Litchfield enquirer., 1861-03-21
MlisleilollD.
MISS MARY'S BLUE HAT.
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 My friend Kelly was walking down Main street, Milwaukee, last autumn, in brown study upon some absurd subject, his vision horizontal and vacant his step rapid and careless, when, just as he had forded one of the cross streets, and lifted one fOtt 10 pace it upon the curb stone, a big but cowardy yellow dog came sweep ing along. followed by black animal of the same species The specimen obivious of all things but the object of pursuit, as every dog should be on such aa occasion, and possibly somewhat under the control of his own momen- tum. struck Kelly perpendicular leg while the other was walking, and knocked it out from un der him. My friend went down instanter. His glossy beaver bounced upon the pavement and against a shop mans s window like paper pellet on wall.
 Kelly gathered himself together, picked him self up and looked after the dog who had done the mischief, expecting to find him "hove to- in canine dismay at the accident he had caused but to his utter astonishment, the animal seemed as regardless of his equilibrium as of any other trivial matter and was making after the afore- said yellow dog at as great speed as though he had not tipped over the best fellow in Wis consn.
 While my friend was down, a clear, musical girlish laugh had rang out upon the open air. | musical was so suddenly checked, and had with al so good cause, that Kelly could hardly be angry or disconnected.
 When the gentleman had recovered from his surprise at the heedlessness of the quadrup}d he bethought himself of the music. There were half dozen ladies in view but by trigonom etrical calculation, he reached the conclusion that the laugh must have come from either s dainty little blue hat, with delicate straw coloreG sl trimmings, or decided sober and ancient browr ens-the two being in conjunction. Of course he fastened upon the blue hat; for never since the flood did grave, unfashionable bonnet give out such gu hing music as that.
 Kelly was not city gentleman-not he. He was squire in rural town-a leader cf towl affairs A man of rank, to whom tie vllag' politicians looked for the shrewdest counsels to whom abused people call for advice and re dress ; into whose hands friendless widows pu | the management of their scanty estates, sur l that all would be done for them and their littl ones that tact, fidelity and warm heart coul, accomplish.
 ? The blue hat was city hat, and the browl hair it covered, together with the hazel eyes tha sparkled in front of it, were of city growth. Bu the sober brown bonnet was on rural aunt c good dimensions, both in person and in heart.
 Before the catastrophe which brought out tn laughter, the aunt was listening very attentivel to the little ladys very eager request, that sh : would try and procure her a school near he !. country home atter the accident, the brow 2 bonnet gave a very appropriate and impressiv lecture on the impropriety of laughing out l ss that way {. when the street was crowded wit , people"
 .swhy, who could help it, auntief Did 70 I. ever see anything so funny? Laugh didn = laugh-it laughed itself. Oh dear r and the
 the little figure trenlbled from hat to slipper U
 der the shaking of suppressed merriment. Fl
 lips nose and eyes almost,in scented linen car brio.
 be We'll, you'see, auntie,' said the little bl1 That, recurring to the former topic, father isr