The colored patriot., 1882-05-11
$50 you've got it. Mary! A little
surprise, you know. It's sumner, ain'f

| 1t was the tone of these words rather
than their intrinsic intelligence that
caused Jacks face to elongate sud
denly.
why. what's the matter. Maryp', h.
exclaimed, in alarm.
Matter, Mr.. Jackr' returned Mary
holding the bonnet out al arms lencth.
as if it had been n recent occupant ~
the smallpox hospital. '.Matter. Mr..
| Jacki' she repeated; II should think
| you'd ask! just look at itr'
Why" said Jack. beginning to lose
confidence in his ideas on taste. isn't
it pretty?"
" "Prettym screeched Mrs. j.
/ With that she let the millinery fall
/ from her grasp. and then dropped All in
a heap on the nearest chair and fell Ia
/ weeping like 4 force pump.
! 1t was hard on poor Jack. He had
promised himself no end Of pleasure as
the result of his little surprise. MARY
will be so happyr' he had said to him.
self. at viii come SO unexpected. too!
And how she viii admire my taster'
Instead of this. that beautiful bonnet Law
neglected on the floor, and his wife was
on the verge of Mysteries!
| What was he to do under these dis
tressing circumstances? Do? What
would any husband do in the presence
of tears?
''Oh, well. Mary" he said. coaxing-
ly, IF it doesn't suit You. Of course YOU
can change it. ought TO have known
that man isn't fitted to pick out bon.
net There, dear. don't cry any more;
but put on your things and 60 right
down to Plushington' and pick one out
yourself. Now don't. cry. dear. I've
got to go to the office; but you'll go to
Plushington's right away, won't you.
dear?'
Mrs. Jacks tears gradually dried.
though great sob every now and then
showed the terrible anguish which still
rent her bosom. She deigned no an,
swer TO her lords entreaties. excepting
something or other about that "hornd
thing" and was about to break out
again into fresh weeping, when Jack
begged her again to 90 to the millfncr's
right off, kissed her hastily, and dis
creetly left her alone with her grief
When the door was safely shut behind
him-the truth must be told he did
say something that rhymed with lamb.
but it is certain that lamb" Was not
the word he used.
1t was wonderful how quickly Mrs
Jack recovered from her sorrow. Hard
ly had the street door closed ere she was
herself again. There was now a look
of triumph on her face. Hastily put
ting on her street garments. she showed
the despised bonnet into the band-box,
and a minute later was on her way 10
Plushington's
1t is needless to follow her thither II
you are "A woman, you know how a
woman disports herself in millinery
shop; If man, the less You know about
such places the better for your peace Of
mind.
The next day was Sunday, Easter
Sunday, and as Mrs Jack walked down
the broad aisle i'm her new bonnct--the
bonnet of her own choice-she was su-
premely happy. And Jack was happy.
too. to see his spouse in so heavenly
frame Of mind.
well. | vumn'
Thus said Mrs Jack, as she took her
Bangupton pew, there sat Mrs. Bangnp-
ton-the recognized leader in the fash
ionablc world-with bonnet the very
counterpart of that horrid thin"
which Jack had sent home A. a surprise
TO Mrs. j.
This Is what Mrs. J. vummed"
about
There were the identical neutral
strings; the nondescript roses. chrys-
anthemums. lilies and asters. were MI
there; the "mean. scrimpy. night-caP-
py thing was before her in every par
ticular.
II is safe TO say that Mrs. jack got
little edificati0n from the service that
morning. Mrs. Bangupton's bonnet va
mixed up with the hymns; II was every
where throughout the creed, collects.
prayers: the morning lessons were en-
tircly devoted TO millinery; the sermon:
from text to finish. was Bangupton and
bonnet. and the benedicfiOn was made
up of the same ubiquitous elements
On her way home Mrs. Jack was not
so cheerful a. when she started thence.
On the contrary. she was tacituTn. sad.
not 10 say morose. Jack saw that come
thing was wrong but. being discreet
husband. and having Yesterday epl..
sode fresh in his remembrance. he sAid
nothing II was. no doubt. The wiser
course
Upon reaching home. Mrs. Jack hew
up the stairs. but not until she WAs 10
the solitude of her own chamber did her
sorrow find words ClutchIng conTus-
sively At the strings Of her new bonnet.
she pulled il Of and then sank into
chair and burst into tears
i" don't care. tA<ys
This was her only exclamation ehe
continued to weep and sob for ne
minutes. perhaps. Then suddenly shs
dried Der eyes. took uP her oo1rsi
scanned il al over. and. With iook oi
satisfaction rather than q loy. az
claimed.
Well. picked II out myself, = any
rate. None Of hB buyingi Id died
rather than have him buy faF bounets
And no doubt she would boSsoa
Traaacr1rk
~--~a-o .