Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-05-29
FOUR SIDE POCKETS TO THAT
COAT.
An Old Man Finds some Cigarettes But
Loses Ills Cigars.

an Oiu MAN flnus some CiSarottcS D"'
Loses Ills Cigars.
An old man with norid face sat in
q restaurant tho other day talking bust
ness with another diner across the
table. His coat was hanging on the
wall beside him, and he was so earnestly
engaged in conversation that when the
meal was ended and he was ready to
smoke he reached mp his hand without
looking around and began d feel for
the pocket Of his oyercoat. His hand
reached impaiiently all over the gar
ment, found the pocket, went down into
it and came forth empty. Then tho old
man searched for the other pocket.
This wa on the other side Of the coat,
next to the wall, and it took his straylng
hand some time to get into it. y look
of surprise flashed over the old gentle
mans face. He drew forth from the
pocket box of cigarettes. He put
them down on the table aud looked 81
them contemptuously.
cigarettes" he said, with q snif.
Cigarette. Somebody has stolen my
cigar-case and left these things in my
pocket.
The old man began to &c. angry and
lis face grew redder.
cigarettes, he snorted. The sconn-
drell Waiter, waiter he called, his
voice rising in anger.
Yes, sir.
"Who lut these things in my pocket
and stole my cigars?'
81 don't know, sir, I'll see about It,
sir"
"You should know, you do know"
LET me look in yonr pockets, sir
you may be mistaken"
Don't contradict me. l tell you
they're stolen, and some one has put
these l. things in my pocket.
Let me look in your pocket again,
sir. They may be there. =.
"You shan't look in my pocket. Don't
You think know what's in my pockets
and what isn't? Didn't l just 50
through them? What does this house
mean," cried the old man, standing up
and shaking his finger threateuingly,
"by allowing a guest to be treated IN
this fashion? I'll have you reported
sir. I'll have you discharged. lie
pnshed the box of cigarettes angruy
across The table.
Bring mo some cigar'," he snapped.
As the old gentleman was lighting M,
cigar another man came up and reached
for tie coat which was hanging on the
reg beside the indignant guest. ne
got fierce glance as he took down the
coat. The old man got mp, his lace
purple with rage.
what are you going to do with that
coat, sir?" he asked crisply.
"Put it on" answered tho other
calmly, handing it to q waiter.
That is my coat, sir. - ,
Il beg your pardon, it is my coat,
replied the stranger cody, slipping his
arms through the sleeveA
The old man was in tremble.
"That is my coat" he shouted
take it off.
The strangers eye caught sight OF
tie box OF cigarettes lying on the table
"Ah," he said, Il see You have been
trying the flavor Of my cigarettes
Won't You have another?' he added
smiling. -,
where are my cigars?' cried the
furious old gentleman. -, -,
I'm sure don't know, sad TIC
stranger quietly. "Perha?- they're III
your rocket here. see our coats arc
precisely alike. I noticed that when
hung mine beside yours.
The old man looked at his coat IN
disturbed on its peg.
Have q cigar?' he said family. ,
"No. / thank you, Iprefer cigarettes
"Haye a d.ink?"
"No, thank you, l seldom drink
Hang it, waiterl" cried the old gen
tleman, "bripg me my check. Are ! on
roiug to keep me here all day?
"Good day, sir" said the stranger.
"Good day." growled the lrascIoie
old gentleman.
A moment later the stranger 10
turned. ~
Excuse me, sir" no said miId'x,
may | have one of my cigarette
Just then the old gentleman sWore
roundly --Neo York Tribune.