Evening star., 1949-07-09
This and That
By Charles Z. Trace1DeH

'"~11 nave Deen lntenolng 10 ask you Wnere
Temp Jones throws those dimes Of you
know who that he never keeps?" writes M.
A. S. Of Arlington. II revere them"
We wondered about that, ourself so went
over to Jones house that evening to find out.
The Jones home is in piece Of woods.
Just before you come to 1t, there is bend
in the road.
Standing there. Just before the turn, you
see no house at all.
There are big trees. and bit Of brook,
and that is all.
You think maybe you have lost your way
Then you make turn, and there is the
house.
1t is a dream place, with something Of
the fantasy of the inimitable Jones' himself.
Four great concealed electric fans at the
four corners Of the place keep all the leaves
on the trees and other foliage blowing gayly.
AS we went in the gate we saw three white
peacocks on the lawn.
1t is a picture lawn Every blade of grass
Is as green as the Emerald Isle, and each
blade exactly the same length as its millions
OF cousins.
There were so squirrels eating great red
tomatoes, especially grown for them.
There were Is big white rabbits playing
with rs black cats.
The moving mixture Of white and black
all in the greatest amity. reminded one of
the biblical Injunction to turn swords into
plowshares so that lions and lambs could
lie down together.
There was q pool, in which myriads Of
cleaning fish swan lazily.
When we opened the gate. the sounds Of
Brahms First Symphony flooded the
grounds.
We were aware that Templeton Jones sub
mits to no Grass door bells, but this an
nouncement Of q guest with the strains Of
the opening movement Of q great symphony
was something new.
Flashing red, white and blue lights began
to unfold into a greeting across the entire
house.
Welcome to the home Of the JONES'" the
lights said.
There was sudden pause, loud whistle
taken, we recognized from the circus band
records-and then came the clash and flash
of true Brazilian samba.
X ~
At this, the door opened. and there stood
the Jones family. with their three wire
haired terriers, which ran down the steps
scattering the squirrels and the cats and
the white rabbits in all directions
Inc varying lines OF color over the lawn
ended as the dogs came back to heel. The
rabbits again began gnawing at gigantic
carrots grown for their benefit in a small
park adjoining the tomato bed
The squirrels resumed their sampling Of
the succulent tomatoes, while the Is black
cats roamed here and there over the lawn
after catnip.
IT never saw your place look better" We
said.
Templeton Jones smiled.
II have added few improvements" he
said. modestly.
But the white peacocks-"
They are my latest. You see, they add
certain touch. White is the color-I insist
on calling it color-that adds most to all
other colors. am glad you came this eve
ming. I want you to hear my latest album,
one of Anton Bruckner's things"
Before we go in," we said, "there is a
question I want to ask. What do you do
with the Roosevelt dimes? Do you throw
them across the Potomac?"
Impossible" smiled Templeton Jones.
Then do you throw them across the Rap
pahannock?"
Even that is impossible"
Then what do you do with them?"
TT is simple" replied Templeton Jones
II put them In q piggy bank, and give them
to the church"