Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-07-17
The Bridegroom's Coat.

the rising young men of Austin. The
young man was certainly in a bad fix.
He was to be married, at a quarter
past twelve o'clock precisely he was
expected at the house of the fair bride.
1t was now half past eleven. The
carriage that was to convey him to
the house of the brides parents had
been standing at his door for an hour,
the horses impatiently champing the
bits. He was waiting for the tailor
to bring his wedding coat. He was
otherwise completely dressed for the
occasion. He had even his hair curl
ed and his boots shined.
"Put on your old coat said
Thompson Hyde, who was to officiate
as the best man.
"Never," said Palmer "it is shah
by, it is out of fashion and the elbows
are shiny. People would think |
was a reporter. l tell you, Thomp-
son, if Louisa were to see me in that
coat she would refuse to marry me.
Oh, if l could only lay my hands on
that tailor for about ten minutes p
And the despairing bridegroom grit
ted his teeth.
1T is a quarter of twelve" remark
ed his best man. "The affair is be-
coming really serious. When did
that cursed tailor say he would have
the coat here ?"
"He promised by all that was good
and holy to have that coat here at
half past ten o'clock, and now he has
gone back on me. | wonder if some
rival is not trying to prevent the mar
riage ?"
Suppose you send for the coat"
at is too late exclaimed Palmer,
with gesture of hopelessness and
he stuck his head out of the window
and looked up and down the street in
a frenzied manner Notwithstanding the
fact that three old maids, concealed
behind the curtain of a window oppo-
site, were watching him. He was al
so aware that Mrs. Rudolph Paterson,
fat woman, who lived one house fur
ther on, was hattening her nose against
the pane of glass. She was picket
guard to inform the rest of the house
hold Of the appearance of the bride
groom. There was also group Of
small boys, living in the neighbor-
hood, gathered around the door, wait
ing impatiently to sec the bridegroom
enter his carriage.
"It is very stupid of you to put off
everything until the last minute, !"
said Hyde impatiently. at just serves
you right"
II know it does" replied the discon-
solate man, "but it is too late to argue
that question now. A coat! A coat!
My kingdom for coat !"
~ would have had my toggery
ready for week." said Hyde, looking
down at his immaculate toilet. "A
man should never take such risks"
An idea seemed to have struck
Ransom Palmer. He cast a look up
on his friend very much like that
which a cannibal casts upon his victim.
Thompson, my boy, you are just
about my size and build"
"Just about" was the response.
Selling his friend by the arm, the
would be husband exclaimed: "Lend
me your coat J"
Don't talk foolishness." responded
Hyde, recoiling step at the very idea.
"Provc that you are really friend
and lend me your swallow-tailcd coat.
Nobody vii notice that you are not
dressed in the height of fashion, or
that your elbows shine"
80, yes they will" said Hyde with
sickly smile "but if you are in II
swapping humor | will swap places
with you and be the bridegroom, eh?"
Don't joke about serious things"
said Palmer, almost with tears in his
eyes "if you have got any real friend
ship for me, don't leave me in this
horrible scrape. | never afterwards
could have any confidence in you if
you did. The first boy shall be named
after you. Come, now, that's good fel-
low"
There was so much misery depicted
in the face of Palmer that his friend
surrendered. Perhaps it was the 9TH
er inducement that caused him to
yield. A moment later the exchange
and the carriage rolled off amid the
shouts of the delighted street Arabs.
Then there was the usual congrat-
ulations and ceremonies everything
went off smoothly. The brides moth
er shed tears. Everybody seemed full
of happiness except Thompson Hyde,
who was satisfied that the eyes of the
company were riveted OH his bad fit
ting coat and the shiny elbows. The
bridal couple took the train for Hous-
ton.
Young Mrs. Palmer managed to get
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