Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-05
SOMEBODY WILL GIVE CHASE.
No Cause for Anxiety When IA Mans
Hat is Blown Away.

No Cause for Anxiety When a Mans
Hat is Blown Away.
From the Chicago Daily Tribune.
Two fashionably dressed young men were
standing in the doorway of South Side
club house, One of them wore a white.
soft hat; the other a straw. The day was
hot and sultry and the man with the felt
hat was perspiring freely.
why don't you wear a straw hat?" asked
his companion. 1T is lighter and much
cooler these hot days
II would, only 1t is SO much trouble you
know" replied the other. 'One is always
afraid a straw -. VIII blow of"
mo trouble at ALL retorted the first.
Let other people run after your hat. You'll
ind hundreds OF men who seem to take a
delight In running after hats not their
own. Just try It and see"
A reporter tried ii on windy day. With
brand-new hat of oat straw, light as a
feather. tilted careiessly on the back of
his head so as to give the wind ample
chance, he boarded a West Madison street
car and started down town. The car reach
ed Ashland avenue. gust OF wind swept
along and of went the hat. The reporter
grabbed for it-but too late. Slap went the
tightly woven straw into a fat woman's
face. She screamed. clutched the hat with
both hands. and looked daggers at the
owner AS he walked back three seats TO
claim II.
why don't you get one Of those 'ninny'
strings to Keep your hat out of other peo-
pies faces" she cried angriy.
The owner nervously resumed his seat
Just before Halstead street was reached
the passengers were startled by a woman
cries followed by a signal to stop the car.
oh! my hat! my hat, won't some one
get it?'' she screamed at the top of her
voice. The reporter did not stir. He knew
the voice; II, as well as the hat, belonged to
the fat woman. 1t was his turn to laugh
this time and though he did not do SO he
felt tempted to say something about min
ny" strings.
The conductor ran a half block before he
caught up with the hat. He bent down to
PICK IL up, when another gust of wind blew
II out Of his reach. He ran fifty feet fur
Their and finally succeeded In stopping its
flight and spelling Its shape with his boot.
The test was rext resumed along State
street. With the hat placed ready for ac-
ton the reporter started TO cross Madison
street. The wind was blowing from the
lake and by simply turning around at
sharp angle the feat was accomplished.
Up few the hat. Ten feet In the air 1t
sailed and made curve which would have
delighted 'Old Urcie Anse." just then the
vgflant eye Of a police officer caught sight
OF II and he took a 'swipe" at II with his
club III he had not IL would have struck
his face and there would have been more
trouble. Persuaded by the club the hat
changed its course. and with a twirling mo-
tion landed in the middle of the street
Just as II was bobbing up and down ready
to resume its journey three newsbcys made
a rush for IT. One of them grabbed il. The
other two tried TO get II away from him.
and the hat would probably have been torn
to pieces had not its owner claimed il in
time. Give us de butt. mister said the
boy who had hold of the hat, at the same
time pointing at the reporters cigar stump
The exchange was made.
The straw hat was next taken toward
Michigan avenue. but before Wabash ave
nue. was rev he'd of ii flew again. Three
men chased after 1t. Two of them after
running half a block gave IL up: the third
ore. more persistent. followed 1t. On rolled
the hat The reporter was standing on the
corner watching the fun. The man ap-
parently thinking II was within reach grab
bed for II, but II fooled him. Away IL went
with the man closely following. and he i'm
turn followed by half a dozen other. sprint
ers-but too late. 1t landed under the wheel
OF a heavily laden truck.
C-r-r-rack! What was before a fashion
able hat and the pride Of the hour was re-
duced to a muddy mass Of straw. But IL
had served a purpose. the claim OF the
Eatty young man on the club house steps
had been made good.