The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1904-04-01
FLETCHER'S FAULT.

that was the reason, although Fletcher
holds that he was guiltless of coward
Ice, and that nine out Of ten self-re-
specting men would have behaved just
as he did
IL all came about as a result Of Fletch-
er's New Years resolution. The resolu-
lion was not really his. but his wife s.
She cut 1t out Of a magazine and gave
II TO him 10 paste in his hat Fletcher
had Just bought a new derby hat that
day. and he objected to deiacing its
crown.
But you can paste it on the inside" {"
argued Mrs. Fletcher
"Yes." said Fletcher That's where
think it will 90 if paste it at all 1t
would be rather conspicuous on the out
side. But / don't want it anywhere
1t won't DO me any good to make a res
oluuon. III break it right away. /
always do"
But you really ought to try to keep
this" she urged. Just read it and see
what It Is about"
Fletcher took up the clipping she had
laid out on the table and read it aloud:
Resolved. that l will do all in my
power during the coming year to please
my wife"
Mrs Fletcher nodded encouragingly.
We'll" said her husband, presently,
Il don't see why you want to label me
with that. 1t isn't in the least appro-
pirate. always try to please you, and,
besides, I'd feel beastly uncomfortable
going around with a copy book quota
ton OF that kind stuck in my hat Sup
posing my hat should blow of some
time and give the fellows a chance to
see the clipping?"
Il can't see why you should care II
they DO see IT," returned Mrs. Fletcher,
severely. There is nothing disgrace
full, l hope, in trying to please ones
wife"
"On the contrary, it is quite a laud-
able ambition" said Fletcher, meekly.
Still, l don't like to give the men down
town a chance to make laughing stock
Of me-"
In the end, however, Fletcher's argu-
ments proved unavailing. and the res
olution TO promote domestic felicity was
pasted in the crown Of his new derby
hat The day after his capitulation was
a bad day for hats. There were frequent
furries Of snow, and a constant gale Of
wind which took particular delight in
playing pranks with unanchored hats.
Mr.. Fletcher's derby came in for its
share Of bufeting. Twice It was lift
ed from his head and blown into the |
faces Of passersby, who caught It and |
returned It with uncomplimentary re-
marks. A third time It was less fortu-
nate. Fletcher was standing on the |
rear platform Of a Broadway car when a |
bowling blast Of wind made straight at
him and sent his own hat, In company
with two others, careening down the
street. A small boy who had been trail
Ing along in the wake Of the car gave
chase to the fugitive headgear. Two Of
the hats got the start Of him, and were
sent whiTling into the chaotic depths
Of vacant lot; the third lodged in an
angle Of board fence. The boy picked
It up and ran after the car, which was
creeping slowly up the street. A man
who stood jammed against the railing
reached out and took the hat He
hauled II in bottom side up. and in so
doing read the New Years resolution.
"By George!" he said, zone OF you
ellows must be kept in leading strings
III right Which one Of you is It that
s so ground down that you have to
)aste the badge Of submission in your
lat?"
"Not guilty." said the heavyweight
blonde. Il am not married"
Fletcher and the third man were left
o settle it between them. The third {
nan was shabby. He eyed the new
erby longingly. So did Fletcher. but
lis courage had been undermined by the
miles and jocular remarks Of the plat '
orm passengers. and he had not the
ardihOod to acknowledge the luckless {
at. He REDEEMED and shunled uneas- (
". The shabby man noticed the signs {
( confusion. and embraced his oppor-
unity valiantly.
"Its mine" he said. b
One passenger Of independent bear b
lg grinned with fendish superiority. e
That seems to be a new wrinkle for 4
you Of your vassalage," he a
aid. "You have my sympathy" b
Thanks" said the shabby man. q
Maybe do get sat upon once in b
while, but l guess can stand H. If II q
oes her any good to see me tagged with
union label Of this kind, am willing Z
} stand the chatting" u
The shabby man left the car at the "
ext crossing. Fletcher watched him d
0 with a kind of despair. He had paid IL
We dollars for the hat, and its loss un-
ar such humiliaiing circumstances af- VI
cted him sorely. Still. he had de-
led It once, thus making reclamation =
npossible. A by-stander observed his :.
SECTION. -
Il suppose" he said. that it isn't = :.
orth while to 60 back to look for your :
1t. guess It must be done for" =,
q guess It is" said Fletcher, SOL =,
nnly. al
You'll have to stop of and get a new
le. won't your" pursued the man. IT'S b,
'ety tough weather to 90 up town bare a.
.aded." ir
Yea" said Fletcher, "lll get a new ia
le." ID
Fletcher bought a second derby exact
like the first lie hoped thereby to o
oeive his wife and prevent her dis Sc
vering the exchange, but she noticed
e absence Of his resolution. and by gr
grees wormed the whole story out Of N
n. Then was when she called him a
ward, but Fletcher maintains that