The Progress., 1893-05-13
THE CHOLER OF AGR
ssmebody Had His Hat and He Do
manded Immediate Reparation.

manded Immediate Reparation,
There was little knot in front of
the cashiers desk in town restau-
rant the other evening. each man
waiting check in hand his turn, SAYS
the Chicago Times. Suddenly they
were thrust aside and portlv old
gentleman forced his way up to the
desk. His OvercOat hung a little
recklessly over one arm and his head
was uncovered.
MIR Cashier" he began. making
an effort to speak calmly, .some one
has taken my hat and left his own.
No doubt" with an effort at a smile.
lit was a mistake, but | should like
you to do something in the matter. :"
81 am very sorry, indeed, sir
said the clerk, apologetIcaIly, "it
must have been a mistake, and ifyou
will leave your address as soon as the
gentleman returns your hat | will"
Return my hat. Highly probable
he'll return it, isn't it? ! had a new
silk hat, sir, and man doesn't take
IA new silk hat and leave such thing
as this by mistake" hotly returned
the old gentleman, as he held up the
cause Of his wrath.
1t was an old bell-toppcd beaver,
which had seen service since - well
way way back The fur was rufiied
up in ridges and tufts, and the rim
showed evidence of many ironings,
with a tendency to drocp sadly in
front.
The cashier wiped away ghost of
q smile from the corners Of his mouth
and said: Il assure you. sir that we
will do everything in our powcr to
get your hat for you, and"
GLOW can you get my hat?n asked
the loser of his headgear, a little
loudly. ''Do YOU think thief usual
ly returns the property he steals? OF
corSse you can't get my hat back. and
you ought to buy me another
'.Well, my dear sir"
ats an outrage" asserted the old
man, cutting him of, and whacking
the desk with his fist. Il want you to
make some restitution"
Really, sir" said the clerk, mild
ly, 'we can't be accountable for
articles taken from here. See,
pointing to a sign back of him which
read; Not responsible for hats or
overcOats;" 1--WE have q notice to that
effect
Dash the sign. | don't care what
your sign says; want new hat"
vOciferated the old man, throwing off
all restraint. "lf you kept respect
able place people wouldn't have their
clothes stolen off their backs when
they come in here to eat" Then
calming himself with an effort:
Don't you think you ought in fair
ness to refund me the price of my hat
or get me another? can't afford to
buy hats for all the sneak thieves
in Chicago. What will people think
seeing me, respectable business
man, going home wearing such hat
as this?' And, keeping his eye on
the face of the cashier. he raised the
tile above the level of the counter.
The cashier shook his head deci-
sively.
The old mans teeth came together.
He shifted his gaze on the hat At
the sight of the old wreck his soul
boiled within him, and, casting it
on the floor. he shouted: You keep
dirty old joint, that's what you
keep. I've thought for a good while
that it wasn't above suspicion, and
now I'm sure of it. Pretty state of
affairs, this. | suppose it won't be
long until a man will have to carry
hammer and nails with him and spike
his hat to the floor to keep it from
being stolen. | expect to read with
in week that this place has been
raided." "
The cashier YEARLY said Next
well, you've got the last cent ogt
OF me that you'll ever get, I'd see you
starve before I'd give you a penny"
And, giving the tile of ancient de-
sign kick that landed it under
table. he stamped out