The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-10
us stood nm and filled the doorway Of the

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sitting room.
port that he can't hit the keynote
Wicked major!" said one.
"But, when the door opened. and We saw
him, in the glare Of the hall light, the RS
ing Joke died away on our lips.
He arrived in his dress suit, without the
"Good gracious, Mnjorl Whyl what is
the meaning OF this? Where is the great
coat?"
He came in, looking very white and de;
pressed, the curl over his forehead out oil
twist, his collars limp, his shoulders stoop-
ing. He walked more lamely than usual.
We made him come into the warm room.
His hands were like ice. We forced him
to take some spirit and water. We trted
to rouse him. II was in vain. He.looked
utterly crushed.
"What is the matter, sir? What has
hnppened?" After while we learned
what had occurred. The evening had
passed very pleasantly; never more so.
When he left the drawing room, he de-
sCenled To the hall and asked for hisgreat-
coat. 1t was lost. 1t was nowhere hang
ing up. 1t had not fallen behind bench.
1t was not lying across u chair. Then the
porter said lie was very much afraid that
some rascal, taking advantage OF the door
being open upon the arrival OF guest,
had slipped into the hall unobscrved, and
had walked of with the newest and best
of the greatcoats. Thus was the disap-
pearanCe accounted for. 1t could be ac-
counted for on no other hypothesis.
"Shall We lend you one Of Sir Archi-
bald's to 90 home in?" said the servant.
mo, thank you" So the Major walked
home in his dress suit, without his new
greatcoat. That was lOst-lost for ever.
There was but the smallest prospect Of its
being recovered. The poor old man was
utterly cast down. Without the greatCOat
he could no longer walk abroad respecta-
bly,. He sat in the Armchair, with his
head down and his hands shaking. We
did our best to encourage him; but what
could We promise? He could not possibly
raise the money for new greatcoat. Be-
sides, this one, now lost, was unpaid for.
He would not take more than little drop
OF brandy and water. He could not look
before him. The future was not TO be
faced without Il greatcoat. Presently he
stood up and lit his candle; he would 20
10 bed. lie was tired perhaps tomorrow
he would be better.
We squeezed his hand and sat speech
less, listening to his foot us he went up
stairs. lie dragged his lame leg YEARLY
after him.
Poor old chap said l; She seems com-
pletely done for
Next morning we were all assembled at
breaSiast-thUt is, all but the Major
when rap came at the front door and q
ring at the bell. JemiGa answered. A
moment after she cane in with the great
coat over her arm. Sir Archibald's valet
had brought it. He had seen it with the
other, in the hall, had believed it TO be-
long to agcntleman staying in the house,
and, to avoid confusion, had removed it
to the library. The mistake had only
been found out when the guests were
gone, and the servant mud come over with
The greatcoat the first filing thing in the
ran upstairs, to rouse tho Major with
the joyful news. l knocked ut his door,
but received 10 answer. Opened it and
looked in. saw the Oldham on his knees
by his bedside. He was saying his
prayers. would not disturb him, so
drew back. lie was long time over
these same prayers. | looked in again.
He had not stirred. Then, with start,
SAW that the bed had not been slept in,
and the Major was in his dress suit.
went up to him and touched him.
He was dead.
The loss OF the greatcoat had been the
last disappointment he could bear. The
brave old heart had given up the battle,
and had stopped beating.
When, afterwards, the grcatcoat pockets
were searched, there were found in them
two letters. One was the bill for the coat
the other bore an American stamp. 1t
wasfrom his hrother-apenitcnt letter; he
was now doing we'll, and he enclosed to
Mnjor Cornelius draft for hundred
pounds. The letter had not been opened.
Tile COrHhW.