Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-11-13
AN ARTISTIC HAT.

met in q small all night restaurant He
had tried for week to get one like it
had visited every hat store in Philadelphia
but without success.
Burton was an artist. He traded be-
artists hat, and his heart was set on it. 1t
was large, soft, black, with large brim
and crown carclessly denied in. 1t was
exactly like no other hat.
The day after the trade Burton wore
his hat to one of the weekly gatherings of
the artists of his class in the studio of
man named Gillian. 1t was away up I'M
der the roof in one of the old buildings
down town on Walnut street. He display
ed it to the dozen men present as a great
find and expected them to grow green with
envy.
Gillian saw this in an instant and after
casual glance at the hat said:
'Bahl That's nothing new. I've soen
half dozen of those hats in the CITY,"
$50 have I!' said Henderson.
eyes; I've seen a few of them, too
only a few tramps are wearing them,"
cried Lanam.
II don't believe it, said Burton indig-
nantly.
"Well, you don't have to-" laughed
Gillian, but it's a fact"
Burton was silent for q moment, and
then he said:
''I'I tell you what I'll do: I'll bet all
three of you IS apiece that in days
walking over this city you can't find one
of them, in a store or on head"
1--WE don't want to win your money.
It's not right to bet on q certainty" the
second speaker said.
Rot. you know you're wrongl''
"Why, Burton" said Gillian, elf you
are SO anxious to bet We'll all take SIS
worth of that, and tomorrow afternoon
between and o'clock Well show you
four hats like your great and only one. "
Gillian called Brown to hold the stakes
and he deposited the necessary SIS with
him. Burton put another So on top of it
and held two more bills ready for the 9TH
er defamers of the hat to put up their
stakes They were hesitating Artists are
careful about their S. bills for they come
to them only at lengthy intervals and are
equivalent to five models or much paint
and canvas. Burton was the exception.
Gillian attracted the attention of the two
and winked at them. They knew that a
joke was afoot and put $40 into Browns
hands.
Gillian and his two companions in the
bet lived in the same part of town. They
walked out Chestnut street together when
the meeting broke up.
DO you know where to get four of the
hats?" Gillian was asked.
mo. Didn't he tell US that he has tried
every store in town without being able to
find even one of themH And you know
that you have never seen another one
Il thought you wished to let us know
that you could get theml' exclaimed Hen
derson.
"Ah, my sons, don't DO too inquisitive.
All you have to do is to walk up and down
Chestnut street with Burton at the ap-
pointed hour, and you'll see the hats. I'll
be busy with that portrait, SO won't be
able to go with you. But, mind you, don't
make any mistake. Leave his studio at
exactly and don't let him come back till
s. Walk slowly and keep your eyes OPEN"
but WHAT asked Lanam.
"There are no butts in this, my sons. We
shall drink Wine this week"
At five minutes to o'clock next after
noon Burton and the two who were to be
his escorts were sitting in Burton s studio,
silently watching the hands of the clock
as they crept toward 4. The hat was on
Burton's head
1--WE might as well start now" he sug-
gested, rising.
The two others remembered Gillian's
parting I'M functions and said no; they must
all stick to the agreement and not go
sooner nor later than the hour decided on.
At two minutes to some one was heard
running up the stairs two at time. The
door was opened, and man named AL
man, who did quick sketches for The
Runner, came in. He had not seen the
hat the night before.
'By CAD, I'm glad I struck you in!"
he said, speaking very rapidly. 81 have
to draw a picture of a southern lumber
man and want to borrow your book Of
well, I'm shot, that's lumberman's hat
you have onl Lend me that Tor about Is
minutes, will you, old man? And say,
Henderson, will you put it on? And, with
your book, Burton, I'll have what they
want in less than no time"
"We were just going out" began Bur
ton
"Oh that don't matter" said Hender-
son. I'D as soon stay here till you come
back. 1 can't say that 1 care for the ex-
citement of walking up and down the
street looking for hats. u
Burton hesitated. Had he been allowed |
to hesitate longer he would have realized |
that Altman could do any number of lum-
bermen without hat or book But he was
not given time to think. Henderson sug-
gested that it was after o'clock and that
Burton would lose his bet by default if |
he didn't start, SO he borrowed Alman's |
hat and left with Lanam.
Burton's studio fronted on Washington |
square. Burton and his escort walked |
through the square and up Seventh street.
A large crowd of men and boys were cheer
ing extravagantly in front of bulletin |
board, just below Chestnut street, where
the baseball scores were being posted.
Burton and Lanam stopped long enough |
to ascertain that the Phillies were ahead. |
AS they turned to go on again they ran |
into one Of the men who was staring at |
the score. One of the hats was on this |
mans head 1t was counterpart of the |
one Burton had said twas the only one |
in the city" The escort laughed and look