The herald., 1894-12-02
AN ARTISTIC HAT.


Burton became the possessor of the hat of
West Virginia lumberman, whom he
met in small all night restaurant He
had tried for a week to got one like it
had visited every hat store in Philadelphia
but without success.
Burton was an artist He traded be-
cause the hat struck him as being an ideal
artists hat, and his heart was set on it. It
was large, soft, black, with large brim
and crown carclessly dented 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 a
man named Gillian. 1t was away up un-
der the roof in one of the old buildings
down town on Walnut street. He display.
ed 1t 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
bah! That's nothing new. I've seen
half dozen Of those hats in the CITY,"
$50 have Il' said Henderson.
"Yes; I've seen a few Of them. too
only a few tramps are wearing them,"
cried Lanam.
'I don't believe 1t, 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'n tell you what I'll do: I'll bet all
three Of you SIS apiece that In days
walking over this city you can't find one
of them, In 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 wrong!''
"Why, Burton" said Gillian, "if you
are SO anxious to bet we'll all take SIS
worth of that, and tomorrow afternoon
between and 8 o'clock we'll show you
four hats like your great and only one."
Gillian called Brown to hold the stakes,
and he deposited the necessary IS with
him. Burton put another S. on top of 1T
and held two more bills ready for the 9TH
or defamers Of the hat to put up their
stakes. They were hesitating. Artists are
careful about their SIS 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 tho attention Of the two
duu WluhC0 dG uuolu. 40Cy AA0W uubu q
joke was afoot and put $40 into Browns
hands.
Gillian and his two companions in the
bet lived in tho 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
svery store in town without being able to
find even one of thema And you know
that you have never seen another one."
II thought you wished to let us know
that you could get them!' exclaimed Hen
derson.
"Ah, my sons, don't be 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 60 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 Ianam.
"Thcre arc 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 8 studio,
silently watching the hands Of the clock
as they crept toward L. The hat was on
Burton's head.
1--WE might as we'll start now, he sug-
gestcd, rising.
The TWO others remembered Gillian's
parting rtunotions and said no; they must
ali stick to the agreement and not go
sooner nor later than the hour decided on.
At two minutes to 4 some one was heard
running up the stairs two at TINA The
door was opened, and a man nauted AL
man, who did quick sketches fur The
Runner, came in. He had not seen the
hat the night before.
"By gad, Pm glad I struck you in!"
he saif, speaking very rapidly. II have
to draw picture of southern lumber
man and want to borrow your book Of
well, I'm shot, that's a lumberman's g hat
you have onl Lend me that for about Is
minutes, will you, old man' And, say,
Henderson, will you put it onf And. with
your book, Burton, I'll have what they
want in less than no time"
eve were just going out" began Bur
ton.
"Oh, that don't matter" said Hender-
son. ''Id as soon stay here till you come
back. can't say that care for the ex-
citemcnt of walking up and down tho
street looking for hats"
Burton hesitated. Had he been allowed
to hesitate longer he would have realized
that Altman could do any number of lum-
bermcn 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 il
he didne start, so he borrowed Alman's
hat and left with Lanam.
Bnrton'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 a bulletin
board, just below Chestnut street, where
the baseball scores were being posted.
Burton and Lanam stopped long enough
AS they turned to go on again they ran
into one Of the men who was staring Mt
the score. Ono of the hats was on this
man S mead. 1t was counterpart of tho
one Burton had said twas the only ono
In the city. " The escort laughed and look
eel at Burton in triumph. The latter look
cd puzzled. lie said:
Queer coincidence, ism it?'
Just what told you," said the escort,
still laughing.
They walked up Chestnut street on tho
south side. The people they passed wero
not Of the clito of Philadelphia, for those
who. attend the assemblies do not walk on
Chestnut street in the afternoons If it is
possible for them to keep from it. But
there were the others, Not another one Of