The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-09-16
A Tell-Tale Overcoat.

Ten-Tale Ovcrcoat.
A few evenings since party of friends
met at a social gathering at fashionable
restaurant. Some were bachelors, and
some were in the enjoyment of Heavens
best gift to man, The evening was
cold and chilly, and most of them wore
overcoats. Two of them were nearly
alike, and were owned respectively by
Charley G. and Charley S --, one OF
them married and the other single, and
wild, rakish sort of fellow, who, ms
fast as he was out of one scrape was in
another. His pockets were always full
of rose-colored missives and delicate
love tokens. His heart was desolate out
of the sunny glances of woman-kind,
yet his adventurous head never permit
ted the matrimonial moose to curl around
it. His friend Charley G. is sober
married man, oherishing bright-eyed
but jealous-heartedl little wife, who loves
him tenderly. He found it difficult to
obtain permission to attend the supper
at all.
It was given at last, with the under
standing that he would come home
early. He didn't, however. but sat late,
80 very late, indeed, that he slept sound
ly the next morning until after the
sun was far advanced toward the zenith.
He had met with o misfortune, too,
having stumbled on his way home and
rolled over in the muddy street. His
wife, however, set about repairing this
mishap the next morning, by cleansing
the muddy overcoat. While engaged in
this occupation her hand, by the merest
chance in the world, strayed into one of
the side pockets of his coat, and en-
countering a neatly folded billet-doux
surperscribed simply to Charley. read:
''Do not go to that horrid supper,
love, but come to me Instead. I am so
lonely. Your devoted KATE"
Oh, myl but the little blue eyes fash
ed-the color came and went upon cheek
and forehead-when she read the lines.
There was q moments pause, as if to
still the intensity of passion, and then
MIR. G. was rudely shaken from his
rest. whats the meaning of this,
sir?" and the little white hands trem-
bled with passion as the offending paper
was held up before the culprit. 81
"Who brought it, sir? Ifound it in
your coat-pocket. Mr.. c., want
an explanation; will have one; I want
O divorce, tool" Mr.. G. was fully
aroused by this time. He protested to
know nothing of the note; he did not
know how the treacherous littlo thing
came in his pocket. He appealed to his
wife's good sense. She would hear of
no denial, but instead, made another
dive into the coat-pocket. Another lit
tie missive rewarded her search. 1t was
brimfull Of the tenderest endearments,
and dated only two days back, but was
in another handwriting, very beautiful,
and signed "Jennie." "Oh, you Turk
just look at that!'' and whilo Charley's
bewildered eyes were perusing the letter,
another visit was made to the receptacle
OF love-another letter came out. 1t
was equally delicate, but full of upbraid-
ing. 1t called Charley cruel, false, de-
celttul; said that "Fannio's broken heart
would be laid at his door; said his once
loved darling would die early"
The lips were white now with rage.
the blue eyes all aflame with fire. tho
little willow form drawn up to it's fullest
height. Charley never saw her looking
80 indignant.
"You rake-monster! Why, Brigham
Young would be ashamed to do as you
have donel'
Another dive was made to the pocket,
and letter after letter brought out, until
dozen strewed the foor-all of them
from different ladies', all evincing the
tenderest love for Charley. Unable to
copo with the storm of Indignation, he
made hasty exit from the room, and,
leaving the house, left his wife to medi-
tate upon divorce or suicide at leisure
a fcw moments after, however, the SER
want of Charley s. appeared with
MIR. G-'s overcoat, and respectfully
solicited tho return of his masters.