THE STORY OF A MEMBER’S HAT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1659, 12 November 1887, Page 2

THE STORY OF A MEMBER’S HAT.

The London correspondent,-, of the Irish News says:—A curious story regarding a hat is current in the lobby of the House of Commons. ' It appears that on Friday night an elderly member, who is said to be.of a- -jealous disposition, and moreover is possessed of a young and, of course, goodlooking wife, took from- the-cloak-room another member’s hat. On the following morning, after breakfast, he discovered the strung cube oh his hatstand, and on closer inspection found that the tile was garnished inside with initials, above which was a Strange crest. The green-eyed monster was instantly at work, especially as the wife had returned from the 'South of France during his absence ,at the House on the previous evening. His favorite chapeau, of course,-■ being missing, he immediately interrogated his wife as to who was her escort. The innocent dame was highly indignant, and hotly denied the impeachment. Seizing hi? Debrett, the bon. member traced the offending hat to its lawful owner, and, journeying to his solicitor, indited a v.ery strong epistle to the oldest son of a peer, who sits on the opposite ; ,side of the House, threatening him with nil sorts of pena'ties for the insult offered lo his honor. The young scion of nobility immediately grasped the situation, having himself had to travel home in a strange hat, and kept up the j ko by sending the enraged husbaud a solicitor’s letter, charging him in flagrante delicto with stea’iug the initialed hat from • the cloak-room of the House of Commons. On receipt of this epistle it immediately dawned on the elderly M.P. that he had made a mistake, and he forthwith tendered a personal apology. He has since been strenuously trying to effect a ‘‘pair ’’ for the rest of the session.