The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1913-01-16
ADVENTURES OF A HAT
BY ADDISON HIcKox.

-htu hAQ4 We dullOuUCtu early II
June that he was going to buy a straw
hat his family knew that summer wal
on its way, in spite of the bleak winds
ard cold rains that made them al
SILVER. Andrews laughed aloud Owe
the foolishness shown by women il
being slaves to fashion. but he would
never venture out with a straw hat
before the proper moment. even though
he sweltered for weeks.
We'll" his wife sighed, I'm glad Of
it. for that old hat looks too shabby
to 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"
ooh, I'll get a good one, all right
he assured her cheerfully. "a con-
sentative model. but one with some
dash just the same"
So he did. He was leaving for a
business trip and bought the new hat
on his way to the train, so 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 a large round box
ut the Andrews home.
Maybe somebody's sent us a pres
ent," Lucy Andrews cried in pleasant
anticipation. 1T couldn't be flowers,
could it?"
Her mother broke the cord and open
ed the box, and so displayed to view
Audrews' old derby.
isn't that just like a MANI ex-
claimed Mrs. Andrews. THE idea of
sending home that old hat! It comes
in handy for me, though, because I
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 a swell
lid" and was p%rofuse in his thanks.
I'll wear 1t to a christening Thurs
day week" he said. AN won't l be
the swell guy, thought
That night cold rain came down in
torrents, and Mrs. Andrews did not
sleep well, because of a new worry
that troubled her. Getting up to look
the windows, she reused Lucy
to whom she expressed her worry.
your father'll be home tomorrow
morning." she said. "and I'm perfect
Iy sure the first thing he'll ask for is
hat derby hat. If it's raining like
his he just can't wear his new
hat to the office. tt would look
absurd"
'Oh, new mind" Lucy said consol-
ngly. you can't tell what the wealth
,r's going to be. Maybe it'll be hot
er'n anything tomorrow morning"
But it wasn't. Further, Andrews
lad barely kissed his wife and daugh-
er before he asked for his old hat.
Hiatt" his wife said vaguely. What
lat? I thought you wore your hat out
# the store when you bought it,"
81 did wear my straw hat. l meal
he derby. 1t beats all how unaccom-
nodating some stores are. The man
Iromised faithfully to have that derby
oesn't seem to have meant a word he
aid. Lucy, if you don't eat SO rapid
you won't choke
Lucy sat on the window seat in the
ming room for two hours that morn
watching for Dan, supported by
ne excitement of it and by the joy of
at home from school. When
AN finally arrived she summoned her
with a joyous shout.
I'm sorry, DAN" Mrs. Andrews said
but | didn't understand
lat Mr.. Andrews wanted that hat. II
ou don't mind, III be very glad If
will bring 1t back today"
I'll bring it if | can, ma'am," he
i'd, grumpily. But I loaned it to a
lend of mine to wear to a dance to-
.ght and I've got to hunt him up"
Mrs. Andrews gave him a silver dol
which he rung on the step before
! condescended to accept it. Then
ere was nothing to do but wait. The
seemed as long it would never end.
agging its weary hours along until
,arly five o'clock, and %perilously near
e homecoming hour.
Dams been here to take out the
hes" Lucy said, cheerfully. 81
less he didn't find the hat after ALL"
Mrs. Andrews went out in the rain
the next door neighbours, where she
Dan.
'Oh, I got It," he said sourly. But
had to give the Teller so cents for
Mrs. Andrews refunded the so cents
d Dan appeared at nee at the door
airing the hat in its box, for all the :
rid as though it were a wedding
Ike or a basket of eggs. Mrs. An
sws was so glad to get 1t that she !
most wept, and stood off to admire it |
er she had hung it on the rack in =
! hall. ]
There's no use saying anything to .
pa about it," she told Lucy. 1T :
uld just worry him to think had
much trouble. Here he comes now
The door swung open to admit the
n Of the house and a CLEAN of late
Hello!" Andrews cried breezily. q
y, but I'm glad to get home! Well, :
there's my hat at last, Looks 4
{ of funny. doesn't it? Probably be- =