The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1921-04-01
Joan's Job
BY RUBY DOUGLAS
20 usai. by Mcclure Newspaper syndicatsl


! "Art for arts sake" she had had
dinned into her artistic ears ever since
she began to know the hungry-looking
students who frequented the academy
and whom she found, after all, the
most companionable souls In the world.
But" said wise little Joan to herself,
4 must do something this summer or
there will be no art at all for me In
the autumn. must earn some
money"
Joan went so far as to make this
remark In the presence of an old
friend Of her late father, a man of
considerable importance In the bust
ness world.
Can you paint signs, JoanT' he
asked her
Joan's artistic soul quaked for mo
ment and then she spoke up bravely:
Il think could paint Sign very
well, Mr.. Butler" she replied
1--WE have difficulty In finding really
intelligent artists whom we can trust
to send up into the country to do our
advertising painting rubber tires, you
know"
Joan did know Who did net know
that well-known sign for the Wonder
Tires of the Butler Rubber company?
We've never employed woman
but now that you've got the vote" he
laughed, Il see no reason why YOU
shouldn't have all sorts of jobs"
Il know could do the work, Mr..
Butler, and might enjoy the variety
OF environment" Joan remarked.
eth be some variety up there in
the hills Of New Hampshire, believe
me, GIRL John Butler told her. But
come around to my Office tomorrow
morning and we'll make the arrange
nients."
BY evening of the following day
Joan was engaged by the Butler Rub
Der company to paint signs in certain
territory In New Hampshire overlook
ing motor routes. She WAS to have q
little car in which to travel from place
to place and very liberal expense
account. The car was to he fitted out
with a portable, folding ladder, paint
box necessary for the work and every
convenience. Joan was 50 enthusiastic
that she fairly walked upon air ali
during the week that she was getting
together. her few clothes to work In
and the necessary luggage.
Among other things, JOAN" Mr..
Butler said when he shook hands with
her on her departure. you'll learn TO
eat pie for breakfast"
''That'll be easy, Mr.. Butler. hope
everything else Will be as pleasant to
accomplish" Joan was little Derwous
as she left the city TO fOll0w the route |
map fastened on the windshield before |
her, which she should have known by |
heart, SO often had she studied Ii.
The first night found her, without |
accident or important incident, la the
heart OF the BERKSHIRE mountains i'm
an inn recommended by Mr.. butter.
She was tired of body, but ate the
homely supper and drank q glass of
milk, sought her bed and slept like a
baby.
Early the following morning she was
W. and In the dining room for the
hearty breakfast OF blueberries, cereal,
toast, bacon and pie with coffee. She
went to the garage and got out her
little car and set cut for the town In
New Hampshire, seventy-Old miles
beyond, In which she was to find the
place for her first sign.
She enjoyed the second days driv-
ng.. and the mountain mir was already
beginning TO buoy up her dropping
spirits.
The first thing that met her eye
when she arrived in the town she
sought was big, implanted barn.
'Why not sign on that?" said Joan
o herself.
1t was not long before siie had nego-
iated with the farmers wife to paint
he side of the barn with a beautiful
picture advertising the Wonder Tires.
Not only that. she had negotiated for
lOard and lodging and garage room In
be- barn during the time It would take
YER to paint the sign.
Bright and early the following
sorning she was out of doors looking
'ver the field. She had put on her
working uniform of brown wash goods
"a neat knlckerbocker suit with
ailored shirt, red lie and short
leeves She was a pretty picture on
be step-iatlder, giving the Old barn its
Irst coat OF paint.
'Dearie," called the farmers wife
bout noon that day.
Joan skipped down the ladder and /
all to the house. "Whnt is, 1t, Mrs.
iiller?' nsked Joan, feeling at home
. the motherly presence Of the farm
RS wife.
"Somethln' strange has happened.
nd | want to ask you what | had
est do. low you know more about !
uslness etiquette than do
Joan laughed. How little she really
Id know.
"A young man Just came here to
SIX II he could paint the other side
{ the barn to advertise some kind OF ,
parkin' plugs or somethin'. What |
0 you know about 'em7'
Spark plugs. guess he means, /