The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1913-04-24
ADVENTURES OF A HAT
By ADDISON HICKOx.

When Andrews announced early IN
June that he was going to buy straw
hat his family knew that summer was
on its way. in spite of the bleak winds
and cold rains that made them all
shiver. Andrews laughed aloud over
the foolishness shown by women IN
being slaves to fashion, but he would
never venture out with straw hat
before the proper moment, even though
he sweltered for weeks.
We'll" his wife sighed. I'm glad OF
II. for that old hat looks too shabby
TO wear any more. All / ask is that
YOU don't get the latest fad in straw
because the latest is never becoming
to you"
"Oh, III get a good one, all right
he assured her cheerfully "A con-
servative model. but one with some
dash Just the same
So he did. He was leaving for
business trip and bought the new hat
on his way to the train, so as TO nave
an up-to-date look when he met the
man with whom he was to transact
business. In the early afternoon a
young boy delivered large round box
at the Andrews home.
Maybe somebody's sent us pres
ent," Lucy Andrews cried in pleasant
authorization. 1T couldn't be flowers,
could it?"
Her mother broke the cord and OPEN
ed the box, and so displayed to view
Andrews old derby.
isn't that just like man." ex-
claimed Mrs Andrews. THE idea of
sending home that old hat! 1t comes
in handy for me. though. because 1
wanted to have Dan carry out some
boxes from the cellar and I'll give this
hat as a reward"
Dan was the furniture man. He was
pleased with what he termed swell
lid" and was profuse in his thanks.
'Tll wear 1t to a christening Thurs.
day week" he said. "An' won't / be
the swell guy, thought!
That night cold rain came down in
torrents, and Mrs. Andrews did not
sleep we'll. because Of new worry
that troubled her. Getting up to look
after the windows, she reused Lucy
to whom she expressed her worry.
Your father'll be home tomorrow
morning" she said. "and I'm perfect
ly sure the first thing he'll ask for Is
that derby hat. If It's raining like
this he just can't wear his new
straw hat to the office. tt would look
absurd
"Oh, never mind" Lucy said consol-
ingly. "You can't tell what the wealth
er's going to be. Maybe it'll be hot
tern anything tomorrow morning"
But it wasn't. Further, Andrews
had barely kissed his wife and daugh-
ter before he asked for his old hat.
"Hat?" his wife said vaguely. What
hat? / thought you wore your hat out
of the store when you bought it."
81 did wear my straw hat. l mean
the derby. It beats all how unaccom-
modating some stores are. The man
promised faithfully to have that derby
up here yesterday afternoon, yet he
doesn't seem to have meant word he
said. Lucy, If you don't eat so rapid
iy you won't choke"
Lucy sat on the window seat in the
dining room for two hours that morn
Ing watching for Dan, supported by
the excitement Of 1t and by the JOY OF
staying at home from school. When
Dan finally arrived she summoned her
mother with joyous shout.
"Tm sorry, Dan," Mrs. Andrews said
awkwardly, "but I didn't understand
that Mr.. Andrews wanted that hat II
you don't mind, I'll be very glad If
you will bring it back today"
"I'll bring it if I can, ma'am,' he
said, grumeily But loaned it to a
friend of mine to wear to a dance to-
night and I've got to hunt him up"
Mrs. Andrews gave him silver dol
lar, which he rung on the step before
he condescended to accept it. Then
there was nothing to do but wait. The
day seemed as long it would never end,
dragging it's weary hours along until
nearly FIVE o'clock, and perilously near
the Homecoming hour.
Dams been here to take out the
ashes" Lucy said, cheerfully. 1
guess he didn't find the hat after ALL"
Mrs. Andrews went out IN the rain
to the next door neighbor's, where she
saw Dan.
"Oh, I got it," he said sourly. "But
/ had to give the feher so cents for
it."
Mrs. Andrews refunded the so cents
and Dan appeared at once at the door
bearing the hat in its box, for all the
world as though it were a wedding
cake or basket Of eggs. Mrs. An
drews was so glad to get it that she
almost wept, and stood off to admire it
after she had hung it on the rack in
the hall.
There's no use saying anything to
papa about it." she told Lucy. 1T
would just worry, him to think had