The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-06-17
Love in Pas Hat.

Mr.. M. was a retired manufacturer,
and possessed CT considerable fortune
He also had daughter l9 years of age,
of great personal attractions. What
wonder then that she should have made
many young fellows heart bea. quicker
who tried to gain her virgin affections
But "papa" M. took care of his treas
ure as if she were the pupil of his eye,
and mony were the unhappy mortals
who left his hospitabe table never to
return. "Plenty of time" said he,
"when the right one comes, and I APP
PROVE" etc.
But the right one had come long ago,
only papa didn't know it., and he had
come IN the person of young engineer,
who had formerly had business transac-
tions with papa M. The young people
had seen each other, spoken to each
other, looked at each other, and kind
of understanding had been come to.
Yes, and the affection was deep enough
to last, even when Mr.. M. retired from
trade and the young gallant had no
further excuse for coming on business
Then there was a succession of dark
days. But love is inventive, and in this
instance also proved TO be so.
Mr.. M. was in the habit of visiting
twice week at his hair dresser's to
have his beard and wig looked after;
and on this fact love built his structure.
One Of the younger assistants was taken
into confidence, and consequently, con-
siderable attention was paid by the
young man to Mr. Ms hat, receiving it
on his entering, giving it careful brush,
and handing IL back on departure; and
in this wise poor dear "papa" became,
unconsciously, of course, the position
damour between his daughter and her
swain.
Thus things continued for four or FIVE
long months; but the best silk hat-let
it be ever so carefully brushed, wants an
iron now and again. Mr.. Ms hat wos
several years old, and just about Christ
mas it wanted ironing badly. So Mr.
NJ, instead of proceeding to the hair
dresser's rs usual, went to his hatter's
and presented his hat for renovation.
Mr.. Halter says, after inspecting it,
"Is this hat too large for your
"No; why do you ask7'
because you put paper inside"
"Paper! paperl Not !; how does it
get there, l wonderl"
Not long did he wonder, for on care
fully unfolding the paper he read "Do
not be down hearted, dear Edward, my
father is good and generous of heart; let
us speak openly to him of our love; he
will not say no if we promise to make
his old age happy. On my knees l will
confess my love to him. Besides, our
correspondence cannot last much longer;
the continued brushing has SO worn
papa's hat that I fear from day to day
that he will have to have it done up"
etc.
Mr.. Ms hat having been refreshed,
he went as usual to his hair dresser's,
having previously carefully replaced the
letter.
In the saloon he kept a steady, though
covered, lookout on the officious young
assistant, and found his surmises corr ect
1uc OpcTdJlOun uHlSuCu, ITO 6'"'S'y
received his hat, handed the assistant as
usual his pour boire, and departed.
Before returning LONE, however. he
took occasion to inspect his hat, and ex-
tract and read a missive from no other
than the engineer. Among other things.
the young man swore that not penny
did he want of his loves tather-bis
position, thank goodness, bringing him
more than sufficient to live happy and
comfortable.
"Well," said papa, ''he seems to be
an honestly disposed young man, and
it," etc.
For some time he allowed the CORE
spondence to go on, reading regularly
and watchfully the letters on both sides,
unknown to them of course, until one
day, when the letters had been particu-
larly responding and good, he put an
end to it and made them happy, as may
be seen by the cards sent to all whom it