Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-11-05
THE CRIMSON UMBRELLA.

In the Methodist Recorder, (London, } wa
ind the following story of crimson um-
Orella, which, while it contains good hit
at the public, which is ever ready 10 meddle
WIN business IN no wise concerning it, has
moral also for class of relormers who ara
ready TO set themselves in opposition TO
popular opinion in matters involving no
question of morals or principle:
"Some years ago, an English gentleman
arrived at his lodgings in Pail Mall, with a
bright crimson colored cotton umbrella in
his possession. The article was one in COM
mon use in the country from which he had
come, and he had bought it without thought.
few days residence in the climate Of
England naturally occasioned the use of an
umbrella, and he took his foreign acquisition
with him into the streets of London. It
answered his purpose; it kept off the rain,
and our hero was not particular about the
indifferent accidents of color and fabric.
But he soon became aware that his appear
ance was creating sensation. Every one
turned and stared after HIM; the crossing.
sweeper stood aghast and forgot to beg; then
a little crowd gathered at his heels, and peo.
pie began TO give expressions to their opin-
ION. Some said he was a foreign spy; some
thought he was Red Republican refugee;
but all agreed that he was an exceptional
and dangerous person. Being man of plain
common-sense, he at once concluded that
this was too heavy a cost to bear for the sake
OF a five-shilling umbrella; so he folded up
the too remarkable article, and submitted to
a spIinkling on his way home.
"a few days afterward, he was visited by
gentleman not very much in the habit Of
deierring to public opinion; who was, indeed,
rather fond of being remarkable. An Eng
iish shower was falling when this guest took
leave, and the owner of the umbrella while
telling the story, offered HIM the loan of 1t.
The dauntless dandy laughed at his friends
weakness, and sailed forth canopied by the
bright crimson. There was the same sensa-
lion. AT first, he was pleased 10 be the
object of attention. But the crowd began
TO accumulate; the little boys asked him
| questions the cads of the omnibusses, alwaYa
iuimical to umbrellas, shouted impertinent
observations TO him; the crowd pressed upon
him; and when people asked each other
what was the matter, guesses soon grew inlo
the form OF actual assertions. Sometimes
he was a ticket of leave man; sometimes be
was identified with some notorious criminal
of whom the police were in search. The
popular hostility was too great even for him;
he returned the umbrella.
"The original proprietor told his story 10
many, and among others, to young man
ot determined but rather bilious tempera-
ment, who did everything, to the pairing Of
his nails and the tying of his cravat, on prin-
ciple. He was indignant at the popular
tyranny. What was there in the color Of
m umbrellaF There was no moral harm IN
bright crimson. He would set himself
against the despotism OF the public. He
took the umbrella, with all its responsible
ties, and persisted in caTyingit. He alwaYl
had little mob OF urchins at his heels; he
A was three times IN a police office; he wa!
!; often hustled and robbed; twice his umbrella
: was broken to pieces and he had another
/, made upon the same pattern. The compan
4 ship OF his umbrella became more importan
n to him than his business; he was even ready
y to be martyr in the cause of bright Grim
l. son. The story says that in the end, HI
% grew morose, and, as some thought no
g quite right in his mind, because crimson um
}, orellas would not come into fashion,