Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-09-18
Miss HIary's Jaunty Blue Hat, and
What liz AcCOmpIis he'd.

My friend Kelly was walking down the street
last Autumn, in a brown study on some obtruse
subject, his vision horizontal and vacant, his
step rapid and careless, when just as he had for
ded one of the cross streets, and lifted one foot
TO place it upon the cuTbstone, big but COW
ardly yellow dog came sweeping along. followed
by black one of the same species. The speci-
men oblivious of ali things hut the object of pur-
suit, as every dog should be on such an Ooca-
sion, and possibly unGer the control of his own
momentum. struck Kelly's perpendicular leg
while the other was walking, and knocked it out
from under him. BY friend went down instan-
| ter. His glossy beaver bounced upon the pave
ment and continued its journey, while his shawl
struck against shOpman's window like pellet
on the wall.
Kelly gathered himself together, picking HIM
self up, expecting to find him hove to- in canine
cismay at the accident he had caused, but to his
| utter astonshment the animal seemed as regard
! less of his equilibrium of any other trivial
matter, and was making after the aforesaid vel
low dog with as great speed as though he had
not tripped over the best fellow in town.
While my friend was down, a clear, musical,
girlish laugh had rung upon the open air. 1t
sical, was so suddenly checked, and was withal
so good cause that Kelly could hardly be an
cry or disconnected.
When the gentleman had recovered from the
| heedlessness Of the quadruped, he bethought
| himself of the music. There were half dozen
| ladies in view; but by trigonometrical calcu-
lation, he reached the conclusion that the laugh
must have come from either dainty little blue
| hat, with delicate trimmings, or a decided sober
and ancient brown one-the two being in on
| junction. OF course he fastened upon the blue
hat, for never since the food, did a grave un-
fashionable bonnet give out such gushing music
as that.
Kelly was not city gentleman-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 counsels; on whom
abused people called for advice and redress; into
whose haEds friendless widows put the manage
ment of their scanty estates, sure that all would
be done for them and their little ones that tact,
| fidelity and a warm heart could accomplish.
| The blue hat was city hat, and the brown
hair it covered, together with the hazel eyes that
| sparkled in front of it. were of city growth.
| But the sober brown bonnet rural aunt
of good dimensions, both in person and in heart
| Before the catastrophe which brought out the
laughter, the aunt was listening very atteRtively
to the lady's eager request that she should try
and procure her a school near her country home.
| After the accident, the brown bonnet gave very
appropriate and impressive lecture on the impro-
| priety of laughing out in that way, when the
street was full of folks
why, who could help it, Aunty7 Did you
ever see anything SO funny 2-Laugh. l didn't
laugh-it laughed itself. Indeed to escape an
other lecture she hal to cover her lips, nCse and
eyes almost, in scented linen cambric.'
Why you see. Aunty,' said the blue hat, re-
curing to the former topic, father isn't rich
indeed, don't think he is as well off as he seems
to be; and the family is large-all are girls too,
just bill of expense, you know; and 1 don't
ike 10 have father furnish me music lessons any
longer, for l know he can't afford it. But l
| wouldn't give up my music lessons 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. 1 am really afraid and thC
voice fell and became very serious. I'm really
afraid things are going wrong with him. Be-
sides want to be doing something. I'm bet
ter girl when feel that Pm not drone ant
dependant. Yes aunty, must and viii have
school-there, VIII you help me p
The brown bonnet caught the girls enthusi
asm ard she promised.
You must have known, reader, from the de
scripticn of my friend Kelly, that he was towr
superintendent Who else was 50 qualified tC
look after the interest of the public school ? On
morning at six o'clock-my friend rises at NV
and has a good fire in his Office and an appetit
for breakfast at Ska rap fell upon the quite
door. Kelly rose and opened it
Good morning, ladies, walk in
The brown bonnet said Good morning. Wit
with dignity, the blue hat pronounced the sam
timidly. and both passed IN
Ny niece would like to be examined, to tax
the school in our district
Certainly said the town superintendent
laying the poker on the table. Certainly, You
aunt-beg pardon-your niece shall be exam
iued. madam Warm morning ma'am.' wipin
the pcrspiration from his face with a sheet
r writing paper
Bless you. its the coolest morning we've ha
S this fall said the astonished aunt. Why Mary
face has been like posey, ali the way ridin'
the wind. just look at it,
= There was no need, for my friend had see
something more than the blue hat, some mil
| utes before. Certainly, madam, certainly-ver
= : red-I mean very cold, indeed, ma'am, very
The town superintendent was not long, how
ever in getting better possession of his facuitie
c and at length the examination commenced
S Your residence, if you please SAID kell
: blandly.