Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 22, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1901 — ANOTHER CIGARETTE EVIL. [ARTICLE]

ANOTHER CIGARETTE EVIL.

Fiend Turned His Umbrella late a Burning Brand. t Crusaders against the cigarette added another string to their bow recently. A young man who walked lerenely down Grand avenue was the subject, says the Milwaukee Sentinel. His right arm was full of packages and la his left hand he carried an umbrella, which he was using as a cane, and a cigarette. If the folds of the umbrella had been wrapped about its stick, or if it had rained be- 1 lore his promenade the story of the yoiing man, the cigarette and the umbrella must have remained unwritten. But these are only ifs. While dodging cars and wagons at Third street he unwittingly dropped the cigarette into the folds of the umbrella. The umbrella, not having been used as a protection against rain, was dry and it immediately began to burn. Hundreds of passers-by turned to look after the young man as he proceeded. The girls giggled and men came out with hearty “hawhaws.” The object of their attention strode pompously on, unconscious or unmindful of the attention he was attracting. When he reached the Plankinton house he stopped to indulge in another cigarette and, not having a match, he stepped inside to get a light. The cigar lighter was out and he nnceremoniusly asked a dignified old man who was standing near by and smoking a long, black’ cigar, if he would give him a light. The old man said: “Why don’t you take one from your umbrella?” This was the first intimation the young man had and he made hurried efforts to extinguish the tiny flame. I As he left the lobby of the hotel a | porter heard him remark: “Well, that cigarette cost me two dollars, but what will Miss Smith say when I return her umbrella?’’