Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-06-27
Concerning Umbrellas.

'Tll wager the best box OF cigars in the
city,
'Done.'
This short dialogue took place between
two young men as they rushed breath
lessly down two flight of stairs, and seiz
ing hats and umbrellas, issued from the
door of fashionable boarding house on
Street, New York city. A young
lady was just stepping upon horse-car
before the door, and both hurried to-
ward it. The car passed on, leaving the
two lines of faristocratic houses that COM
posed the street wrapped in the mists OF
the rainy afternoon.
That evening a young lady entered
the dining room of one of these aristO-
cratic houses, and on being chidden for
lateness, rejoined pettishly:
Il couldn't help it, mamma. I've been
so unfortunate to. day. declare could
cry!'
In the first place, left NY purse on
my toilet-table, was in hurry to
catch that car. I stuffed the bank check
into my glove for safety. I went to the
bank and got, it cashed-ffty dollars,
you know, and it occurred to me the
money wouldn't be safe in my cloak
pocket, so unscrewed the top of the
handle of my umbrella and put the bills
in that hollow within the broad part.-
Then I went to the photogl apher's and
got my proofs, and, for want of better
place, foolishly put those in the hol-
low too. Well, it rained in torrents.
and two young gentlemen were follow
ing me. You needn't lock shocked,
mamma-they were, though they did it
very unobtrusively. I've seen both of
them before, and I believe they room
opposite. At any rate, they got on the
car that did, this noon, al they got
on the one 1 came home in One of
them sat next to me, and th other near
the door on the opposite side, and if /
turned my eyes anywhere but straight
forward, I was sure to receive glance
of admiration
We'll dispense with that part of it.,
Mary
No, we can't mamma was the de-
mure response. for my con fusion, and
the fact of my umbrellas dripping all
over my dress, caused the catastrophe.
I had to set the umbrella aside a little,
you see, and when got up 30 leave the
car, both those young men rushed for
the door. 1t was really con,ical, mann
ma [ WAS no sooner OUTSIDE the car
than two umbrellas met over my head.
and there stood the two young gentle
men, both quite determined T., escort me
to the house door. I never wanted to
laugh SO much; but I didn't laugh. |
thanked them with q very dignified
nv own umbrella from the <oids of my
waterproof, opened that, and walked
off. Mamma continued the speaker,
tragicalIy, L never will have another
umbrella that is like every cue else's.'
L don't see al all what 20 IRE coming
to. Mary, said her mother, erp!exefly.
What was the trouble?'
Trouble? Why, mamma, when got
home found l hadn't my ose IL umbrella
at all, but some one else = just ike
mine?'
And the fifty dollars and photograph
proofs?'
'Were gone.'
why, you careless girl! How could
you have done such thiDg?'
1t is the greatest shame IL the world
that umbrellas are made SO Diuch alike, =
was the vexed response.
is the ole you have just like yours =
Precisely; black alpaca, with an ivory
handle.'
Somebody must have stolen yours, or,
rather, exchanged purposely.
'Idon't think it, mamma; in TACT, L
know they couldn't, No one could have
known what was in the handle OF mine;
and the one I brought home Is much
sprucer. I'm sure the person VINO TOOK
mine would never think of looking In
the handle.'
Perhaps not
But, mamma, I want the fifty dollars;
else how can I have that hgnt Six
dress p
I dare say you do, but you can't have
it just now
but must And the speaker coax
ingly put her hand on her motners
arm.
Nonsense. Advertise your umbrella.
Some Of the people on the car must nave
lit.'