The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1893-12-06
THAT UMBRELLA.

knew the value of n sou and possessed
code of strict rules for the saving of money.
Her servant had great trouble to secure
her perquisite, and M. Oreille could obtain
pocket money with extreme difficulty.
They were in moderate circumstances
and had no children, but Nine. Oreille
was quite disturbed to see the silver pieces
go from her house. 1t was heartrending,
and every time it was necessary to incur
any expenses of importance she slept badly
the following night.
Her husband often complained of the
priyations she made him suffer-they were
certainly very hard for him, as they touch
ed his vanity.
He was chief clerk to the minister of
war and only held his place in obedience
to his wife to increase the income of the
household.
For two years he came to the office with
the same patched umbrella, which caused
the merriment of his companions. At last,
weary of their jests, he persuaded Mime.
Oreille to buy him new one.
She bought one at n bargain from a
large shop. The clerks, seeing this object,
renewed their jests, and Oreille suffered
terribly.
Oreille, exasperated, commanded his
wife TO choose n new umbrella for him, a
fine silk one for s., and bring him an APP
proved bill. She bought him one for 1915
and said Indignantly, giving it to her hus-
bands sspherel yhat win last for five years
at least"
Oreille, exultant, set off for the Office.
When he came back in the evening, his
wife, casting an anxious glance ut the UNI
brella, said "You ought not TO leave it
shut up by the elastic. 1t is apt to cut
the silk. You should take care of 1t, for
shall not buy another very soon."
She took it, unfastened the ring and
shook out the folds, but became suddenly
excited. A hole MS large rs II centime was
In the middle of the umbrella. 1t was
burned by cigar.
She cried, "What Is thutS"
Her husband said quietly, without look
ing;
"WhatP What? What do you sayfn
Anger now choked her. She could hard
ly speak "You-you have burned it.
your-your umbrella. But you are fool
You wish to ruin us!"
Coming toward him as II to strike him,
she quickly placed under his nose the lit
tie circular hole. He was COMPOUNDED at
the accusation, stammering:
"Tbere-there-w is its do not
know. ! have done nothing. | swear It,
do not know how that happened to the
umbrella"
She cried out, ~ wager you have been
showing of your vanity with them at the
offlce-you have been mountebank and
opened it to display it,"
He replied, ~ opened it only once, to
show that it was IL nice one-I swear IT,.
But she stamped with fury, causing one
of those conjugal scenes that render fam
fly fracas more formidable to quiet man
than battlefield where balls fly around.
She mended the hole with piece of silk
cut from an old umbrella of different
color, and the next day Oreille humbly set
out with the renovated article. He put 1t
in his wardrobe and thought Of IL only as
bad dream.
But hardly had he entered in the even
ing when his wife seized his umbrella,
opened it to examine its condition and
was speechless before an irreparable disas-
ter. It was punctured with little holes,
evidently from burns caused by the sparks
from lighted pipe. 1t was destroyed ut
terly.
She looked at it silently, too Indignant
to utter a sound. As for him, no saw the
destruction and was dismayed
Then the scene began again. He swore
he knew nothing about tit could only
have happened through spite or i'll will.
A ring at the bell stopped them. 1t was
a friend who came to dine. Nine Oreille
submitted the case to him. AS to buying
a new umbrella, that was out of the ques-
ton. Her husband should not have an
other.
The friend argued well, 'Then, madame,
ha ia f.ln
worth more"
The little woman, still angry, replied:
"Then he shall take the cook $ umbrella.
will not give him new silk one.''
At this Oreille rebelled. Then said he:
az shall give in my resignation. will not
go to the Office with the cooks umbrella"
The friend said: ''Have that one recov-
cred. 1t will not cost much.'
Mime. Oreille cried; 'It would cost ut
least 81 to recover It'll That is madnessn
The friend had an inspiration.
Make your insurance company pay for
It. The company pays for burned articles,
provided the accident happened at your
house"
Remaining at home alone, Nine. Oreille
could not be consoled for the loss of 1915.
She had the umbrella on the table in the
dining room, and she turned 1t over with
out coming to any resolve.
The thought of the insurance came to
her, but she dared not face the doubling
looks of the gentlemen who would receive
her, for she was timid woman, blushing
at nothing and much embarrassed when
speaking to strangers.
The hours passed. Then suddenly, as
towards gain courage, she came to the de-
cisiont II will go. Then we shall seel''
But as it was necessary TO prepare the
umbrella for a more complete wreck and
to account for 1t easily, she took a match
from the mantelpiece and burned between
the whalebones piece as large as your
hand. Then she carefully rolled up what
remained OF the silk, fastened 1t with the
elastic cord, put on hat and shawl and
went with quick steps toward the Rue de
Rivoli. where she found the insurance Of