, 1882-06-23
The Boys, the Father and the Coat.

The Boys, the Father and the Coat
A good deal of amusement has
been caused in dry goods trade cir
cles during the past few days by the
leaking out Of a little story at the ex
pense of two young gentlemen who
are widely and favorably known in
the trade. The father of these young
men is a prominent Market Street
merchant, noted for his large wealth,
shrewd business ability and great
economy, particularly in the matter
of wearing apparel. The sons, who
are models of elegance in taste and
dress, have for long time borne a
particular antipathy to certain ven
erable coat which has clung to their
respected parent for many years,
and often tried by persuasion to in
duce him to sell it to the eragman and
buy new one, but the old gentle
mans invariable reply was: "You
boys spend money enough for clothes
for one family. Dis goat is good
enough for me-" At length, know
ing their fathers fondness for bar
gain, they thought of ruse by
which to induce him to lay off the
garment and get a new one. Taking
the coat which their father had
worn, they went to their tailor and
instructed him to take it as a pat
tern as to size and fit and make the
finest coat he could "We will" said
one,, "get father down here on some
pretense or other and then you must
sell him that coat No matter what
he offers, you take it, and we'll pay
you the balance" In due time the
sons received word that the coat was
ready-price $50. The next morning
at breakfast the eldest son casually
remarked: "Father, you will be go
ing near the tailors to-day, and I
wish you would stop and tell him to
be sure and send home my new coat
to-day, for I have party to attend
to night"
every well, my son, I will do 80,
but l don't see what you poys want
with so many goats"
The old gentleman delivered the
message, and the tailors opportunity
had come. lingering the venerable
garment, he remarked persuasively:
''You ought to have new coat 1t
is a shame for rich man like you to
wear such an old garment as that"
''Thank you very much, but this
goat is good enough for me-"
II have got something" persisted
the tailor, "that / believe will fit you,
and it is the greatest bargain that
you ever heard of. Imade it for &
customer, but it was a misft. The
price of that coat" said the tailor,
producing the garment, is $50, but it
won't fit the man | made it for, and
I'll let you have it for next to nothing,
Try it on"
The coat was tried on and proved a
perfect fit
you'll never get such a bargain if
you live a hundred years." said the
tailor. "You may have that coat for
$40.
'rll Gift you twenty-five" said the
old merchant, who knew cloth when
he saw it.
"Take it."
Carrying his old coat in a bundle,
the purchaser went out arrayed in the
$50 coat
At supper that night he appeared
in the familiar old coat and in excel
lent good humor. To his sons he
said: II made nice little ting to-
day. Ven l vas at the tailors L
bought a goat--a nice, fine goat
The price vas $50, but / got it for S25
L put it on and had not gone square
pefore 1 met friend. He noticed
my new goat and shpoke about it,
and 1 told him about how / got it so
sheap. He offered me $50 for the
goat and L took it-made SIS in fife
minutes"
YES" said the sons; dolefully, in
chorus, you've made $5 and we have
lost $55." Then they explained.
"My graciousl that is pad" said the
old man, when he comprehended the
situation; "but let dis be lesson to
you, my children. Never dry to de-
ceive your fader." ."--Philadelphia
Times.
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