Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1861-03-15
MISS MkRY's BLUE HAT.

| he
From the Springfield Republican.
| My friend Kelly was walking down MAR
street, Milwaukee, last autumn, in brown
study upon some abstruce subject, his yisior
horizontal and vacant, his step rapid and care
less, when, just as he had fordcd one of the
cross streets, and lifted one foot to place i,
upon the curbstone, a big but cowardly vel
low dog came sweeping along, followed by q
black animal Of the same species. The spec
linen, oblivious of all things but the object Of
pursuit, as every dog should be on such ar
occasion, and possibly somewhat under the
control of his own momentum, struck Kel.
ly's perpendicular leg while the other was
walking and knocked it out from under him
My friend went down instantcr. His glossy
beaver bounced upon the pavement and con-
tinucd its journey. while his shawl struck
against a shcp-man's window like paper
pellet on wall.
Kelly gathered himself together, picked
himself up and looked after the dog who had
done the mischief, expecting to find him
shove to" in canine dismay Mt the accident
he had caused; but to his utter astonish.
mcnt, the animal seemed as regardless of his
equilibrium as of any other trivial matter and
was making after the aforesaid yellow dog al
as great speed as thought he had not tipped
over the best fellow in Wisconsin.
While my friend was down, a clear, musi-
cal, girlish laugh had rung out upon the open
air. 1t was so evidently spontaneous, so
charmingly musical, was so suddenly checked
and had withal SO good cause, that Kelly
could hardly be angry or Disconnected
When the gentleman had recovered from
- I, 4 -
ruped, he bethought himself of the music
There were half !: dozen ladies in view; but
by trigonomctrical calculation, he reached
the conclusion that the laugh must have
como from either dainty little blue hat,
with delicate straw colorcd trimmings, or a
decided sober and ancient brown onc---thc
two being in conjunction. Of course he fas-
tened upon the blue hat; for never since the
flood did grave, questionable bonnet give
out such gushing music as that.
Kelly was not city gcntleman-not he.
He was squire in rural town--a leader OF
town affairs. A man OF rank. to whom the
village politicians looked for the shrewdest
counscls on whom abused people called for
advice and redress into whose hands friend
less widows put the management of their
scanty estate, sure that all would be done
for them and their little ones that tact, fidcl-
ity and warm heart could accomplish.
The blue hat WAS a city hat, and the brown
hair it covered, together Will, the hazel eyes
that sparklei in front Of it, were Of city
growth. Bat the sober brown bonnet was
on a rural aunt Of good dimensions, both in
person and in heart.
Before the catastrophe which brought out
the laughter, the aunt was listening very at
tcntivcly to the little lady's very eager re-
quest, that she would try and procure her a
school near her country home; after the ac-
ci,lcnt, the brown bonnet gave very appro-
pirate and impressive lecture on the impro.
priety OF laughing out that way ''whcn the
street was full of folks"
."Why, who could help it, auntie? Did
you ever see anything so funny? laugh -
didn't laugh-it laughed itself. Oh dear ~
and then the little figure trembled from hat
to slipper under the shaking of suppressed
merriment. Indeed, to escape another lee
ture, she had to cover lips. nose and eyes
almost, in scented linen canbric.
swell, you sees auntie," said the little
blue hat, recurring to the former topic, faith
cr isn't rich--indced, don't think he is as
well off as he seems to be; and the family is
largc--alI girls too, just Lill of expense.
you know; and don't like to have father
furnish me music lessons any longer. for
know he can't afford it. But wouldn't
give up my music for the world; only want
to pay part of the expense myself Father
isn't able-he looks more and more care
worn every day. am really afrai!," and the
voice fell, and became very serious, 81 am
really afraid things are going wrong with
him. Besides, want to be doing something
I'm better girl when feel that I am not
dronc and dependent. Yes, aunty, Unjust
and viii have school-there! Will you
help me
The brown bonnet caught the girls enthu-
siasm, and promised.
You must have known reader. from the
brief description Of my friend Kelly. that he
was the town superintendent. Who else
was so well qualified to look after the inter-
ests of the public schools. One morning at
six o'clock-my friend rises at Ave, and has
a good FIRE in his Office and an appetite for
breakfast Mt six, a. rap fell upon the outer
door. Kelly rose and opened it.
'tGood morning ladies' walk in.''
The brown bonnet said "good morning"
with dignity; the blue hat pronounced the
same timidly and both passed in.
any niece would like to be examined, to
take the school in orr district"
"Certainly," said the town superintendent,
LAYING his poker on tho table, " Certainly.
your aunt beg pardon your niece shall be
examined madam. Warm morning. mama, .
wiping the prcspiration from his face with a
sheet Of paper
" Bless you it's the coolest morning we've
had this fall" said tho astonished amt -
!" Why Mary's face has bccn like poony, all
the way riddin' In the wind. Jest look at
~ ="