TOO GOOD A JOKE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2014, 18 June 1875, Page 4

TOO GOOD A JOKE.

It rained hopelessly. The clpnds came down in sheets and sluices. Monsieur de H——, an elegant "of the first water," found this second water too wet for him. He was islanded under another man's portico, and not a public vehicle near. Suddenly round the corner comes a plain citizen, housed under a protecting canopy of hlue cotton and whalebone ; but, under this enviable umbrella, walking alone. A thought seizes Monsieur de H——. He rushes to the citizen's side, and seizing Mm affectionately by the *rm, commences the eager narration of a touching train of events. Not giving his astonished listener time to respond, he hurries him along, sharing his umbrella, of course, as he goes, and clinging closely to his side, and vociferating the confidential communications till they arrive at the boulevard. He stops at a cafe, and then, for the first time apparently, takes a surprised look at the face of his umbrella lender. Overwhelming apologies—had wholly mistaken the person—thought it was his most intimate friend—begs {ten thousand pardons—and dodges into the inside of a coffee-house. iJut the fun ■was to be in the telling of the story. To a convulsed circle, of delighted fellowdandies Monsieur De H was telling of his adventure, when, by chance, placing his hand upon his' heart, he missed the usual protuberance in his vest jiocket. The valuable gold watch was gone. In his close clinging to the apparently plain citizen the gay joker had hugged a pickpocket, and "•• consequence was" subsequently was not fond of his joke. '