An Umbrella Protector.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 253, 25 April 1888, Page 4

An Umbrella Protector.

TiiK barkeeper culled hih attention to a punted caid which hung .seveial Icet above the lack on the wail. It icad as follows : - 'Anyone attempting to steal this umbrella ih expected to .set 'em up 1' This card hung .so high on the wall that a (MSiuil observer would fail to notice it. The 'bai keeper, with an eye to business, had all these pioliminaiics. iully arranged tor the ih.-t rainy day of the .season, it na s early in the morning that hi.s initial \ictim appealed. The humid .-loud;- weie distilling a drenching shower as an able piaetitioncr appeared for hi.s morning cocktail, iie diank the liquid contiadiction with infinite ioli<sh. and fclien, buttoning up his coat, moved towaids the door. The mnbiella caught his eye. It was laining eats and dogb. The downpour was piodiuioii-'. Ho ci-L a furtive but huined glance over his shouldci at the barkeeper . That ingenious worthy was giving hi-, whole attention to his glasses. The law yer s hand went out swiftly to the alluring umbrella. He touched ths handle-- tliealaim lang out deal and distinct -the bai keeper turned hi-, luminous eyes on the uulpiit. ' O1(J man,' ho obsei\ed with gentle ten dcino-j, 'just read that cud abose your head.' The lawycV.s glance took in the situation and he returned to the countei. ' What shall it be?' lie inquhed, with all a lawyer's eflrontery. ' Well,' replied the bai keeper, as you and J are the only pci ion's piocnt, 1 reckon you will ha\e to stand a small bottle. ' Set it up.' The wine was drunk, and then the disciple of Klaekstone, tiuc to hi.s calling, .mnounced his intention of remaining d few minutes to what the nc\t customer would do. Even a& he spoke, a bustling, active biokcr put in an appeal ancc. 'Whiskey stiaight, please' Its .in au fid wet morning.' And, -c.ircely waiting foi hi& change, he was hurrying out, when his feet seemed glued to the floor. A ssvitt glance \\<i.s (dst back at the dis-pons-ei of drinks, and then his neivoun imgcis closed iirmly on the handle ot the umbiclla TJie warning bell langoutits signal, and the barkeeper and lawyer gazed in astonishment at the piltetet. ' \ uu had better look at the cud on the wall." mildly .suggested the gentleman with the white apron. The biokor looked, and ctmc back .slowly to the b;u '1 gue-s well have a bottle on this., but 1 d like to .stay heie a vJnle and see --onie othei fellow caught.' Arid he did. Theie was a constant influx of \isitor.--, and the w dining bell King almost incosanth. I*] very man stayed to .see bomo othei culj)iit e.uiL'lit in the act. The hou-e ne\er did such .i thiixing business. And it has kept upe\ei since. A mvsteiious ruinoui went abroad that .somet hing out ot the ouhnaiy l way was to be seen at the place in question, I and e\ciy day since the saloon has been in\aded by eagei ciowd-. The niiny weather [ ha*; kept the tiap in active opciation. And as tho>e who go in and aie bitten remain to see who will be the nc\t unfortunate ' .setting 'em up foi the ciowd ' becomes a veiy >seiious business. Occasionally the man 'pleads poveity, but the} make himlea\e Ilia watch oi diamond i ing while he goes out tor the money to ledeem it. Theie is no backing down. The man bad rather tieat than to be thought a thief in earnest, and tlm is the only loophole lie Iris ioi Cfccape.