The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-09-25

Umbrella
How 1t Settled the Trip to
New York
By WILLIAM HUGO PABKC
Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co.

+ copyright Dy FRANK A. Munsey 60. 4
Benjamin Franklin Todd sat down
on the plush seat beside his wife of
two hours and thirty-seven minutes,
pulled down his white waistcoat to ft
snugly that portion Of his anatomy that
it was intended to lit. and peered past
Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Todd into the
mystery Of the darkening train shed.
HUH" he exclaimed. putting out his
chest proudly. The folks back home
said we couldn't get to N'York city
alone. did they? I'll show 'em. Why,
Pansy. the worst is over; we're on the
right train. anyway"
They don't know how smart my
Benny is" she averred cooingly.
Course we'll get there"
Benny assumed an expression Of vast
pride. He vas bursting into speech
when Il sudden panicky thought forced
the glance Of his china blue eyes up
ward toward the baggage rack over
head.
He made a quick mental inventory
of his and his brides belongings.
"Pansy!!" The shrill treble held q
note Of utter horror. II forgot the
umbreller!!" he walled.
A glance at his watch treasured him
that the train would not leave for six
minutes.
"Oh. Benny! And it was our wed
din present from Uncle Elihu!"
I'll get it. It's in the lunch ROOM
he declared. with Importance.
you'll get left sure" worried his
wife. Don't 60. Benny. It'd be just
awful to get separated SO soon."
Leave it to me-" ordered the young
husband. III you're v while
I'm gone just walk to the very last car
Of the train. m you can see me comm
back"
He, trotted through the car and hop
ped down the steps.
A boy in a shabby uniform and
visered cap passed close by.
Say. hoy" piped Benny. want .
jsbT"
"Don't mind" said the boy sadly.
my umbreller. l left it in the res
taurant. Upstairs. you know-across
there. It's n weddin' present. You
bring It here. an'-an' I'll Tx you up.
WILL"
"A right. n right" The boy turned
away YEARLY. "WMit here" he threw
' his shoulder.
Benny waited Obelientiy. but nervous
~. When hp was sure that the hoy
had been . half MI hour ut least he
looked ut his watch. There was still q
minute to spare. He graSped the hand
rail Of the last car and held on with
grim determination. At ANY rate the
train could not ESCAPE. him.
A tall. gangling man in overalls. car
ryfng a lantern and hammer. passed.
regarding him curiOuxly.
Hey! called Benny. Train rr
N'York leave On this track?" he que
ried to make conversation.
IeI@trdtk Id.
The bridegroom shivered: he was
naturally surerstitiOus. The next mo-
ment ne caught sight Ut the boy COM
ing through the gate with the precious
umbrella in his hand
Here y'are!" said the boy. holding
out the umbrella. ferrule first.
Mr.. Todd offered Il dime. which was
scornfulIy rejected. augmented the fee
ing into violent contact with his gan,
Cling friend.
where ye goin':"
ITO catch my train" gasped Benny
one piacidly.
The belated bridegroum's bands shot
up and clutched the rpassuring brass
rail again.
ut amt went: 1t amt WENT be-
shrilled. i've got aholt Of it,"
With the contemptuous calmness Of
his class. the railroad man pulled Ben.
jamin Franklin to one side and point.
ed. The car had been left.
my wife: My wife!' shrieked the
youthful husband wildly. "Oh. what
will I do? I've lost my wife,"
'C0me with me-"
They raced across tracks. through
car vestibules. up a flight of iron stairs
and burst into a large where a
myriad Of telegraph instruments chat
tered their uninteliigible gossip all at
once.