The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1922-04-13
PAS UMBRELLA
BY MARJORIE GATES

&S9Oo7o1o1Q0.6C6C6,ke1o
G. 1922. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
'.Now, pa, don't you lose that UNI
brella, whatever you do!'' quoth Ma
Hanley, with touch of aggressive
ness as she gave the tie under her
better half's ear witch around to
plumb and ascertained that handker-
chief lay in his back pocket. Don't
forget an leave it anywheres, cause
umbrellas is dreadful expensive this
year an, besides, we've got the back
Of the barn to single this spring and
we might jest as well be a-savin' OF
umbrellas as anything else!"
Pa submitted meekly to resound-
ing kiss on his chin aud departed with
the Importance of the rain-shedder
firmly implanted in his mind and the
actuality lightly crooked over the ell
bow Of his left arm.
Ma was generally right, and pa
knew it, but he was nevertheless
aware that there was something
wrong-vaguely amiss-with that UNI
brella.
II believe I'll jest drop into Abe
Finley's on my way downtown" he
thought. perhaps can put this pesky
petticoat behind his door or leave 1t
on his yellow piazzy or somewheres."
Pa shuddered at the thought of a
pea-green umbrella on yellow YER
apda. "Sakes alive! Folks 'ud think
the circus was a-comin to town! Nope
Jest can't do that. I'll have to leave
it behind his kitchen door,"
But luck wasn't with him. His
guardian angel had Joined the union
and never worked overtime. Abe Fin
ley was not at hotne.
"Oh. I know! I'll go in here and
see Mis- Smith a minute he decided
as he neared very neat white house
under the rise of the next hill. It'll
jest stop around an see how 'B1jah Is
this n1ornin' an inquire after 'Tildy's
husband. But, land alive, she's neate1
than wax, an she'll see this here an
| noyance afore ever [ get out OF sigh
over the htll.'
Quite so! NO sooner had pa sur
vived Almeda Smiths tale Of troub
lous times and departed minus UNI
brella and worry, than Almeda spice
tie cause of his shame and, grabbing
it in a determined hand, rushed to thu
front door.
| "Uriah!" she shrieked, "Uriah Han
ley! Here's your umbrella!' Pas bac]
was non-committal, and he feigne'
temporary deafness. Again came tn
shrill cry: "Uriah! U-r-i-a-h Hanley
You left your umbrell-a!''
With a resigned sigh pa turned an
went back! Almeda was smiling -'on
ear to ear. Land! But Mis-
Hanley 'ud be mad if you lost tina
umbrella" she said. "It's dretful han
some an you can't buy silk like tha
is nowadays"
'Thanks,'' said pa Eyes, yes" an
went on. Could he never dispose Q
that awful green umbrella! Would h
always have to carry it! Aha! Jus
then he spied a barrel setting near 10
Shows barn, and promptly acting upo
impulse, he thrust the umbrella in an
, We'll OuL VI SHEAI. EAiCA SAAS A1~ 49,
light-hearted, he Sc: out at muc
brisker pace for town. If his conscien<
troubled him at ALL nobody knew
and all the loafers at the Grocery an
Provisions Store declared, with crac]
er barrels for firm foundation, thu
, "Old man Hanley is a-gittin' young
every year"
+ On the homeward journey, lade
| down with his recent purchases al
; lost in thoughts Of cedar shingles al
: staging, pa had little time to mott
the darkling skies and leaden cloud
Only when a fair-sized hallstol
bounced off his nose did he realize Il
o state Of the weather. He began
!, hurry as fast as his tired old fe
would take him toward Joe Snow
9 barrel and the despised umbrella. HI
y ror of horrors! The barrel was gor
= And there upon the ground lay t
, remnant Of violent green umbrel
- the yellowish ivory handle showing t
~ unmistakable MARKS of pupp!
:. teeth. the ribs pointing hlther a
. thither and tatters of green silk hyl
- toward the four winds Of heaven!
q Abstractedly pa raised the wre
over his head and walked the mile