The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1877-07-26
OPEN BACK SHIRTS.

They were a sleepy lot on the four
o'clock car going down Michigan ave-
nue. yesterday. The day was hot, the
dust thick, and only one man, and he
beyond the prime of life, opened his
eyes as woman crowded in, with
long paper box under her arm. His
eyes opened a little more as she sat
down near him, and, presently. they
widened to their fullest capacity as he
read the label on the bex-"One dozen
open-backed shirts" He glanced
from the box to the female and back,
and groaned out:
"Land % love! but what will come
next?'
She looked around at him as if she
feared that case of collie would come
next, and he frightened up a little and
said:
"Well, I've worn 'em for year,
and know they're handy and relia-
BILE. If my daughters want to get a
half-dozen apiece I shan't cry over it,"
Were you speaking to me?" she
asked, after seeing that no one else
seemed interested.
" I sorter was, and sorter wasn't"
he replied, as he worked a faint smile
to his face. 81 was saying that it's
wonderful how much the inventive
genius of this country has done for us
on the shirt question.
She hitched away little.
Twenty years ago." he unused, as
he hitched after her. 'if any man had
told me that the dormant genius of
this country would soon rouse up and
invent button-behind shirt, I'd have
looked upon him as crazy. But dor
mant genius was all o. X. She reused,
she invented, and I've got one o. them
very shirts on.".
The look she gave him ought to have
torn him all to pieces, but it didn't.
zone year ago." he calmly resumed,
"if- anybody had told me that the
gentler sex would soon demand open
backed shirts, I'd have gone fishing
aud never returned. But the epoch
has hove in sight-she's right here. I
can recommend them as boss"
"Who are you talking to. sir" she
demanded in an awful voice.
"To you, madam. 1 was saying
that if wear them there is no reason
why you shouldn't"
"I appeal to these passengers :" she
exclaimed excitedly.
$50 do l." he answered. EVERY
body in this car. with button behind
shirt on, will please stand up until 1
can count noses"
The old man stood up. He was all
alone. He looked around in a SORROW
full way, and said:
1.-THE noses have it, and the resolu-
ton is laid OH the table. However, I'll
stick to mine, and don't believe this
woman Eere will go back on her dozen
till she has given 'em fair show.
Which side of the neck do they button
on, madam %
The yells that followed brought in
the driver. The old man was pointed
out as a drunkard and a woman-insult-
er, and the driver was feeling for his
neck when the astonished man cried
out:
"Who's drunk? Who's insulted
"He kept talking about shirts!"
screamed the woman with the box.
And you've got box full !" shout
ed the man.
hain't no"
She turned up the box, and saw the
label for the first time. She grew red,
then white, and there was an awful
silence. Ripping off the cover she
exhibited a bolt of mosquito netting
nestled away in the box. Nay, she
held it up, and even shook it at the
old man. He smiled softly, nodded
his head u dozen times, and blandly
said:
Correct, madam-I tumble to it.
That doesn't look like a dozen button
behind shirts, and Pm grieved il Of
Tended. Put it back, madam, forget
that you ever saw me, and wear any
kind you have a mind to!"-[Detroit
Free Press.