Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-11-18
TuR SNUFF CoLORED COAT.

=
s loved each other--were prosperous IN nie
and their days passed along brightly ana
evenly. apparently without cloud OF sad
ness or shade of care. =,
a With the pride of true woman, Mrs;
See admired her husband as the oeau 'dem
of all that is excellent; and justly thought
that, in aid of his natural attractions, propri-
etv and neatness of costume were impor-
tant. She delighted to see him not only
well, but becomingly dressed. To this end,
among the many contributing accessories,
she considered colorS as essential and, in
colors she knew no mcdium--some she
liked, and some she distilled, to excess.
Though desirous of pleasing her husband
in all things, yet, in this department, she
considered that she had a special right TO
exercise her taste exclusively, and that it
was emphatically her duty to see that he
appeared to the best advantage. Therefore,
she was ever good naturedly suggesting to
him what would, and what would not, be-
come him; and he, usually, with equal
good nature, agreed to her wishes
On one unlucky morning MIR. Sec saw at
his tailor's a snuff-colercd cloth which
pleased him. He directed a surtout coat to
be made from it; and, by singular inadvert-
ence, did 50 pitioM consulting his 'citc!
1t was made in elegant and fashionable
style. 1t suited him perlecty-he thought
it very handsomc-but, alas the color was
among those which Mrs. See deemed ugly,
and on his putting on the garment, she
lovingly, but dccidediy declared that it
uouid not unsWcr, and she would not con-
sent to his wearing it.
A little fond rising of opposition, even
in an allectionate spirit, is sometimes excu-
sable. Mr.. See felt that, on this occasion,
he might indulge in some resistance. He
liked the coat3ife had paid for it-hc
thought he had right TO wear it--that he
ought to wear it-he wished to wear it, and
he therefore said very gently, but very dis
hnctiy that he ,roaid wear it.
A sigh of disappointment followed-but
nothing more was said; love still reigned
triumphant, and unrufled happiness still
surrounded them. But it is i'll the nature
of the weaker vessel to yield point, where
the pride of her heart, her husbands good
appearance, is concerned! y determina-
ton, silently, almost unconsciously, was
IOTIeu, 10 CIcdl lne mouse Vi lHc OIICI!5lNC
article as soon as possible.
a few days thereafter, the coat was mis-
sing when, how, where, Or by what means
it had gone, was an untold mystery.
The usual surprise, chagrin, veyaton and
regret were expressed: search and inquiry
were unavailingly made. As, in most ca
ses of such kind, it was the household Won
der of few days-the affair past oyer--a
coat of another color, a color agreeable 10
Mrs. See, was substituted, the former one
was apparently forgotten, and the happy
Mr.. and Mrs. See loved and lived on in the
pleasant tenor of their way.
One summer afternoon, about two months
after the occurrence here mentioned, Mr..
See was sitting at his front window, looking
into the street, absorbed in train of pleas
ant thoughts of things, that were and had
been, in one of those tranquil reverics of
mind which, after a days toll, are gentle
and sweet, like cvcntide hour, when
well dressed man, who was passing by,
caught his attention. He looked and look
ed again, before seemingly realizing the
truth, for there, before his eyes, existed on
the back of that man, his orn lost sniff
cOlOred SurfoM cont.
In moment he rushed out of the house,
and, taking hold of the collar of the article
so singularly placed before him, demanded
from the man an explanation, chy he wo'e,
and how md uhere md ,cbeD he got tint
coat
Such sudden gripc and emphatic salu-
tation, however natural, were not calcula-
ted to awaken kind feelings, or friendly, or
favorable sentiments. The wearer was
surprised, shocked and embarrassed, and
answered at first evasively, and next angrily.
Finally, he finished by flat refusal to tell
anything about the matter.
The mind Of Mr. See was soon made up.
He had lost his coat myStcriously-it had
been stolen--no tidings Of it had been re-
ceiyed till now-t was found Oh the back
OF this man, and he refused to say how he
came by it! The case was clear--he was
the thiel-the crime was written in his
countenance-it was proof beyond all
doubt.
The accused was taken TO the police
office, where Mr. See made an affidavit of
the circumstances: commitment was pre-
pared, the magistrate was in the act of
signing it, when a person hastily entered
the office and handed Mr.. See a letter. He
read it, and surprise, pain and modification,
in rapid succession were expressed in his
countenance. With much confusion of
manner, he suddenly turned to the supposed
culprit, took him by the hand--begged his
pardon, and openly declared his inno-
cence.
This strange turn to the affair struck all
present with wonder and astonishment.-
A pause ensued. All Were silent; and the
eyes Of all expressed the idea that they
waited with intense interest for solution
of the mystery.
1t was given. The letter was from Mrs
See. Therein, with many expressions OF
alarm and regret, she stated that the unior-
tunate coat had not been stolen, for that she
herself, in order that the good appearance
OF her husband should not be marred by
the ugly colorsl garment, had gicen IL
dtcay.