The Lamar register., 1908-09-02
The TALE OF
| AN UMBRELLA


traries
Mrs. Longman lived in New York
the paradise of the rich. because she
was poor and literary.
Mrs. Wealthy Widow lived in one
of the suburbs because she had money
and wanted to keep 1t.
Mrs. Longman was tall and untidy-
a woman who always had rip In her
sleeve. tear in her skirt and some
buttons of.
Mrs. Wealthy Widow was short
rather stout and as neat as a pin; al
though her husband had been dead
beyond the formal period of mourning
she still chung to habiliments of black
Neither of these ladies' was aware
of each others existence until they
CHANGED to meet at summer colony
Why they became friends? II
would be hi..d to say, but everybody
knows there is something In the all
of summer resting places which makes
queer friendships.
BY midsummer these two ladies
we're as intimate as the blind man and
MS dog.
At the end of the summer. like
David and Jonathan, they could moi
bear to part.
The middle OF September came. Mrs
Longman said she ought to go back
to the city Mrs. Wealthy Widow said
she must go home.
They parted with a mighty wrench
many kisses and heaps Of promises te
see each other soon.
2. THE GIFT.
II was late in October before Mrs
Longman had her Apartment settled
her rips and tears sewed up and was
buttoned throughout.
Then she thought Of her DEAF
friend, Mrs. Wealthy Widow.
II must spend the day with her.
she said.
So she did.
Mrs. Wealthy Widow welcomed hel
with opened arms. warm kisses AND
hot tea
The day was spent in picking oveI
the past summers gossip.
Mrs. Longman prolonged her visit
until the COWS came home, and II
poured little cisterns.
Never mind" said the widow, 81
will give you an umbrella. 1t IL q
blue silk one. ! can't use 1t as l an
in mourning. Don't bother to return
it."
Mr.. Longman didn't.
3. REVELATIONS.
Time new into November and thu
widow had not returned Mrs. Long
mans visit. neither had she heard
from her.
Early In December Mrs. Longmar
received q brief note from the widow
1t was a request for the return OF the
blue silk umbrella. The widow had
left on her weeds and It would Just
match 4 new blue dress.
Mrs. Longman Immediately sent the
umbrella back by express. The 70
ceipt she carefully deposited in thu
scrap basket.
Christmas came and went. Mrs.
Longman had neither seen nor heart
from the widow.
The middle Of January Mrs. Lons
man received . still briefer note from
the widow asking for an immediate n
turn Of the same blue silk umbrella
Mrs. Longman took = postal ant
wrote, II did send it." and began Il
think Of the receipt
Time went ON a. It always will, bu
Mrs.. Longman heard nothing from he
dear friend. not even an answer to he
postal.
One day. much to her surprise. sh'
received a letter from the widow'i
legal adviser. requesting the return o
blue silk umbrella. borrowed the pre-
ceding October.
Darn the woman," said Mrs. Long
man. and wrote the legal gentleman
she had sent the umbrella back b,
express in December.
where is the receipt" replied tn,
legal gentleman.
81 have lost IT." wrote Mrs. Long
man.
Then what evidence has my ellen
that you ever sent it?" replied tn,
legal gentleman.
my word" wrote Mrs. Longman.
your word is not sufficient" re
piled the legal gentleman.
Mrs. Longman's Indignation did no
permit her to answer. AS she heart
nothing more she quickly forgot al
about the matter.
The widow did not forget. Sh'
wanted that blue silk umbrella. 1
matched her dress.
Once more she requested her lega
adviser to write, demanding the re
turn Of the blue silk umbrella. or thu
payment Of i've dollars or threat
ened suit.
On receipt of this last communica
ton Mrs. Longman fell into tears ant
said, How could she?"
Then she took a sheet of paper
wrote, you nasty thing" inclosed
nve-dollar bill and sent it to her deal
friend.
EA No indian oypsies.
N 4he Journal of the Gypsy Lor,