THE UMBRELLA RACKET.

Temuka Leader, Issue 986, 3 August 1882, Page 3

THE UMBRELLA RACKET.

A Hartford, Conn., man was denouncing newspaper advertising to a crowd of listeners. " Last week," said he, " I had an umbrella stolen from the vestibule of the church. It was a gift, and valuing it very highly, I spent double the worth in advertising, but I have not recovered it." " How did you word the advertisement 2" asked a merchant

" Hero-il.. is," said the man, producing a slip cut from a newspaper. The merchant took it and read : " Lost, from the vestibule of the Church, last Sunday evening, a black umbrella. The gentleman who took it will be handsomely rewarded by leaving it at No. —San Fernando street."

" Now," said the merchant, " I am a liberal advertiser, and have always found it paid me well. A great deal depends upon the manner in which an advertisement is put. Let us try for your umbrella again, and if you do not then acknowledge that advertising pays 1 will purchase you a new one."

The merchant then took a slip of paper from his pocket and wrote :

" If the man who was seen to take an umbrella from the vestibule of the Chuich last Sunday docs not wish to get into trouble and have a stain cast upon his Christian character, which he values so highly, be will return it at once to No— San Fernando street. He is well-known."

This duly appeared in the naper and the following morning the man was astonished when he opened tbe front door of his residence. On the porch lay at least a dozen umbrellas of all shades and sizes, that had been thrown in from the side walk, while the front yard was literally paved with umbrellas. Many of them had notes attached to them saying that they had been taken by mistake, and begging the loser to keep the little affair quiet.—Louisville Commercial.