Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-16
sPnUCINGTON's UMBRELLA.
A Pleasant story About Live Pcopl

Nance"
"Charles Blank"
Occupation
Civil engineer.
address ?"
"No. 50l Great George street, West.
minister, and Verbena Villas, Hammer
smith
"Nerbcua Villas, Hammersmith, slow.
ly repeated the police sergeant as he en-.
tered the foregoing particulars in big
book.
"Wcll, you know the charre-stealina
this gentleman's Umbrella. Have YOU
anything to say in addition to what you
lave already stated?"
Nothing whatever" / answered II
can only repeat that it was entirely mis-
take upon my part"
Just 30, was the grim reply. "You'll
have an opportunity of proving that in
the morning. You arc by no means the
first person we have had to deal with
here who has mistaken other peoples
property for his own. Take him to the
cells"
And then l WAS marched off.
The circumstances which had brought
me into this scrape were MS follows N.Y.
self and my friend Sprucington were in
the employment of railway contractor
whose offices were situated in the locality
already mentioned. The duties of our
department were shared by some hall
dozen other young gentlemen Of orr own
age, who, like us, were qualifying them
selves for the survey Of ground and con-
struction OF lines IN any part Of the
world which their genius should call them
to. But plans and specifications are not
particularly exhilarating in themselves,
apart from their professional interest so
it is not to be wondered at that among
several young fellows full Of animal spir-
its little practical joking should have
been at times INDUCED in.
Ned Sprucington and were old Garth
usians. When we met, therefore, after
some years separation at the office in
George street We had only to renew our
friendship. The great dandy of our room,
nay, of the entire house, was Ned. /
honestly believe, too, that he was one of
the most guileless, Supplemented fellows
alive. He had, however, one conspicuous
wcakness-which was to he taken for n
man of fashion. He dressed, l admit,
uncxceptionably, and to aid him in pro-
ducing the impression which he desired
upon beholders he carried about with
HIM in all weather beautiful silk UNI
brella scarcely bulkier than lady's para
sol, though, of course, considerably long
er. Judging from the cut onyx handle
mounted in gold it must have cost him n
mint of money.
Well, this umbrella of Ned's we tried
all we could think of to get hold of it
But he was too wary for us-it was nj.
ways left III some safe place. If we had
succeeded IN gaining possession of it. it
would at once have taken conspicuous
position IN society, such as covering the
old apple-woman at the corner, but it was
unapproachable. At last we became SO
desperate that L accepted heavy wager
from one of the other fellows that + would
present myself at the Office the next
morning, at all hazards, the proud pos.
sessor OF Ned Sprucington's umbrella,
On That particular day, work being
slack, every one was enabled to leave nm.
usually early so that by o'clock in the
afternoon the house was clear of all but
myself, my brother conspirator, and the
Old soldier who lived with his wife on the
premises. My friend Ned, as was his Gus
tom at such times, had announced his in
tehtioh OF promenoding the Ladies' Mile.
there to air himself, his arstocracy and
~ ".otoiiu' ucClIeu upon follow
ing him thither. AS there were vet two
hours OF daylight, however, Thought I
could not do better than fortify myself
for the enterprise by taking some sub.
stantial refreshment before commencing
operations, after which l would trust to
the chapter of accidents.
With this object in view, was ropair.
ing toward my favorite place of reelection
IN the Strand, when who should I SEQ
looking in at the topographer's shop by
northumberland House but Ned Spruc.
iington. He ought, by rights, to have
been nearly two miles away at HYDE Park
corner yet here washe at Charing Cross,
calmly studying some map of ''seat OF
war. lie was so wedged IN among other
gazers, that 1 could not get at him to
speak or even 10 have clear view of his
face. But knew him by his height, by
tne neatly braided coat, the delicately
!inted trousers, the well-poised hat, and
last, but not least, the umbrella, He was
holding his hands behind his back. and
IN one OF them the precious article was
firmly clasped. wac
Yes, there it was, onyx handle. GOLD.
mounting, and all. As 1 looked a sudden
!dea took possession of me-a foolish
IDEA, admit, as it could hardly lead to
practical result. But I tbonobt i T.
could only get the umbrella out of his
nand IN some way, and run off with it,
that ne, seeing it in the possession of n
friend, would give up the chase, knowing
tnat ne would recover his property The
next day. AT the worst the result Won,