The morning call., 1893-04-10
THE MISSING COAT.

THE MISSING COAT.
In the first place my name Is Frederick
Putnam. am, and have been for the last
ten years, the foreman and bookkeeper of
the large numbering establishment of VIII
liam Winston Sc Co.. and hope to be for
another decade. unless something better
turns up.
One cold evening, just as l was preparing
for home, l heard footsteps on the crunch
Ing snow outside, and presently the office
door few open, as though some one in
haste had given ii push. admitting n tall,
stout, well-dressed man with a small travel
ing-bAg in one hand and shawl thrown
over his arm.
was alone, Mr.. Winston having gone to
the house some half an hour before, locking
the safe, in which we kept our books and
papers, and taking the key with him as
usual. had already closed the damper to
the stove. put on my overcoat and was just
in tue act of turning down the lamp-but,
of course, | waited.
Good evening, sir" said the man, bus
Ting up to the stove and kicking the
damper open with his foot. Has Winston
gone TO the house?"
Unanswered that he had.
''Whew! l was afraid of it,"
He drew out his wateh-a very fine one.
thought.
81 shall not have time to go up." he said.
"The train is due in fifteen minutes"
ais there anything l can do?" l asked.
81 wanted to leave some money with
Winston. l intended to stop in town day
or two, but have just got dispatch that
calls me home"
"What name, sir?"
Anderson, of Andersouville."
L knew MIN then, though l had seen him
but once before. lie had been one of our
best West customers. l say had been, for
the reason that during the past year his
payments had not been so prompt. In fact.
he was considerably behind aud Winston
had that very day told me 10 write to him
and punch him up a little," as he ex-
pressed it. The letter was then in the
breast pocket OF my oVereOat.
''Y GU can leave the money with me, sir,
and l will give you a receipt"
He seemed to hesitate. which nettied me
somewhat lnever blamed anybody since,
however.
"HOw much is my binS' he asked, eying
me sharply.
1 answered promptly, for had struck
the balance not more than half an hour be-
fore.
Eleven thousand seven hundred and
fifty dollars and % cents"
"Humphl less than | supposed. Write
me out receipt for that amount"
BE left the stove and came and looked
at is all right, Mr.. Putnam. l know YOU
now. You've been with Winston a long
time. l can tell your signature anywhere"
He drew from an inside pocket a large
black wallet, very round and full and
counting out eleven different piles of bank
notes he told me to count them. II was a
short and easy task, for each pile contained
just 100 bills. The balance was in fiyes.
tens and twenties, and took more time TO
count them, but at last we got Ii so that
both were satisfied.
At this moment we heard the whistle from
the station. Anderson sprang for mis- trav-
sling nag, and giving me basty handshake
was off on the run. l closed the door and
counted the money again. Finding it all
right l wrapped a piece of newspaper
around it and slipped it into my oYercoat
pocket. l did not feel quite easy to have SO
much money about me, but as Winston's
house was at least mile distant concluded
to keep 1t until morning, when / could de-
posit Il in the bank.
l closed the damper again, drew on my
gloves, took tie office key from the nail lust
over the door and stepped up to put out the
light. As did SO ! saw bit OF paper on the
floor. which on picking up 1 saw was the
receipt l wrote Mr.. Anderson. He had
dropped it in his hurry. put It in my
pocket and thought no more about it. only
that would mail it to him. l would have
done il then. but as the last mail for that
day had gone out on the train which took
Mr.. Anderson, could do it just as well in
the morning. Then, too, / was in some
thing OF hurry that night, for had an
appointment; and l may as we'll state here
that it WIS young lady who hoped would
be my wife before many months.
Carrie was at home, OF course. as she was
expecting me. and, leaving my hat and coat
In the hall. l went Into the psrlor. l do
not think repetition OF our conversation
would be very interesting, so | will pass it
over, merely remarking that nothing &C.
CURED TO disturb me until rose to take my
leave.
Carrie went into the hall for my coat and
hat that ] might put them on by the warm
FIRE, but she came back with only my hat
why, Fred, you certainly did not VEN
ture out such a night as this without an
overeoat?"
No coatp' 1 exclaimed in a dazed sort OF
way, for the thought of the money flashed
upon me so suddenly that it almost stunned
me.
The next moment tore past her like a
mailman, as l was. The coat was gonel
Then | was unnerved. / grasped at the
stair rail and caught 1t just in time 10 sup
port myself. Carrie came running cut her
face pale with alarm.
''Oh. Fred, are you ill2 Let me call
mother and the doctor. You are as white
as sheet"
mo, no. Carrier entreated. 'There,
am better now"
And l was better. 1 was strong-all at
orcr-desperately strong And what brought
tulS CuduR6I nat simple receipt
which had in my pocket. Anderson had
nothing to show that the money had been
paid; and was not my unaided word as
good as his?
/ was foolish enough to believe that
could brave it through, and l grew conf
Gent and quite easy at once
r mere, Carrie, am much better now
1no room was too warm. l guess. So some
king thlef has lodged In and stolen my
coatF Wen, let II go. 1t was an old one.
ana now I'll have better one"
But was there nothing in the pockets ?"
1t is strange how suspicious guilt will
make us. L really thought Carrie Suspected
me, ana an angry reply was on the end of
my tongue. L suppressed ii, however. and
uttered falsehOod instead.
Nothing OF consequence Carrie-a gnod
lions" N'-
81 am glad it is not worse, Fred. Now. If
you viii wait just moment will get Won
one of fathers coats to wear home.
Thus equipped, left her. You may guess
that my slumbers that night were not very
sound, nor very refreshing. never passed
more miserable night. and in tile morning
my haggard looks were the subject of re-
mark.
"Why, Fred, you look as though YOU met
legion of ghosts last night" said Winston
"What is the matter?"
II had bad night Of it," 1 answered.
with sickly smile.
passed. and night coming on brought me no
relief. Can you not gusss what / was med
itating? Coward that | was, / had at last
rasoiVpd IN salf-dagtrncfinn