Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1882-11-23
.sPhober' l cried, running down to

"PhpbeI L cried, running down 70
the dining-room where she was busy
preparing tea-"Ph@bel where's the
coat / wore yesterday
"That old onep'
"Old or new, where is itY | de.
manded.
I'm afraid | seemed to speak harsh
ly, but / was only excited.
Phoebe looked scared. / had never
addressed her 80 before.
Forgive me, George" she faltered
Forgive you for whatp"
"l-I-there was a peddler come
along to-day, and exchanged your
old coat-yOu know it wasn't fit to wear
any longer dear,-fOr pair of the lovli.
est little flower vases-Ive been wait.
ing for you to notice them, but-but--'
My looks must have terrified her, fol-
she burst into tears, sobbing out;
81 didn't think you would miss it.
George"
Poor Phoebe, it was the first time
had made her cry; and after all had
only my own selfish folly to blame
Why hadn't told her about the money
Taking her to my arms and kissing
away her tears:
'Never mind, darling" said; ''don't
cry about the coat; but do you know
which way the peddler wentr'
My kind words treasured her. The
smile came back to her face, but the
question about the peddler puzzled her.
81 didn't notice which way he went, "
she answered; "but since you don't
mind about the coat, what difference
does it make, dearp"
l didn't care to explain the mighty
difference it made; for | saw it would
break Phpbe's heart to know the truth,
and could do no good.
After, tea l went out on some pretext,
and made such inquiries as L could
with prudence; but though l found
some who had seen the peddler, none
could give me any clew to him or with
er he had gone.
Phoebe was delighted with her vases;
and of course. / had to admire them,
teo-though 1 confess it would have
afforded me greater satisfaction to have
smashed them over the COMPOUNDED ped
dler's head.
spent sleepless night; though |
managed to keep Phoebe from observing
my distress. 1t would be time enough
to vex her with the truth when there
would be no other course left.
Making an excuse for another early
start, got TO town by the first morning
train.
L notified the police, and spoke of
advertising; but that would never do.
the superintendent said. AS the mon
ey was in a hidden pocket, the only
hope lay in finding the coat before the
presence of the notes was discovered.
| Whatever search was made must be
prosecuted secretly. Giving the best
description of the peddler had been
able to obtain, / went to my Office with
a heavy heart. What should / do when
Jonas Swirl came for his money! He
would never believe my story, and
heaven only knew what harsh measures
he might choose to take.
"Want any pens, sir ?" inquired some
one entering the door to which my back
was turned.
mo" l answered gruffiy, without
looking up.
"Some inkp-some blotting-paperp-
some soap p some matches ?-some-"
Not caring to hear the inventory fin.
ished, turned to request the man to
leave. Butt didn't. He had on my
own old coat, more attractive to my
eyes. just then. than the richest royal
robel
"How would you like TO sell that
coat you have on?" l asked as nncon.
cerDedly as possible.
The man smiled as one might at
what he thought very poor joke.
"Or maybe you'd exchange it for the
one wear ?" / added quickly.
you're hardly in earnest. sir"
Indeed l am" L said; 81 fancy the
cut of yours, and here's mine. come
even up and no higglingp
The coat which drew off and thrust
into his hands was quite new, and
worth many times that for which of
fered to exchange it. l was evidently
taken for a lunatic, but that didn't balk
! VIC pouuici BicC" lOi a. koOu ual gam
The barter was completed and the man
hurried off, probably fearing the return
of a lucid interval in which 1 might
seek to cancel the trade.
But / followed at his heels, keeping
him in sight till l had searched the
secret pocket where found the money
all safe!
And found it just in time, too, fol
before many minutes Jonas Swirl came
as he had promised. Our settlement
was soon completed, and each had his
own share to do what be would with.
Phoebe was surprised to see me in
my old coat; but when told her all
and saw how white and scared shs
looked, was glad / had waited Til
there was only good news to tell her.