The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-08-14
TheDivorcing:
Umbrella
How 1t Settled the Trip to
New York

on the plush seat beside his wife OF
two hours and thirty-seven minutes,
pulled down his white waistcOat to At
snugly that portion of his anatomy that
1t was intended to fit, and peered past
Mrs. Benjamin Franklin Todd into the
mystery Of the darkening train shed.
'Huhw 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 therev'
Benny assumed an expression Of vast
pride. He was bursting into speech
when 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 a
note of utter horror. 81 forgot the
umbrellerw he walled.
A glance at his watch treasured him
that the train would not leave for six
minutes.
"Oh, Benny! And it was our we'd
din present from Uncle Elihuw
"Ill get it. It's in the lunch room,"
he declared, with Importance.
you'll get left sure" worried his
wife Don't go, Benny. It'd be just
awful to get separated so soon."
Leave it to me-" ordered the young
husband. IF you're nervous while
Pm gone just walk to the very last car
Of the train, an you can see me comm
back"
He trotted through the car and hop
ped down the steps.
A boy in a shabby uniform and
visored cap passed close by.
"Say, boy" piped Benny, want
job?"
Don't mind" said the boy sadly.
"My umbreller. l left it in the res
taurant. Upstairs, you know-across
there It's a weddin present. You
bring it here, an'-an' I'll fix you up, 1
will"
"a right, "a right" The boy turned
away YEARLY. "Wait here" he threw
over his shoulder
Benny waited obediently, but nervous
ly. When he was sure that the boy
had been gone half an hour at least he
looked at his watch. There was still a
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
rying a lantern and hammer, passed,
regarding him curiously.
"Heyw called Benny. "Train f'r
N'York leave on this track?" he que
ried to make conversation.
"Yep-track 13."
The bridegroom shivered; he was
naturally superstitiOus. The next mo-
ment he caught sight of the boy COM
ing through the gate with the precious
umbrella in his hand
Here y'arew said the boy, holding
out the umbrella, ferrule first.
Mr.. Todd offered a dime, which was
scornfully rejected, augmented the fee
with quarter and turned to fly, COM
ing into violent contact with his gan
Cling friend.
where We goin'?"
ITO catch my trainH gasped Benny.
"TOO late; it's went" said the tall
one placidly.
The belated bridegroom's hands shot
up and clutched the reassuring brass
rail again.
at amt went! 1t amt wentv' he
1--WE got aholt of itr'
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 wifer' shrieked the
youthful husband wildly. "Oh, what
will I do? I've lost my wifev'
"Come with me-
They raced across tracks, through
car vestibules, up flight of iron stairs
and burst into large room where
myriad Of telegraph instruments chat
tered their unintelligible gossip all at
once.
To Benny they seemed to mock his
plight In gay abandon Of meaning
less sound. The Overalls came to a
halt beside a young man with a green
shade over his eyes, whose fingers
rested idly for a fraction of second
on his key.
Herb. this kids lost his mother
/ mean his wife. She went out on Al.
Shoot message to Clancy, will yer? |
An see 4 you en- get 'em together
again"
GAN right; catch i'm at Brightside,"
Herb complied. Name? Description" |
he barked, glancing at Benny.
"She-she's big, tall girl" blurted |
her husband-"about two inches tall
er N me, an
Herb snickered. "Go on" he order
ed crisply.
can her names Pansy Butterworth." |
Herb was calling BIS, BIS. "Got'em,"
he grunted.
wait! No, 1t ain'tw cried the for |
yetful husband. ut useter be Pansy |
n 80 b,.t sfyS Arc Todd pn~- II