The Paper Cap

"The Paper Cap" by Amelia E. Barr is a story with a certain amount of mystery favorable in so far as it permits the readers to exercise ingenuity in devising a probable reason for the selection of a paper cap as the symbol of labor. The recital also reveals England's social life and customs during the 19th century.

Excerpt:

"Now, if the working man was looking for a symbol, there are many reasons why the Paper Cap would appeal to him. It is square, straight, upright; it has no brim. It permits the wearer to have full sight for whatever he is doing. It adds five inches or more to his height. It is cool, light and clean, and it is made of a small square of brown paper, and costs nothing. Every man makes his own paper cap, generally while he smokes his first morning pipe. It was also capable of assuming all the expressions of more pretentious head coverings—worn straight over the brows, it imparted a steady, business-like appearance. Tilted to one side, it showed the wearer to be interested in his own appearance. If it was pushed backward he was worried or uncertain about his work. On the heads of large masterful men it had a very «hands off» look. Employers readily understood its language."