Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1889-06-13
THE BRIDEGROOM'S COAT.

81 never was in such a hideous fix
I'm all my life, said Ransom Palmer
one Of the rising young men of Aus
tin. The young man was certainly in
a bad fix. He was to be married at a
quarter past twelve o'clock that day
A twelve o'clock precisely he was eX-
pected at the house of the fair bride.
Ii 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 tor an hour, the
horses impatently champing their bits
He was waiting for the tailor to bring
his wedding coat. He was otherwise
completely dressed for the occasion.
He even had his hair curled and his
boots shined.
put on your old coat, said Thomp-
son HYDE, who was to oiliciate as his
best man.
Never said Palmer; cit is shabby,
ID is out of fashion and the elbows are
shiny. People would think | was
reporter | tell you, Thompson, if
Louisa were to see me in that coat she
would refuse to marry me. O, if |
could only lay my hands on that tail
or for about ten minutes!' And the
despairing bridegroom gritted his
teeth,
ut 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 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 on me. | wonder if some rival
is not trying to prevent the marriage
suppose you send for the coat. y
at is too late" exclaimed Palmer,
with a gesture of hopeIessness; and he
stuck his head out of the window and
looked up and down The street in
treuzied manner. Notwithstanding the
fact that three old maids, concealed
behind the curtain of a window oppo-
site, were Watching him. He was also
aware that Mrs. Randolph Paterson
q fat woman, who lived one house
further on, was hattCning her nose
against the pane of glass Size was
picket guard to inform the rest of the
household of the appearance of the
bridegroom, There was also a group
OF small boys, living in the neighbour
hood, gathered around the door, wait
ing impatiently to see the bridegroom
enter his carriage.
'lt is very stupid of you to put of
everything until the last minute said
hyde, impatiently; lit just serves you
rightly
"I know it does" replied the de-
s.urIng man, but ii is too late to ar
-e that question now. A coat! A
e". My kingdom for coat!'
~ 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 10 have struck Ran
SOM Palmer He cast a look upon his
i.end very much like that which a
Gambia, casts upon his victim.
thompson, my boy, YOU are just
about my size aud build.n
Just about, was the response.
SEEING his friend by the arm, the
"oa.d-5e-hu>band exclaimed: Lend
me your coat.'
DON'T talk foolishness, responded
hyde recoIlmg a step at the very idea.
IIoYe that you are really a friend
anQ lend me your swallow-tailed coat.
Nobody will notice that you are not
dressed in The hight of fashion, or that
your elbows shine
Oh, Yes they will" said HYDE,
WAN slckly smile, "but if YOU are in
swapping humor | will swap places
VIII You, and be the bridegroom. eh?"
Dont joke about serious things
7N' fa.mer, almost with tears in his
eye. IF YOU have got any real friend
Tor me, don't leave me In this hor-
serape, never afterwards could
gt'e any confidence i'm YOU if YOU did.
ae Nrst boy shall DE named after you.
~..ir' now, that's a good fellow
lefe was 50 much misery depicted
~ ,.e face Of Palmer that bis friend
surrendered. Perhaps /. was the 9TH
E. -baueemeut that caused him to
tIe.d. a moment later the exchange
"a, made ana the carriage rolled or
% Tue shouts OF the delighted street
AegaWere the usual congratulations
al' ceremonies everything went off
smoothly. The brides mother shed
Tears Everybody seemed full OF hap