Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-08-01
TALE OF A HAT.
She had sat down on his hat

oO lmpOSluB.
People who are wholly grown up
don't need to be told that Lillian was
very young and painfully self con-
scious. Most Of them have memories.
But other very young persons may like
to be told. They need all the comfort
they can get out Of life.
After awhile Lillian sat up, wiped
her eyes and thought some more. What
could she do to redeem herself. she
wondered. Was there anything?
She could send him new hat. But
no; that might offend him.
Write him a note and tell him Of her
contrltion? That possibility was
cheering.
But after all 1t is not Lilllan's letters,
but the replies they elected that count
In this story. Here is the first:
Dear Miss Stewart have so very,
very many things to say to you that l
really am at loss to know Just where
to begin. But capital things should ev-
er have precedence, and so will begin,
not ex ovo, but ct capite.
you no doubt remember that after
noon when my proud and lofty helm
was resting calmly and peacefully on a
chair in Miss Beekman's drawing
room. You can imagine my horror
when saw you sit down ON 1t. 1t was
not for my hat at all! Oh, no! But
l knew there was an enormous cubic
capacity within 1t, and l was terrified
lest the fall from crown to brim should
hurt you. And when l saw you quite
unharmed / was happy. And now
comes the most curious part of my sto-
ry. l took my hat with me to college
the following Monday. 1t had BASIN
like hollow of considerable depth on
the crown and looked very swagger.
My heart swelled with pride when I
observed the attention people were CIV
ing me-young women especially. One
Of my friends accosted me enviously, Il
thought you didn't go in for style, and
here you have one of the most stylish
hats in the college!'
Then 1t dawned upon me why
smashed hats were so fashionable. 1t
was because some sweet and lovely girl
had left the stamp of personality upon
each. A new study began fer me. l
commenced to divine the characters of
the young women from the impress up
on the various hats that perambulate
the college yard. And l assure you
there is no study so deeply interesting.
All things lose themselves in this. You
realize at glance a mans mission on
earth. 1t is to wear hat that has
been crushed by-well, l have told you,
AS ever, JACK FIELDING"
Now, to an ordinary mind that would
seem a most reasonable and soothing
letter-just whimsical enough to be
pleasing. Nothing short Of genius in
self reproach could have discovered re-
buke in 1t. But Lillian found 1t.
Result-more remorse, and after an
interval note No. Q. Its expression of
depression brought the following:
Dear Miss Stewart-'Joking aside
you have taken the hat episode in a
very serious light / now have only
the faintest recollection of that even
ing, and 1t is only after an effort that |
have succeeded in bringing heincident
to mind. l remember looking at my
hat the other day and noticing that 1t
was not quite CONNIE II faut, but for
the life of me l could not have told to
which of It's numerous misfortunes its
dropping, fainting appearance was due.
So was amused to hear. that the mat
ter has been an occasion of self casti-
cation to you.
Il can only believe that you have tried
to look at yourself, not through my
eyes, as you express 1t, but through
the eyes of certain somebody you i'm
agine me to be. That somebody Is a
very priggish, sedate, serious and pc
a anrk f,fa pall
between you and me, he and | have
nothing in common. In truth my
chief delight is to be amused, and moth
ing amuses me so much as the serious
ness with which people take me. Be-
lieve me, there is nothing serious in
me except that desire not to be serious
ly serious.
Il have already had more than Its
moneys worth of amusement out of my
hat, and l must express my gratitude
to you. who have been the cause of 1t
all. Sincerely yours,
JACK FIELDING"
Amused! He dared to be amused at
this tragedy-this unutterable disgrace
that had come upon her. Lillian again
found consolation in her divan cush-
ions and again lifted her head bravely
to stem the current of her woe. He
must, he should understand her posi-
tion. How could she meet him at the
Masons' tomorrow and the Loomises'
the day after, knowing his contempt?
How could she see In his eye only
amusement where she had before-or
did she only imagine it-found tender
ness? Shed try again.
Forth went the third silly little note,
incoherent. unintelliglble, except to one
who knew hearts and SO held the key
To his intense surprise, the man to
whom 1t was addressed found that he
understood 1t. Then, with every nook
and corner Of his mind illumined by a
great light, he read its two predeces-
sors. marveling at his obtuseness.
And this is the missive a messenger
boy bore to Lillian:
MY Dear-Forgive me, but you are