The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-07-28
ATALE OF A COAT.
The Troubles of u Young Man who BOr.
rOWpd a Friends Prince Albert
"a True Tale.

A gay young man of the city attended
the band concert in Union square Satur-
day night, and instead of sitting on the
grass and taking in the sweet strains of
music, he put in his time making mash
on a giddy girl, who was just as sweet as
she was giddy. His success was great,
and he went around as if in trance with
most rapturous expression on his
usually calm countenance. The reason
of this was apparent on Sunday morning,
as he eagerly asked one of the boys for
the loan of his Prince Albert coat He
said he had horse and buggy engaged,
and with good coat he would show
them what he could do. The coat was
forthcoming on the promise that it was
70 be returned by four o'clock, and, true
to his word, and in the afternoon his
friends saw him sitting in a rapidly mov>
ing and elegant chaise to which was at
tached a blooded horse, while by his side
reposed most beautiful young lady,
dressed elegantly. Where they went made
no difference to the twain, for they sat
with their noses pointed towards one
another, and ''goneness" was depicted on
every feature. The horse went rapidly by,
and in his freedom wandered up to the
high school building, When opposite the
high school building. cloud appeared
which was to mar their pleasure. A
young man came sailing down Twenty
second street in frantic haste and halted
the occupants of the carriage. He
was elegantly dressed, save his coat,
which bore marks of hard usage. The
young n.an in the carriage alighted, when
a conversation ensued, during which the
gentlemen changed coats. One young
man went up the street looking as if his
soilet was more complete, and the other
returned to his coy place in the vehicle.
Somehow he looked more natural to the
lady who was wondering at such strange
proceedings and finally mustered up
enough gall" to ask the meaning He
told her that it was his chum who was
going to see his, girl, and was the posses
sor of an elegant suit minus coat which
had been stolen from the rack one day,
and it had happened that he had coat
which just matched the suit, and as there
was nothing mean or small about him, he
had offered to lend bis garment to the
other who was financially embarrassed at
present, and besides had holy horror of
going in company lily dressed. During
this time they had progressed down to
Second avenue, and a man in the
street made some exciting gestures to the
young man in the carriage, who, on near
ing the person in question, ahghted and
lifted the snug little bundle of humanity
from the carriage and explained to her
that the vehicle belonged TO a doctor who
had case out of town that was very
urgent and apologized to her for the
manner in which they would be obliged
to get home. But to complete the situa>
ton, dude came down the street, and
after engaging the young lady in CONVEX,
sation for while, walked off with her
hanging on his arm. She cast a freezing
glance behind at the broken hearted
young man and disappeared around the
corner. This morning sad eyed youth
entered hardware store and got the
biggest revolver in the store and he
swore big, big oath that the first being
on earth who looks even crosseyed at him
shall furnish food for the dogs