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Show VHY UMBRELLA WA8 RETURNED. Something of a Jok on the Late Henry Ward Beecher. Among the financial friends of the great preacher was ono old broker in New York an aggressive Unitarian, which sect he often said boro "the trade mark of honesty." One day he met Mr. Beecher hurrying toward Wall 8trcet ferry to avoid the downpour down-pour of a sudden rainstorm. "Take my umbrella," said the broker. "I don't need it; the coming bus takes me to my door." At the ferry Mr. Beecher mot a lady, a prominent church worker of a elster church, who, having no umbrella, was lamenting her Inability to reach her car safely. The urbane preacher forced the umbrella upon her as he said: "l will be out your way to-morrow and will call and get It." Two hours later as Mr. Beecher was sitting in the old arm chair in his study tho doorbell rang and when he responded to the call a boy hurriedly presented him with an umbrella, together to-gether with an unsealed note, which read: "Dear Mr. Beecher My husband. Mr. M.. demands that I return tho umbrella" you so kindly loaned me at once, and Join him in saying that under un-der the circumstances the pleasure of an anticipated call Is unregretted. Upon opening tho umbrella you will become more fully advised of oup united action." ) The great -expounder of truth and honesty was horrified when upon opening the umbrella he discovered a pasted slip upon which was written in a bold round hand: "Stolen by some Presbyterian thief!" |