Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1870-11-03
Then Ned was in his glory. He

| IOI IScttluS All dDouI INC DoiiONCu
coat and his very close fit, he enter
ed into the dance with spirit. They
were in the midst of the Virginia
Reel. When Ned had just gone
through his part he felt a touch on
his shoulder, and looking quickly
round, the coats owner said, in an
undertone:
"Ill swear, Ned, if you fly about
in that manner, you'll finish my coat
tonight! Be a little more careful.
You are perfectly welcome to it, per-
fectly, only be a little careful. You
may want to borrow it again.
Ned felt then it would be a relief
to pull off the dreadful coat and cast
it in the fellows face. But he could
do nothing but bear it. Looking
up, he saw Eleanor's eyes dancing
merrIly, and fixed on him.
That miserable night came to an
end at last, and Ned reached his
boarding place. Quickly he drew
off the coat, and swore he never
would borrow again.
Next night the brother of the bride
gave the happy couple party. And
of course Ned's cuty was there. But
the coat question again arose. His
friend apologized, and offered it
again, saying:
"Don't be so foolish, Ned! You
are just as welcome as if it was your
own. only wanted you to be a lit
tie careful, as l would be myself"
But Ned would not accept it.
Then Tom Morrow came to the
relief.
Ned, my coat is not quite as
handsome, but l do not think the
difference will be noticed at night.
Do take it; and feel and act as if it
were your own. l do not care if
you do finish it tonight. 1 am only
too happy if it will suit you to ac-
cept it. Id think no more of wear
ing your coat than my own. If /
needed it.
So with this very cordial offer,
Ned at length donned the coat. But
his experience of the night before
made him very careful. He was very
particular in keeping out of the way
of the good things of the supper
table.
Standing by, tanning his lady-love
while she daintily touched her
cream, Ned's attention was attrected
by Tom, who stood near, and mo-
tioning him a little aside, he whis-
pered but loud enough to be heard |
by many near:
Don't be fool Nedl Use that
coat as if it be your own. l don't |
care if you should upset the whole
contents of the table on itr'
Checking down the wrath, and
the wrathy words, he wanted to
speak, Ned looked at Eleanor. Yes,
again she knew he was in borrowed
clothes. Her laughing eyes told
that.
Thinking to satisfy his friend, he
joined in the dance; and feeling that
his acting as if he was clothed in
his own would stop the comments
of Tom, Ned again forgot his dis
Soon, however, he was brought
back to the reality of his situation,
for Tom was near, whispering:
That's right, boy! Split the coat
if you choose. l don't care; you are
perfectly welcome to use it, abuse
it, and finish it, if you choose.
Determining never again to place
himself in such a situation, Tom
was glad when the hour for dispers-
ing came.
When about waiting on Eleanor to
The carriage, Ned found it raining
Quickly, obtaining an umbrella, he
vas holding it over her, thoroughly
protecting her from the rain, he
thought, when again that terrible
'ellOw sang out:
"Ned hold that umbrella over the
ady. Never mind the coat, if it
yets soaked. l don't care a fig"
Oh, that was the last stroke-the
Gather that broke the camers back.
As Eleanor stepped in the carriage,
Ned tore off the coat, threw it at, and
himself upon the owner; and before
my one could interfere, gave him a
pretty good prommelling and box
ng!
Hal ha! Well, I must admit
-our friend has good cause to be
lown ON borrowing. Well, how did
t end? A duel, or night in the
ockup?"
Oh, no; nothing of the kind.
Those fellows had been worrying
ne they admitted, a little beyond
endurance. And Tom got up and
acknowledged served him right.
you! Oh. now 1 understand
our feeling on the subject"
"And, you must know, that last
Gather and its effect won Charley
lis wife. l saw he had the right
pirit, / began to fear he was not
he man for me-" said Nellie.
Why, Mrs. Cameron. You ad-
nire fighting men. see!r'
Indeed 1 do, For / know the
nan that can take care of himself,
an take care of his wife, and his
riends too"
"Well after all, Charley" said his
riend, Il do not think you need be
% very hard on the borrowing sub
ect, for I'm sure, whether your ,,
riends were joking or in earnest, ,
hat borrowed coat secured you the
'est luck in the world-a good wife.
Sensible Admonition. {
Don't buy piano for your daugh-
ers while your sons need q plough.