Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 62, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 March 1911 — WERE PROUD OF THEIR PAPA [ARTICLE]

WERE PROUD OF THEIR PAPA

But Artistic Development of Parent Really Waa Due to His Poor Eyesight. "We are proud of you, papa,” said the man’s three handsome daughters. “Oh, you are?” said he beamingly. “And what have I done now?” “You 'have acquired taste in art,” ■aid the handsomest of the trio. “I don’t mind telling you now that there was a time when we despaired of your over appreciating the classic. Thank goodness, you have iminoved under our tuition until you can pick out the really beautiful every time. Instead of admiring the razzle-dazzle, topsyturvy designs in architecture and decorations that formerly pleased you, you now choose the simple and easy lines of pure ■Part." “Thank yoy, my dears,” said the, man. “I am J glad you kept hammering away at me so persistently.” * ‘ When his daughters had left The room the man took off his glasses and rubbed them thoughtfully. “Well, what do you think of that?” he said. “I have become artistic, have I? And why? Because my eyesight , is so poor. That is the only reason. Those fantastic, curlycue figures that used to please my taste no longer appeal to me, because they hurt my eyes.. I am driven to classic lines in. self-defense. Most people of my age are. I once heard an art dealer say that half the people who thought they ~had,_d„eyeloped the artistic temperament with years had only ruined their eyes and needed glasses. I know now that he was talking That is my case exactly. I like those outlandish patterns in carpets and wall paper and things as well as ever, but I wouldn’t have the girls know it for anything.”