The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-07-03
VOL. IV.-NO. ID.
Tho Joblfnk Bonnet.

GLOW does it look7" demanded Mrs
Joblink, as she took last glance over her
shoulder at the mirror before leaving for
the thea.er.
''It'' meant the bonnet, and Mr.. Joblink,
conccallng his real feelings, replied, like a
dutiful husband: "Splendid, my dear"
The wind blew, and the soul of Mrs.
Joblink took fright, and they stopped on the
street while Mr.. Joblink carefully tied his
handkerchief over the bonnet for the protec-
ton of the Mirabcau feather, the Afghanis-
tan bangle and the Zulu bow. Before reach
ing the theatcr place in deep shadow gave
All opportunity to remove the handkerchief,
and with one last careful feel to ascertain
elf it set straight" and also an anxious
touching Of her Montague curls, Mrs. job
link sailed into the opera house with head
erect and eyes vacant with preoccupicd
stare, absurd under the circumstances.
If the new bonnet had been a tray of
China dishes Mrs. Joblink could not have
been more conscious of it nor held her head
more steadily. Despite that fixed stare of
prcoccupation Mrs. Jobink was dcliciously
aware Of the triumphant fact that every
female eye and .lorgnette in the house was
fixed critically, contcmptuousy, angrily,
admiringly or even envlously upon that
towering twenty dollars worth of trash on
her head.
When sufficient time had been given for
the female population to take it all in, the
lady recovered from her prcoccupation, and
suddenly descended into lightsome mood,
bent the bonnet toward Mr.. Joblink, and
engaged that secretly annoyed gentleman in
gay and fashionable conversation, using her
eyes for side observation to discover the
various tempers into which the bonnet had
thrown tho two hundred other ladies present.
Picking out those which showed fight,
Mrs j. levclcd her glasses, and in the most
prolonged and insulting manner i'll the
world surveyed tho disgraccful head-dresses
of the enemy. In the meantime the play
had begun, and n nervous little man in the
seat behind began to swear under his breath,
for, owing to the sudden descending darts
of the bonnet toward Mr. j., the view of
the stage was frequently cut off at the most
exciting moments Of the drama. The ner-
vous little man said dammit in pevish
tone little too loud on one of these occa-
sions, and the lady turned and stared mt him,
and Mr.. Joblink turned and scowled threat
cningly at him. ta.
At tho close of the play Mrs. Jobink ex-
changed glances Of lofty scorn with several
hostile ladies in the vicinity, and ascertain
ing by sense of touch and questioning her
husband that it "set straight she stalked
out magniticontly on Joblink's arm. That
gentleman was much impressed by the play,
and thought silently over it half the way
home. Mrs. Joblnk was also occupied
with thought. Presently Mr.. Joblink said
in tone of warm approval:
cit held the attention of the audience
throughout; didn't it2"
eyes, indeed" simpercd the lady, 'sthcrc
wasn't one of thom could lseop thoir eyes
off it for five minutes"
cit was magnificent, cried Mr.. Joblink.
''Gracious, didn't know you admired it
so much, Joblink. You see, though, if that
hateful Mrs Blinkenberry doesn't go and
get one just like it"
'Like what2" asked the foolish Joblnk.
"Why, like mine, T." replied the lady.
"Likc your what2"
'Like my bonnet, of course, you stupid
thing"
The strong man pulled out his handker-
chief and blew his nose.