The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1870-08-16
TWO LUCKY DAYS.

William Row, who has been long since
gathered to his fathers. His son used to
tell how he owed his luck to one rainy
day. and his life or his leg to another,
thus:
When my father first set up in bust
ness, he took little shop in Oxford street.
1t rained down suddenly one morning,
and a lady ran in and said to him.
May [ ask for shelter until the rain
is over"
You are quite welcome, ma'am Sit
down in this chair, out of the draught.-
Here is a book ) you can look at the pic
lures, if you don't want to read"
The lady smiled, and sat for some time
She appeared uneasy at the protracted
raid, and frequently went to the door to
look for signs of its abating. My father
seeing this, said to her:
"Perhaps you would like me to send
for hackney coach :"
Why, no." said the lady; "I only
want to go as far as Hayward's (about
fifty yards lower DOWN. to buy some
lace.'
My father fetched his umbrella.
Here, ma am, is a bran-new silk UNI
brella, at your service; pray accept the
loan of it."
You must be a very kind person, in
deed" said the lady, to offer me your
umbrella. | am quite a stranger to you"
I'm sure you'll send it back. Let me
put it up for you. But, your shoes
have they double soles No. Black
satin slippers, as thin as dancing-pumps !
Here, Jessy, my dear, bring your pat
tens"
Pattens in those days were rather for
midable affairs. Clogs and goloshes were
not invented. Pattens were pieces Of
wood, shaped and followed to fit the foot
mounted on circular iron rings,
When my mother brought the pattens,
the lady looked at them in dismay.
=" never wore pair of pattens in my
life" said She
Never wore pattens? p said my father.
" Then, pray, get a pair directly; they
will keep your feet dry, and save you
more than their price in shoe leather"
The lady put on the pattens, and burst
out laughing
Pray excuse me; they are so absurd !;
but think | can manage TO balance my
self so, thank you for your great civility,
and / will be sure to send you back your
property as soon as [ get home"
Week after week, until six weeks were
told, slipped away and no tidings came of
the lady. My father was nicely joked by
the neishbors about his new silk umbrel-
la and my mothers pattens; but he al
ways told them that he was sure the
things would come back some day or
other.
One morning, fine carriage, with
couple Of tall footmen behind, carrying
gold-headed canes, stopped at our door.
A lady got out; the identical lady to
whom my father had lent his umbrella.
You must forgive me- said she, =" for
keeping your umbrella so long; but |
was obliged to 90 to Spain to my hus-
band, who is with Wellington, and l re-
turned only last night. Here is your
umbrella-not the worse for wear, [ hope
dnu dooSPp my bhanho lol VIC ioih VI
it. Pray let me speak word to your
good lady"
My mother came into the shop, and the
lady, calling one OF the footmen, asked
him for the parcel on the seat in the car
riage. When it was brought and opened,
it contained my mothers pattens, and
beautiful Spanish merino shawl, which
the lady insisted on her accepting.
"And here" she said, taking out a
long strip of paper and giving it to my
father: I've put down few things l
want Lord Groogroo has given me this
other list. Please send them to the ad-
dresses on these cards Good morning;
| shall not forget you"
And this lady proved no less person
age than the Marchioness Crickcrack
| afterwards learned that Lady Crick-
crack, when her purchases were compile
ted, walking over to her house in Dean
street-Dean street was then full of no.
blemen's mansions-and there, meeting
with party of distinguished people,
told them the story of the umbrella and
the pattens. The pattens were ordered