The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1885-12-19
THE UNI BRELLA.

MIR. Thompson Undergoes q Wonder
ful OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 1t Only
Dream?
MIR. Thompson was in a meditativ
and rather revengeful mood. He ha
just purchased new silk umbrella wit
a curiously carved ivory head, and tn
young man who boarded in the hous
had whispered at the dinner table tina
1.-THE head on the umbrella looks Jus
Like Thompson"
Now Mr. Thompson is not a hand
some man, nor does he lay claims t.
beauty, but he hardly thought he looked
like the grotesque face carved on Tho
ivory umbrella handle. So he sat in
his casy-chair ard stared at it very hard
The umbrella stood in the corner and
stared back with its beady eyes until
MIR. thompson was startled by seeing
it wink. He rubbed his eyes very hard,
and looked again, and to his surprise
the umbrella repeated the wink. This
time Mr.. Thompson could not be mis-
taken; it was wink of the most ag-
gressive character-an impudently ia
lniliar wink. MIR. Thompson shuddered
in anticipation of something unpleas-
ant about to happen; he did not exactly
know what and he began to wonder
what it could be. The umbrella winked
again. This was more than MIR. Thomp-
son could stand.
whom are you winking at?" he
exclaimed, angrily. 'You are too
familiar, sir-too familiar
''Humphp' answered the umbrella.
contemptuously. '.You needn't be
stuck up because you own me. That
young fellow said that we look like
brothers,"
HE did, ch?" growled Mr.. Thomp-
SON. I'D like to break you over his
head"
Now, there you 60" said the nm.
brella. THAT is the disadvantage of
being an umbrella. You get loaned.
and lost, and broken, and can't do a
thing to protect yourself wish was
man." and the umbrella sighed
deeply.
Here was new phase of the aues-
ton. and MIR. Thompson was inter-
ested.
There are many disadvantages in
being man." he said. in an argument-
alive tone. "As an umbrella you have
no bills to pay, no bores to avoid, no
lmpudent young men to annoy You.
You are carefully treated, and your
mission in life is a beneficial one. How
many lovers you may shelter from the |
ram. Your lot is one to be envied."
!, "Oh, yes; that is all very pretty in |
theory: all your theories are pretty"
yrowled the umbrella. 1.-THE trouble
s, they haven't solid foundation of
lact II you think it so delightful, per-
laps you would like to try it for awhile.
GU wouldn't change for anything"
Eyes. l would" exclaimed Mr..
Thompson. hastily.
Its a CO." shouted the umbrella.
Mr.. thompson recognized the phrase
IS favorIte slang expression of the
'oung man who boarded in the house.
nut had no time to think of ANYTHING
more, for he suddenly found himself
landing IN the corner, and to his dis
Just he saw the umbrella sitting in the
hair. Mr. Thompson was compelled
admit that there was a likeness, and
vas about to remark to that effect.
'hen there was knock on the door,
he umbrella said ''Come in," and Miss
angelina entered.
"Oh, MIR. Thompsonr she exclaimed,
I've got to run around to Sixth av-
nue. to get some tape, and it's raining,
nd it is getting so late!"
Mr.. Thompson was about to answer.
ut the umbrella was ahead of him.
IF you will accept my protection &
said' Il should be most happy, and I
gu see l have new umbrella;" and I
glanced maliciously toward poor +
lr. Thompson, who suddenly real {
ed that on account of his /
lange of shape he was unable @
} move without being carried. Miss =
ngelina ran out to get her bonnet and '
aterproof, and the umbrella put on u
r. Thompson's rubber coat and hat s
I'd taking Mr.. Thompson under his q
m, went to the front door to await |,
,r coming. 1t was then that poor Mr.. q
thompson realized the bitterness of be- s.
g an umbrella. n
To shield Miss Angelina from the rain n
as in itself pleasure; but to be c
'l'ged to listen to the chatter of the e.
lious umbrella which had taken his a
ape. to see her leaning confidinglv on =.
arm, and to hear it saying pretty c,
lngs to her, was too much. But he W
Is powerless, and he got through the h
opping somehow. OF
On the way home it had stopped b,
ming, and the umbrella carried Mr.. h,
lompson under ITS arm at an angle Of n,
out forV-dvs degrees. ip imminent Y