Above all things, never lose your presence of mind, and never consider yourself unarmed even if confronted by an armed man, for almost anything can be made into a weapon if properly used. An umbrella is a fearful weapon if used with both hands like a bayonet. It will parry the blows of a big bully, and you can return him a stab in the face or breast or stomach that will settle him. A lady can defend herself from outrage with her parasol in the same way. If she struck a ruffian over the head with it, he would laugh at her, but I remember a certain girl who killed a ruffian who assaulted her by a stab with the point of her parasol.
— THOMAS HOYER MONSTERY