The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-30
CHRISTOPHE. WICKFIS.
Ono or Col. CnIipcr's OId-Time Friends In
storkvillc Centre.


After he had lost one umbrella in that way"
said Col. Callipcr. INV old friend Christopher
Wickfn. who formerly resided in Storkvillc
Centre. W.. made up his mind that he'd never
lose another. that Is. by having it turned inside
out. and he rugged up an arrangement TO pre-
vent ii. This was n pretty elaborate sort Of Il
thing in its details, but in operation 1t was OK
trcmely simple.
"In those days almos, every man in Stork.
vile Centre, and, for that matter, many men in
larger places. too. wore boots. Mr.. WickGn's
umbrella was OF stout cotton, with whalebono
ribs: that was when whnlebonc was cheap, and
before the advent OF the modern umbrella rib OF
channel steel. To the tip of every rib of his UNI
brclla Mr.. Wickln attached a ring. lie wore
around his body II belt. to which were attached
as many cords as there were ribs to his UNI
brella, At the end OF each cord was n snnp hook
which no snapped into its ring at tho end
OF m umbrella rib. From tho belt on
each side OF the body II stout cord
was carried down and run through the boot
strap OH that side and then brought up and
fastened to tho belt, at "A little distance from tho
other end. 30 as to distribute tho strain. Thus
equipped. Mr.. Wickan was prepared TO keep
his umbrella from being blown inside out by any
storm that might como along; the idea that tho
wind might pick him up and carry him aud the
umbrella and everything OFT together never oc-
Cured 10 him. but that was just what happened
on the very first day he tried II.
1T was II tremendous rainy day. with the
wind blowing a gale. and with gusts now and
then that il seemed would blow the roofs Off tho
houses. But that was the sort Of day Mr.. Wick.
fin wanted. and he set out for the Post Office
easy, AMI proud OF tho victory that he had
gained over the elements. An hc walked along
Main street. carrying his umbrella with the
ropes coming down MI around and ccnyGrRing
at his waist. he presented a queer sight, but a
moment later he presented II sight far moro ro-
Iuarkable. A great gust that came roaring
down the street doubled undor Mr.. Wickiin's
umbrella and lifted himO or the Garth. and ear.
Time aud another had seen many strange oights.
but never any quite 20 strange As that.
MI; ,Wickrn Ley go OF ms umbrella, but the
umbrella wouldn't let go Of him, 1t carried
him Up on the wings OF the wind, white all
SiOrkvi,lc Centre looked on at him swaylpg
helpless beneath II. But the wind wns m"Tc.tLl
10 MIN. After carrying MIN Gp and down and
round about for a miuatc ar Two 1t dropped hin
through the ton OF II greenhouse; he SIN shed
more glass ant franc than four umbrellas
would have cost, but he escapes without iEIuEy
10 himself, and for that he was lhHnkful.
"WCll, HIlcr mat experience Mr.. NiCkin
made w his mind that while the Thing was all
right In principle, IL needed some Improvement,
and he fixed an attachment 10 the belt Oy means
OF which he Coull. when he ielt tho wind lliting
him, cast of all the ropes and let tho umbrella
go. Theoretically this was all right; in prac-
tice, when the test came, the tie ropes jammed
on both sides before he could gel them loose,
and up he went again. Then lie hit upon u plan
that would no doubt have worked pcrfcctly:
His own weight was 100 pounds; he adjusted all
the ropes TO u breaking slrnia OF 100, % that
under that pressure the umbrella would Iree
itself from him automatically put ne meyer pnt
this plan In operation., By tho tine he had
worked this out no had discovered that there
are many things that could DO done that are not
worth the doing" ~