Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-11

shaped as a cane; 50 much so, that Brown used
and say it was a bachelors umbrella-his being
almost the size OF a Mrs. Camps
1t was three years ago this month, and the
weather was evidently in very sorrowful mood,
for it just poured all day long, something like
the cats and dogs which auntie always uses as a
similie when Ii 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 n
check cashed; and, of course, my umbrella, not
this one, was in constant use. There was some
dozen persaes waning on a line at the counter,
and had 10 wait also. Waiting there in damp
room wasn't very agreeable; but just hung my
umbrella on the edge OF the counter till / had
Zone, and just there lost it, for when got the
cash had forgotten the umbrella, and lett the
bank without IL.
When / reached the street missed il, and
taken, or how, never found out; but hanging to
the counter instead was an old dilapidated look
ing thing, made or blue cotton 1t was enough
to make me shower left-handed blessings on the
party who had made the exchange; but here, by
the way, might just as well observe that il was
really blessing to me, only in disguise.
As the rain poured in torrents, Just made the
best of the matter, and stalked into the street as
apparently unconcerned as possible, me, the
natty Thornton, as my chums called me, peram-
ealating those streets where my said friends most
do cOngregate, and under a big cotton umbrella,
large enough to shelter a whole family of seven
Brown met me first
~. All :" said he," got afamily now-cOngratu-
And from him to the Office, each and every
friend had, seemed to be i'm the street waiting
to hail my appearance with a jest or laugh.
COnfound il i was almost mad enough to
smash the old thing TO pieces; but didn't, for il
rained too hard for any such fooishness.
Several times during that afternoon, yainly
II was of no use; and for home started with 1t,
getting into the same omnibus with Brown, who
at once commenced at me with, 90 saw, old fell
low, when did it take placer"
Thinking Innocence might extricate me from
this eontounded chatting. i asked, "What take
place 2"
"why, your becoming a married Benedict ?'
swell, you are mistaken, for L still remain
my own master, and am not compelled to be at
home every night at ten, or else suffer the dis
eordant din of a scolding partner"
This was intended for him, but he shook Ii Of
easily, and gave II back with a vengeance.
Eyes, but being as you are, you are nightly
put out about carrying an umbrella more ser
yiceable than ornamental; whereas 1, being
married, satisfy myself with what hav5. TO
be a philosopher you must get married, and who
knows but what that same umbrella NAV come
in service them"
escaped from him then, as had reached 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 with
out umbrellas.
Over sensitive in regard to my appearance, L
could not help noticing the litter as they re.
garded me. And, TO tell the truth, there was
somewhat Of a contrast to laugh at. Imagine a
fsshionably dressed young man, rather good
looking, decidedly genteel, and over his head an
enormous cid cotton umbrella, and you'll see
me as those girls saw me then.
Twas nettled, put out, and wrathful, but re-
solved TO check their mirth at all hazards. Step
large, and as i see you without one, can /
offer you my services as far as / go?" Mentally
resolving that if they went further than me my
umbrella should 60 too.
After whispering for a moment, one of them
replied, Thank you, sir; we would be obliged
for your escort"
n n
open conversation, and soon had the pleasure
Of eliciting a few words frem them. They were
both very pretty; but the one called Mary 1
lady, and instinctiveiy desired to prolong our
walk, that we might be better acquainted.
Having reached the street in which dwelt,
turned TO Miss Mary and said 81 live in this
street, and as L SEQ you are going further, you
are welcome to the use OF the umbrella, for il is
sIt seP to saS You can return
And leaving them with my umbrella, which
knew they would never return, for i purposely
did not give them my address, ran home, con-
graduating myself at having 80 pleasantly dis
posed of my pest.
Somehow or other Mary's eyes were ALWAYS in
my mind, and i should almost have forgotten
about the old umbrella if it were not for the re-
membrance of her sweet face. After a while I
came to the conclusion that had actually fallen
IN love with Mary; but who was Mary, and
where to find her, did not know. And then i
began TO wish had given my address, that the
umbrella might be returned to me.
Pl.
and i never came across either Mary the
umbrella How / wished for glimpse of either
Il cannot tell you; but did-awful!
During September i was down at nv friend
Wyndham's place, on the seaeost, for a week or
two; and one day he aud were out Wishing in a
yacht, but noticing a storm coming up. we
thought We had better put into the bay until it
The sky in the west was already black with
h the rushing clouds advancing up the zenith
and a. passed the Point, on oar way i'm we
"A boat containing ST r-b-
ing, perfectly unconscious of the rising storm
for the trees on the land obscured the western
sky, and overhead was still clear. Wyndham
called my attention to them.
Good gracious" exclaimed 1, there's my
"where ?'' said wyndham.
"Why, there, in that boat, Wyndham," said
what may"
ward them. But ve had to sail round con-
siderable distance; and in the meantime the
people in the boat had evidently noticed the
coming storm, for they were pulling up their
The umbrella was sure il was mine-stil
remained elevated, % could not Sec who vas
sitedly, for hoped Il would be Mary.
We had nearly reached them when the windy
forerunner OF the storm struck the boat, and the
next moment 10 Was overtorned, and saw two
ladies and three men struggng In the water
one Of them elutching tightly to the umbrella,
whose strong RIBS actually made sort OF balloon
oft, and buoyed her up, while the wind carried
her away frukn the Others
"wyndhAn ~ shouted 4, "yes pick up the
others, and In look after this one"
And tearing on my boots and coat, sprang
into The water, and swan rapidly toward her,
the wind At the xame time carrying her toward
me- She was terribly frightened, but seeing
me. she seemed 20 take q Hffie courage, and
exclaimed, "Says me, sir! Oh, what shall /
witheat regarding her questions. I srsSed her
brellA and trust herself % me.