevolent purpose"
Now, Cheerful John was pleased
when he heard the business manager
speak in such a beguiIing fashion, for
trade was dull and he was afraid his
saw and his hatchet and the handle of
his umbrella would get rusty from lack
Of employment. So he accepted the
business managers offer. 1t was ar
ranged that Cheerful John was to be-
gin work the next morning.
Cheerful John was so thrilled at the
prospect of beginning that he could
scarcely finish his breakfast the next
day, and he set out in an even more
cheerful frame of mind than usual
with his saw and Ratchet under one
arm and his faithful umbrella under
the other But when he got to the
place where the house was to be built
and found the building material lying
waiting for him. what was his aston
islment to find instead of wood and
bricks nothing but heavy sheets OF
cardboard. and seventeen large cans of
paint.
There is surely some mistake said
Cheerful John. and he sought out the
business manager and told him. But
when he had concluded. the business
manager lay back in his chair and
nlew smoke wreaths from his cigar.
That's all right" he smiled blandly.
but I can't build houses out Of
cardboard" said Cheerful John. They
wouldn't be strong enough"
Certainly not" replied the business
manager. THAT is what the seventeen
cans of paint are for. If you paint the
cardboard after you've put it up that
will help hold the house together. Be-
sides, it is much cheaper to build
house of cardboard than of wood"
Cheerful John looked dubious, but.
as he had signed contracts to build the
house, he was obliged to go back and
take up the work.
He set about it as cheerfully as he
could. He put in many nails and used
lots of paint and did his very best with
the house, so that in an aStonishingly
short time it was nearly finished.
But on the morning of the day when
he was to do his last days work on 1t
he awoke and, looking from the win
dow, saw a sight that filled him with
dismay. The rain was coming down in
sheets.
Alas! Alack!" cried Cheerful John
in anything but cheerful voice.
What will become of my new card
board house?'
AS soon as he had finished breakfast
he ran off to see in such hurry that
he forgot to open his umbrella, but
carried it under his arm with his 9TH
er tools. When he came in sight of
the house he stood stock still with hor-
ror. The unfortunate cottage was
sprung at every joint and stood totter-
ing. decrepit wreck, all knees and ell
bows. Even as he looked it collapsed
with smashy sound.
Il thought it would" said Cheerful
John in more cheerful tone than he
had used for some time. and he opened
his umbrella and set out to say, Il
told you so" to the manager. But
when he got to the office, instead OF
being incensed with his tale, the man.
ager lay back in his chair and blew
smoke-wreaths from his cigar.
1T is unfortunate" said he, "for the
man that owns the house. / sold it
the day before yesterday"
But perhaps the man hasn't paid
for it?" said Cheerful John hopefully
Indeed he has, said the manager
Il saw to that. Do you see that gilt
tering gold brick that am using as a
paper weight? That is what he paid
me for the house. OF course 1t was
not worth so much as that, but gave
him the change"
That was unfortunate" said Cheer
fui John.
Yes, poor man." said the business
manager. with crocodile SIGH, II
really thought that house would last q
week."
unfortunate for you, I meant" said
Cheerful John.
"How?" said the business manager.