The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-27
FHe~svkFANA,s, UMBRELLA.

-
Well" exclaimed an American citizen.
sitting at second story window. looking
out upon a rainy day In Melbourne. of
all examples of reckless speculation, that
heads the ticket.
He had been watching smartly dress
ed young woman who had come uD the
street and entered building across the
way, leaving her umbrella outside the
doorway 10 drip.
Il wonder hcw long an umbrella would
wait for it's owner outside closed door
way in New ork City, on such day
as this?' he added Tefectively, and in
voluntarily drew out his watch, which he
held open in his hand
Two minutes passed Then the Ameri-
can citizen smiled, and closed his watch
with a triumphant snap. returning it TO
his pocket. The world is quite the
same old world everywhere he muttered
as he watched small. fairly dressed
man stop, hesitate a moment, then de-
liberateiy appropriate the umbrella,
stretch ii above his head and hurry
away.
The American citizen 1T a cigar and
sat putting away by the window-it was
entirely too bad a day to venture forth,
and there seemed nothing better 10 do
than to sit there and look out. There
were things TO be msditated anyhow.
But while he was thinking on these. and
after his cigar had burned three minutes.
he suddenly Strengthened up with surprise
the little man who had so recently aD-
proprieted the umbrella across the way
was returning through the falling rain,
with that necessary rainy day article
closed and under his arm. Cautiously he
approached the spot whence ne had taken
it. and. after glancing quickly around
him. replaced the umbrella near the door,
then almost ran from the place.
''Wen.n wo, this is an incident said
the American to himself as he watch
ed the little man making tracks away
from the vicinity. THE most surprising
on record. l should be ready to swear,
of an urnbrellas being returned volunta-
rily."
But the temptation was too great for
the umbrella to remain long undisturbed-
A tall man of slouching appearance was
the next TO see the opportunity. He was
slouching along the pavement. with his
hands thrust deep in his pockets. taking
his drenching carelessly. But the sight
of the umbrella seemed to inspire him
with an idea of protecting himself from
the weather. He made desperate dive
for the article, and once more it started
away.
III wager jewsharp it's gone this
trip" said the American to himself. and
fell back TO an easy position in his chair.
But after a mot;onless five minutes thus
he again leaned forward TO the window
and glanced across the street.
Truly, wonders never cease" he ex-
claimed. The umbrella was leaning
against the wall exactly where its owner
had left it; and the s!ouching stranger
was shambling away in the distance.
This grows interesting" concluded the
American a few minutes later, when a
drayman stopped his team in the street,
leaped to the ground. seized the umbrella,
and. stretching it over him in the most
natural manner, remounted his box and
drove leisurely away.
The American leaned against the win |
dow facing and watched the latest pos |
SCISSOR closely. He drove the distance of |
4 block, then suddenly shifted the UNI |
brella from one hand to the other, and |
looked at the hand just relieved in a puZ-
lied manner. In an instant the umbrella |
vas closed; the drayman. leaping from |
his seat, ran with it back down the |
street quickly depositing it where it's |
original owner had left it. The thing was |
growing mysterious as well as interest |
ng: and the American did not again !
from the window.
In the next fifteen minutes. no less than
hree other men had borrowed and as |
and mysteriously returned that |
rery ordinary looking umbrella. At this |
ime the American leaned from the win
low and called an officer who had stop |
bed on the sidewalk below.
Watch the umbrella across the street"
re said, "but don't so fafter the thief |
should one come by
The officer nodded. and the two had not |
ong to wait for the thief; nor long to |
wait for his return of the property
stolen
What do you think of that perform
lnce?" called the American from the
window
II will take a look at the umbrella"
vas the reply; and the officer crossed
he street. Taking the umbrella in his
land he examined the handle, then,
quickly replacing it, hurried away with
nut so much as a glance at the Ameri-
ans window.
"Well." muttered the ankee, Il guess |
an see for myself and he arose with
he. Intention of crossing the street.
But just at that moment, the owner of
he umbrella came from the building,
Tipped glove on her right hand, and
tretched the umbrella. The American
urried away from the window, found his
wn umbrella and fastened into the
treet starting in careful pursuit of the
MARTY >-ressed woman. After following
er for two blocks, he found that he
Tas himself being followed. and by the
nicer whose attention he had called TO
he umbrella. The latter was not shad-
wing, but seemed Fastening 10 overtake
i'm. This he did in a few minutes. and
atching the American by the shoulder.
You are doing a very dangerous
hing. Come inside here a moment"
They entered hallway which seemed to
g a place of seclUsion.
You are a foreigner2" said the officer. |
Yes acknowledged the American.
Then as a bit OF confidential informa-
lon. I will tell you that was the Sui
ana's umbrella"
The Sultana's? Who is the Sultana?" /
sked the other.
why the Sultana is the queen Of the
ush Iarrilxins. 1t may cost those who
orrowed that umbrella today their lives. |
q the handle IS contained caustic, in
elible, green fluid which the heat OF the /
and causes 10 expand and creep through |
mall pores in the wood and painfully
aturate the palm. marking il indelbly /
18th a peculiar design in the handle. |
hose OF her household who use the Sui
ana s umbrella-so We learn b. the secret {
ieans which we employ To learn many
lings-use an asbestos lined glove on the /
and which grasps the handle."-Chas.
Reid.