Saved His New Hat
The famous sculptor, Schadow, and Minister von Schuckmann were both frequent visitors at a Berlin club. The former always went home early, while the minister was generally the last to leave, and had his carriage call for him.
One evening the minister was the very last one again, and found in the dressing-room only one hat. Now his own hat was old and worn and this one was brand new. There was nothing to do—as he did not wish to drive home bare-headed—but to wear the strange hat. Although the rain was pouring down hard, it would not hurt the hat in the carriage.
Early the next morning, while the minister was still in bed, his footman brought him his old hat and a note. It was from Schadow, saying: “I bought a new hat yesterday morning. When I was leaving the club last night it rained hard, and as I did not wish to spoil my new hat, I took yours, knowing that your Excellency would drive mine home unharmed.”