St. Paul daily globe., 1888-02-09
AN UMBRELLA PROTECTOR.
Ingenious Stratagem of a Califor-
MIA Rarkeeper-HOw He Brings
HE Grief

VI q SS2itIOI"
MIA Barkeeper-How He Brings
His Customers to Grief.
The barkeeper called his attention to
a printed card which hung several feet
above the rack Oh the wall. 1t read as
follows:
"Any one attempting to steal the UNI
brella is expected to set 'em up!"
The card hung so high on the wall
that a casual observer would fail to no
tice it.
The barkeeper, with an eye to busi-
ness, had all these preliminaries fully
arranged for the first rainy day of the
season. 1t was early in the morning
that his initial victim appeared. The
humid clouds were distilling drench-
ing shower as an able practitioner of the
law appeared for his morning cocktail.
He drank the liquid cone octiOn with in
finite relish, and then, buttoning up
his coat, moved toward the
door. The umbrella caught his eye.
1t was raining cats and dogs. The
dOwnpour was prodigiOuS. He cast a
furtive but hurried glance over his
shoulder at the barkeeper. That in
geniouS worthy was giving his whole
attention to his glasses. Then the law
yer's hand went out swiftly to the alIur-
ing umbrella. He touched the handle
the alarm rang out clear and distinct
the barkeeper turned his luminous eyes
on the culprit.
'Old man." he observed with gentle
tenderness. '.just read that card above
your head"
The lawyers glance took in the situa-
tion and he returned to the counter.
obol I,nO In
all lawyers effrontery. =
We'll" replied the barkeeper, ''as
you and | are the only persons present,
reckon you will have to stand small
bottle"
"Set them up."
The wine was drank, ,and then the dis
ciple of Blackstone, true to his calling,
announced his intention of remaining a
few minutes to see what the next Gus
toner would do.
Even as he spoke, bustling, active
broker put in an appearance.
whisky straight, please. It's an
awful wet morning."
And, scarcely waiting for his change,
he was hurrying out, when suddenly
! his feet seemed glued to the floor. A
| penser of drinks, and then his nervous
fingers closed firmly on the handle of
the umbrella. The warning bell rang
| out its signal, and the barkeeper and
the lawyer gaZed in astonishment at the
| pilferer.
"YOu had better look at the card on
! the WALL" suggested the gentleman
with the white apron.
| The broker looked, and came back
slowly to the bar.
II guess We'll have bottle on this.
but I'd like to stay here awhile and see
some other fellow caught.'''
| And he did. There was constant
influx of visitors, and the warning bell
rang almost necessarily. Every man
staid to see some other culprit caught
in the act. The house never did such
thriving business. And 1t has kept it
up ever since. A mysterious rumor
went abroad that something out of the
! ordinary was to be seen at the place in
question, and every day since the sa-
loon has been invaded by eager crowds.
The rainy weather has kept the trap in
active operation. And as those who
| go in and are bitten remain to see who
will be the next unfortunate, "setting
'em up for the crowd" becomes very
serious business. Occasionally the man
| pleads poverty, but they make him
leave his watch or diamond ring while
he goes out for the money to redeem it.
| There is no backing down. The man
had rather treat than be thought a
thief in earnest, and this is the only
loophole he has for escape.