Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-02-22
'WHYY'''
nj BARRy PAIN.


Sac wore the expression Of an earnest
inquirer, but that may have been deep
tive At rare intervals look at utter
devil flashed at the back Of her eyes; also,
her skirts were short, and she was too
young TO be reverent. Possibly, she had
realized that if you want to see importance
and dignity doing their best with the least
possible encouragement, you have only to
take any public official at any public gal
lery. But / do not pretend 70 explain; /
merely record the facts.
AT the entrance a maa of presence in
a uniform that happily blended the field
marshal and the third footman, pro-
lssss All sticks and umbrellas on the
gsst please"
No one else was entering at the mo-
u8ent; tie proclama ton was for the young
ginr-ail Of tin its beautiful entirety.
She surveyed the proclaimer with visit
full and admiring eye. Then she said, tim
idly:
..whys"
had ever meekly bowed before the edics;
it had trembled and obeyed; it had de-
posted all its sticks and all its umbrellas
at The ClOdhIuOIl Oh tnt tiEHt. Anu IL hau
never asked why. The public idea when
in good temper is sheep; and when in
bad temper is lunatic. In picture
gallery it has learned from tradition that
it is enjoying itself, and is therefore in a
good temper.
Because it's the rule, miss" said the
official-and he would have been more ter
rible if she had been less pretty. "All
sticks and umbrellas is to be left at the
cloakroom on the right. Can't be ad-
mitted to the galleries otherwise"
81 see," she said. Thank you so much.
Thank YOU" And she turned sharp to
the left.
ION the right" thuhdered the official.
why" said the girl, more wistful than
ever.
Because the cloakroom's on the right.
I've said it three times now" he added, in
tone of weak complaint.
EYES," said the girl, but that was for
sticks and umbrellas You see, this isn't
. stick, and it isn't an umbrella"
"Perrasawls," aaid the official, super
ciliously, "perrasawls is the same A. UNI
brellas You'll have to leave that at the
cloakroom on the right" He became sud
denly plaintive Now don't give no more
trouble" he said.
The girl seemed distressed. Have I
troubled you, I'm so sorry. didn't
know it hurt you for people to go to the
left I'll 60 TO the right at once"
She did 20. She found herself face to
face with counter ON which reposed
the sticks and umbrellas of the obedient
public--the public that was now wander
ing round the galleries above, and trying
hard, but with no conspicuous success, to
say something about the pictures which
would not be absolutely idiotic
Behind the counter was another official.
He was thin, dry and old; and he was
intensely businesslike. He came forward
rapidly, tearing off the numbered slip
from the perforated book He had all the
air Of a man cashing check for a large
amount as personal favor. yours il
four one five three, miss" he said.
The young girl picked up equity, tick
eted umbrella which was lying on the
counter.
"And how much Is this one?" she asked.
"This amt shop. We take charge of
one FIVE three, if you'll kindly hand it
over"
"But I don't think / want to hand it
over" said the girl, thoughtfully.
30, very Welt" said the old but perky
official. "If you don't leave that UNI
brella you won't be allowed to see the
pictures" And he had a sufficient convic-
tion that this closed the discussion. lie
looked like it, too.
"Why?" said the young girl.
you'll soon find ont why. Because
| it's the rule"
Its the rule? Why"
The old man had seen nothing like this
before, but he restrained himself. Leave
that umbrella, or you amt let in to the
pictures. That's all I've got to say"
"Why? What pictures! don't want
to see any pictures. l hate pictures.
l only came in because it looked like
rain, and it looked just like an UNI
brella shop. Are you really quite sure it's
not an umbrella shop"
Look here" said the outraged official,
you'd better 60"
WHY" said the girl, after reflective
pause.
why, Because we don't have any
| jokes here. We don't like them and we
don't want them"
Don't like them" said the girl, with
wonder in her eyes.
Certainly not"
Don't want them"
"No, we don't. There's place for
everything. If you want to play the fool
you'd better 60 elsewhere"
| There was long, long pause. The girl
looked around her, shy and timid, but
still with the air Of the earnest inquirer
Suddenly she concentrated herself on the
| official
WHY" she said.
| understand that the posts Of janitoz
and cioakroom attendant at that gallery
are at present vacant. Apply early Black
and White.