The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-08-31
SHE I|5RIBt|HE.
Official City and County Paper
MY OLD UMBRELLA.

/ always prided myself on the natti-
ness of my appearance before | wss mar
ried; and there vas one particular
thing which [ liked to have stylish, it
was my umbrella. The best silk and tie
finest frames were hardly good enough,
and my umbrella was generally about as
slim and nicely shaped as cane: so
much SO .nat Brown used to chaf me
continually about its appearance, and
say &c was a bachelors umbrella-his
being almost the size of Mrs. Camps,
1t was three years ago this month, and
the weather was evidently in very sor-
rowful mood, for it just poured all day
long, something like the cats and dogs
which auntie always uses as smile
when it rains very hard. [ had to leave
the office a number of times during the
day, and about two O. clock went to the
bank to get a check cashed, and of
course my umbrella, not this one, was in
constant use, There were some dozen
persons waiting on line at the counter,
and I had to wait also Waiting there
n damp room wasn't very agreeable
but | just hung my umbrella on the
edge of the counter until [ had done, and
just there l lost it, for when l got the
cash | had forgotten the umbrella and
left the bank without it.
When [ reached the street, I missed
it, and back | posted; but it was gone
where, by whom taken, or how, 7
never found out but hanging to the
counter instead was an old dilapidated
looking thing made of blue cotton. 1t
was enough to make me shower lefthand-
ed blessings on the party who had made
the exchange; but here by the way I
might just as well observe that it was
really blessing to me, only in dis
guise.
As the rain poured in torrents, | JUS
made the best Of the matter, and stalked
into the street as apparently unconcern-
ed as possible, me. the natty Thornton,
as my chums called me, perambulating
those streets where my said friends most
do congregate, and under big cotton
umbrella, large enough to shelter whole
family of seven.
Brown met me first.
'Ah y said he, 'igot family now
congratulate you, my boy
And from him to the Office, each and
every friend l had, seemed to be in the
street waiting to hail my appearance
with jest or laugh. Confound it I
was almost mad enough to smash the
Ole thing to pieces; but [ didn't, for
it rained too hard for any such foolish
ness.
Several times that afternoon, I vainly
endeavored to borrow or steal another
one: but it was of no use; and for home
| started with it, getting into the same
opsnlbus as Brown, who at once common
ced at ne with, 81 say, old fellow, when
did it take place ?''
"Why, your becoming married bene-
Dict
Well, you are mistaken, for [ still re-
main my own master and am not COM
PEELED to be at home every night at ten.
or else suffer the discordant din of a scoId
ing partner"
Ihis was intended Cor him, br, he
shook it off easily, and gave it back with
a vengence.
Eyes, but being as you are, you are
nightly put ont about carrying an UNI
brella more serviceable than ornamental
whereas, [, being married, satisfy my
self with what [ have. To be philoso-
pher you must get married, and who
knows but what that same umbrella NAV
come in service then2'
L escaped from him then. as had
reached the street [ wanted to get out
at; and leaving the omnibus, [ elevated
the umbrella to protect me from the
pouring rain. At the corner, under a
shop awning, stood two lovely damsels.
evidently waiting for the rain to cease for
they were without umbrellas.
Over sensitive in regard to NV an
pearance. [ could not help noticing the
utter as they regarded me. And. to tell
the truth, there was somewhat of a con-
trast to laugh at. Imagine tashionablv
dressed young man, rather good looking.
decidedly genteel, and over his head
m enormous old cotton umbrella. and
Sou Il see re as those girls saw me then.
was nettled, put cnt, and wratnful.
but resolved to check their mirth at all
hazards. Stepping up to them I said
Ladies, my umbrella, and as see Won
are without one, can [ offer you nv SER
vices as far as | go?'' Mentally resolv-
ing that If they went further than me,
my umbrella should go too.
After whispering for moment. one Of
them replied; Thank you sir; we would
be obliged for your escort. F"
vi course, as we went along I did nv
best to open conversation, and soon
mad the pleasure of elicitine few words
from them. They were both very pret-
fy' but the one called Mary I thoupbt
was particularly pleasant young LADY.
and instinctively desired to prolong our
walk, that we might be better acouafnt-
ed.
Having reached the street in which I
dwelt. turned to Miss Mary, and said
Il live in this street. and as I see you
are going further, you are welcome to the
use of the umbrella, for it is hut step to
my residence. You can return it at your
leisure. Good day."
And leaving them with the umbrella
which I knew thn.r nou ll