San Saba County news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1874-19??, 1893-10-13
THE EXHIBITION IN The WINDOW.

In the center of the array of hats
were two human heads, which We're
protruded through two artfully con
strueted holes in the polished mahOg-
any which formed the flooring of the
shop front
Each head was covered with what
appeared to be an ordinary tall hat.
The head on the right had a large
window ticket behind it, on which
were the following words:
"Wilkins' ventilating hat. Perfect
comfort No suffering from heat by
want of ventilation. The wearer of
this article enjoys life The head IS
human; there IS no deception. The
only esta blishment in which wilkins
ventilating hat may be obtained. "
There was a similar ticket behind
the head on the left
"The ordinary silk hat Observe
how the unfortunate wearer suffers
from the heat Poor fellow he evil
IDENTIFY wishes himself dead. The
common, unventilated hat of com
merce Is a fiendish invention, worthy
Of the atrocities of the worst days of
the Spanish inquisition. The head IS
human; there is no deception"
I noticed that the mahogany plank
ing of the shop front below the head
was perforated with innumerable
Bmall holes
The gentleman wearing Wilkins
Tentilating hat looked the picture of
eontentment. He was evidently very
comforta BILE, indeed
The other head presented a striking
contrast. Never till now had I the
least idea that such dreadful effects
were produced by the wearing of an
unventilated hat The face was as
pale as death; a cold perspiration
seemed to trickle from every pore
was puzzled; there was mystery
somewhere I determined to unravel
1t, and boldly entered the shop.
what can do for you, sir?" said
an assistant, with excessive urbdnity
"Well, want to see Mr.. Wilkins" l
replied.
THAT is Mr.. Wilkins, said the man,
indicating a portly and benevolent
looking gentleman in black silk
waistcoat
what can do for you?" said Mr.
wilkins.
"Td like to be in the way of earning
nm honest half dollar, sir" replied.
every good, my man." said Mr..
Wilkins, with a smile. is there n
vacancy to-day, Boldger?" said Mr.
Wilkins, turning to foreman.
eyes, certainly, sir" replied the
man; I'VE shall be ready for the
gtsntleman in about twenty minutes.
teep this way, young man." said the
sSreman.
/ followed him into a lavatory.
There you are, " he said. You're
IN luck, young man, he went on;
half dollar for wearing a new hat
for three hours is good pay. You'll
be on at 3, and you'll be off at c. This
gentleman is waiting his turn, he
added; The is one of our regulars
The gentleman" who was waiting
his turn was a tatterdemalion wretch,
but his neck and face had been care
fully washed, and his hair well combed
and brushed.
1 washed my face and brushed my
hair, and in my heart l thought that
70 wear an unventilated hat, even for
three whole hours, couldn't be so very
dreadful punishment, after all.
had reckoned without my host.
This way, gentlemen, if you
please" said the hatter's assistant, as
be motioned us to follow him through
l door leading toward the basement
At the end Of a passage was sort
Of little room with a sloping roof; it
was exactly under the shop front.
Side by side were two easy chairs be-
neath each of which was winch for
raising or lowering the chair to any
required height
My companion took his seat at once
he was evidently used to the ways
of the place Then the assistant
strapped him in by means of two
thick leather bands, with massive
buckles, one at the neck and the other
at the waist
Then the shopman suddenly opened
the little trap door, some twelve
Inches square, in the low, sloping roof
Of the apartment, and worked away
actively at the winch The chair
slowly rose, and the head of its occu-
pant disappeared through the little
:rap door TO the shoulders.
Then the man turned a large tap,