Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-03-16
The Argus Daily Short Story
Patchwork House-gy Clarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted. by Associated Literary Press.

leach OF his wlfes restraining hand.
This house has got to be painted one
color or none at all. It's going to be
light green"
Joshua Hallam passed through the
hall and entered a transverse passage
way that led to the north and south
wings. where his sons dwelt in their
respective homes.
His knock ut Henry's door brought
Mrs. Henry Hallam's generously pro-
portioned form, suugly arrayed in the
latest fashion, before his observant
eye.
Gee, Maria. thought at first you
was Mrs. Pierpont Vanderaster" he
said loosely as he sat down. where's
Hemp
He went down to the village awhile
ago. Said he'd be back before sup
per" Maria looked rather conscious
as she said this. ard her expression
was not lost upon her father-in-law.
az just came up from the hardware
store; it's a wonder I didn't see him."
said Joshua heartily. 81 been ordering
paint for the house and its just come
Dibble and his men are coming UP to-
morrow 70 begin"
I'VE thought we wouldn't have Dib-
Bile. Henry's engaged Jones TO paint
ours
He hasP exploded Joshua. "Jchn
Dibble's always painted this house
ever since I've been ia it, and guess
he's going to paint it now"
rs he going to paint it pea green or
redT' Naria's voice was icy cool.
Light gTeen-thats the color"
ours is going to be red" asserted
Maria, with her most provoking smile,
and because he had never quarreled
with Maria and now did not know
what to say Joshua shook his head
angUily and went away.
His visit to the south wing was
quite as unsatisfactory. Said Jim:
Now, Susie, here. she's alwayS
wanted to live in yellow house.
When she was a girl, before she was
married, she says she always planned
that when she had a house Of her own
she'd have it yellow"
Susie nodded her head. That's what
I always said" she agrsed heavily.
why is tt none Of you ever set up
TO say what you wanted before thls?"
snarled Joshua angriIy. 81 never heard
no diSa Ereement about living in this
here green house when / give you a
roof over your heads. l recollect
Susie, here, saying she just liked
green, it was so cool looking"
4 meant I liked yellow" said Susie
stubbOrnly.
Paint it yellow then" said Joshua.
turning on lis heel. Il shan't stop you.
The house VIII look like q crazy patch
wCrk-thHts what it will"'
MY parts going to be cream color"
said Lucy with decision when her irate
father sought her gentle presence III
Maria and Susan have had their choice
! don't see why l can't have my part
painted TO suit me Walter says he
knows where he cen get a lot of cream
colored paint real cheap"
What VIII this place look hker"
Numbered her father.
"Itu look real unique" said Lucy
,almiy as her father stamped back
ieain through the crooked little pas
that led to his own part Of
he house.
They're crazy, every one Of them"
le said to his wife Is they sat down
o supper that night Let EN- paint
heir houses any old color they like.
they'll be the Isughingstock OF the
-ulage. As near rs I can find out
here's four painters coming tonor-
ow. and each gang is going to paint
ne Of the wings. Well, ours will be
ight green"
At that moment Maria was telling
Ienry that she was glad theirs was 20
e red, and Jim and Susan were tell
ne their painter they wanted a bright
olden yellow, and walter Pratt had
Did Lucy that he had secured the bar
ain IN cream color
Late the next afternoon Lucy's
Dung daughter. amy, stood by the
rolt gate as her grandfather came
trough. She ives = pretty girl. with
ying yellow cl,S and blue eyes. L