The Arkansaw traveler., 1889-04-20
Ertnen for The ArkonsaW TapeLsr.
 THE BRIDEGROOM COAT.
RT ALEx. \. sw EET.


 al never was in such a hideous fix in all my life" said Ransom Palmer, one of the rising young men of Austin. The young man was certainly in & bad fix. He was to be married at 6 quarter past twelve o'clock that day. At twelve o'clock precisely he was expected at the house of the fair bride. It 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 hour, the horses impatiently champing the bits. He was waiting for the tailor to bring his wedding ceat. He was other wise completely dressed for the occa- sion He even had his hair cured and his boots shined.
 "Put on your old coat" said Thompson Hyde, who was to officate a his best man.
 "Never," said Palmer ait Is shabby, 1t is out of fashion and the elbows shiny. People would think was reporter. tell you, Thompson, if Louisa were to me in that coat she would refuse to marry me. o, if could only lay my hands on that tailor for about ten minutesl" And the despairng bridegroom gritted his teeth.
 "It is quarter of twelve" remarked his best man. "The affair Is becoming really serious. When did that cursed tailor say he would have the coat here2"
 "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 me. 1 wonder If some rival is not trying to prevent the marriage2"
 Suppose you send for the coat"
 "It 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 window opposite, were watching him. He was also aware that Mrs Randolph Paterson, 6 fat women, who lived one house further on, was Aattening her nose against the pane of glass. She was & picket guard to inform the rest of the household of the appearance of the bridegroom. There was also group of small boys, living in the neighborhood, gathered around the door, waiting impatiently to the bridegroom enter his carriage
 at is very stupid of you to put of everything until the last minute" said Hyde impatiently at just serves you right"
 "I know 1t does," replied the despairing man, "but 1t is too late to argue that question now. A coatl coatl My kingdom for coatp
 T would have had my toggery ready for a 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 look upon his friend very much like that which cannibal casts upon his victim.
 "Thompson, my boy, you are just about my size and build"
 "Just about" was the response.
 Seizing his friend by the arm, the would-b hus- band exclaimed: "Lend me your coatl"
 "Dont talk foolishness" responded Hyde, recoil- ing step at the very idea. "Prove that you are really a friend and lend me you not dressed in the night of fashion, or that your elbows shine" 70, yes they will," said Hyde with a sickly smile "but if you are in a swapping humor l will swap places with you and be the bridegroom, eha" "Don't joke about serious things" said Palmer, almost with tears in his eyes; "H you have got any real friendship 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