Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1891-05-21
FOUR SIDE POCKETS TO THAT
GOAT.
An Old Man Finds some Cigarettes But
Loses ais Cigars.

GOAT.
An Old Man Finds some Cigarettes But
Loses His Cigars.
An old man with ford face sat in
d restaurant the 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 up his hand without
looking around and began to feel for
the pocket Of his overcoat. His hand
reached impaiiently all over the gar
ment, found the pocket, went down into
it and came forth empty. Then the old
man searched for the other pocket.
This was on the other side of the coat,
next to the wall, and it took his straying
hand some time to get into it, A look
Of surprise flashed over the old gentle
mans face. He drew forth from the
pocket q box of cigarettes. He put
them down on the table and looked at
them contemptuously.
Cigarettes, he said, with a sniff.
Cigarettes. Somebody has stolen my
sigar-ca and left these things in my
pocket"
The old man began to get angry and
his face grew redder.
Cigarettes, he snorted. "The scoun-
lrel Waiter, WAITER he called, his
voice rising in anger.
Yes, sir"
Who put these things in my pocket
and stole my cigars?"
don't know, sir, I'll see about it,
,ir"
"You should know, you do know"
Let me look in your pockets, sir;
You may be mistaken"
Don't contradict me. / tell you
they're stolen, and some one has put
these d things in my pocket"
Let me look in your pocket again,
sir. They may be there"
You shant look in my pocket Don't
you think know what's in my pockets
and what isn't? Didn't 1 Just go
through them? What does this house
mean," cried the old man, standing up
and shaking his finger threateningly,
by allowing guest to be treated in
this fashion? I'll have you reported,
sir. I'll have You discharged" He
pushed the box of cigarettes angrily
across the table,
Bring me some cigars" he snapped.
AS the old gentleman was lighting his
cigar another man came up and reached
for the coat which was hanging on the
peg beside the indignant guest. He
got a fierce glance as he took down the
coat. The old man got up, his face
purple with rage.
What are you going to do with that
coat, sir? he asked crisply.
PUT it on" answered the other
calmly, handing it to waiter.
THAT is my coat, sir.
y beg your pardon, it is my coat"
replied the stranger cody, slipping his
arms through the sleeves.
The old man was in tremble
THAT is my coat" he shouted.
stake it off,"
The strangers eye caught sight of
the box of cigarettes lying on the table.
All" he said, II 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 l don't know" said the
stranger quietly. Perhaps they're in
your pocket here. 1 see our coats are
precisely alike noticed that when
hung mine beside yours"
The old man looked at his coat I'M
disturbed on its peg.
!" Have cigar?" he said family.
No, thank you. Iprefer cigarettes"
Have drink ?"
NO, thank you, / seldom drink"
Hang it, waiterl" cried the old gem
sleman, bring me my check. Are GU
going to keep me here all day?"
Good day, sir, said the stranger.
Good day." growled the irascible
I'D gentleman.
A moment later the stranger re-
turned
Excuse me, SIR" he said mildly.
may have one of my cigarettes 2"
lust then the old gentleman swore