Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1913-01-04
ADVENTURES OF A HAT
ey ADDISON HlcKox.

lat hi; fGmliy knnT that summer Was
/ "a IS way, in spitsi of the bleak winds
and cold rains that made them all
| SILVER Andrews laughed aloud over
the foolislness shown by women IN
being slaves to fashion, but he would
| never venture out with q straw hat
before the proper moment, even though
he sweltered for weeks.
Well" his wife sighed, I'm glad OF
It. for that old hat looks too shabby
10 wear any more. All l ask is that
you don't get the latest fad in straw
because the latest IS never becoming
to you
"Ch, I'll get good one, all right"
ne assured her cheerfuliy. "A con.
seryative model, but one with some
| dash just the same"
So he did. He was leaving for q
business trip and bought the new hat
On his way to the train, 30 as to have
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
emit" Lucy Andrews cried in pleasant
anticipation. ut 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! It comes
In handy for me, though, because l
wanted to have Dan carry out some
boxes from the cellar and III 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.
I'll wear it to a christening Thurs
day week" he said "An' won't l be
the swell guy, though!'
That night cold rain came down in
torrents, and Mrs. Andrews did not
sleep we'll. because OF a 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. land I'm perfect
" sure the first thing he'll ask for is
that derby hat. IL 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 sai3 vaguely. "Whas
hat? I thought You wore your hat out
of the store when you bought it."
ct did wear my straw hat. I mean
the derby. It beats all how unaccom.
modating some stores arc. The man
! promised faithfully to have that derby
up here yesterday afternoon, yet he
ggaafd:n l sGem TO baradRt" ed" SO rapid.
Iy you won't choke"
Lucy sat on the window seat IL the
dining room for two hours that morn
ing watching for Dan, supported Dy
the excitement Of it and by the JOY OF
staying at home from school. When
Dan finally arrived she summoned her
| mother with a joyous shout.
I'm 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"
"Tll bring it If I can, ma'am," he
said, grumpily. But loaned it to a
| friend of mine to wear to dance to-
night and I've got to hunt him up
Mrs. Andrews gave him silver dol
ier, which he rung on the step before
he condescended to accept it. Then
there was nothing 10 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 hero to take out the
ashes" Lucy said, cheerfully. i
guess he didn't find the hat after ALL
| Mrs. Andrews went out in the rain
10 the next door neighbours, where she
saw Dan.
"Oh, got it," he said sourly. "But
had to give the Teller 80 cents toT
It."
Mrs Andrews refunded the 80 cents
and Dan appeared at once at the door
bearing the hat in its box, for all the
world as though it were wedding
cake or basket Of eggs. Mrs. An
drews was so gla1 to get it that she
almost wept. ard stood Off to admire il
after she mad hung it on the rack in
the hall.
There's no use saying anything to
papa about it." she told Lucy. III
would just worry him to think / had
so much trouble. Here he comes now
The door swung open to admit the
man OF the house and CLEAN OF late