Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1896-08-27


W stead of into the
room reserved for
him, says the Washington Star. In
few moments the servant, finding out
his mistake, conducted Mr. Grey CWho
picked up his coat, hat and bag into
the other room. The wedding cere-
mony over, the evening passed delight
fully in the exchange Of friendly greet
ings and good wishes, and the clergy
man, being an intimate friend, was one
of the last gentlemen to say goodnight
He put on his overcoat, and, hat in
hand, reached the front door, where
he stopped a moment to again say
"good-by" before putting on his Derby.
To his establishment, head, eyes and
ears were covered in an instant by
hat several sizes too large, which mad
been exchanged for one Mr.. Grey had
placed on his coat. Just then the serv-
ant came up to say "a gentleman, who
left his name as 0'Brian Of 2S4 9Th
street, had been unable to find his hat
and had been forced to go off with one
so small 1t would not cover his head at
all, and he would be glad to have his
own when it was found"
Mr.. Grey had to go to an early service
next day and needed proper head COW
ering, and his appearance being too
comical in the "head-over-ears" hat
oou, Fouoad ,noy hin, IN uanturn into
a car to reach home, he decided to
find Mr.. OBrian (although it was after
10 o'clock and make an exchange so
desirable to both. So, keeping on the
darkest side of the street, he reached
2S4 and gently rang the bell. No an
swer. A second and more vigorous
pull caused a window to be raised
quickly, and a female voice called out:
who's there and what's wanted?" lis
Mr.. O'Brian home YETI" said Mr.. Grey.
"No, and he won't be, for no such man
lives here" came in angry tones, Par
don me, but this is 2S4 9th street, where
l was directed, is it not?" mo, it is
2S4 10th street." and down slammed the
window before Mr. Grey could say,
Excuse me-" Much discounted, he
started for the next street and, again
finding 2S4, rang with the assurance of
being right this time. Up went a Sec
ond-story window, and sleepy tone
inquired: whats the matter?" Mr.
Grey raised the hat to be able to see
clearly and politely said: 81 should like
to speak to Mr.. O'Brlan." "He does not
live here, and you should be ashamed
to ring people out of their beds at such
a time of night. Put on that hat and
go home" and with a decided bang
this window went down.
Thoroughly disheartened and per
picked, Mr.. Grey started for neigh
boring drug store, where, apologizing
for his appearance and explaining his
errand, he asked to see a directory
Yes, there was Mr. O'Brian on 9Th
street.-the. 24S. The servant had re-
versed the numbers. Was ever man sc
unlucky in pursuit of his own prop
erty? Where did you get that hat?'
sang voice as Mr. Grey again started
in quest of Mr.. O'Brian. Walking rap
idly, he soon reached 248 but by thi!
time so nervous and exhausted that hi
touched the bell with trepidation, al
though light in the hall proved some
member Of the family had not yet re
tired. The door opened, and he wal
told "Mr. O'Brian had not yet returned
home" 1t was too late to await hi
coming, So leaving his address, the I'm
fortunate wearer of the wrong hat, will
weary steps, made his way to his owl
house, where his wife, wondering ant
worried over his non-appearance, me
him at the threshold. One look, ant
she burst into uncomfortable laughter
in which Mr.. Grey was fain to join a
he told of his chase and the results.
The next morning, hunting up dis
cGrded hat, Mr., Grey proceeded to tn
church, where he conducted the earl
service, while the sexton was sent t
return Mr.. O'Brian's Derby and brin
back that Of Mr.. Grey. The sexton wa
told "Mr. O'Brian had just started to re
turn Mr.. Greys hat" So once more tn
hats played at cross-purposes, and
was not until the sexton went again t
Mr.. O'Brian's that the minister's ha
was recovered. 81 began to feel tina
hat was 'hoodooed, and was doome
to roam the city day and night in 1t
pursuit, while it kept ahead Of m
every time" concluded the rector.