The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1893-09-29
THE MISSING COAT.

have been the last 10 years foreman and
bookkeeper Of the numbering establish
ment of William Winston & Co. Mr..
Winston is theresident partner and man
ager Of the business. The other mem
bers Of the firm live in the city and at
tend to the sales Of lumber which we
send to them by vessel.
One cold evening as / was preparing
for home l heard footsteps outside, and
presently a tall, stout, well dressed man
with small travelling bag in one hand
and a shawl over his arm entered the
office. / was alone. / had syready put
on my overcoat and was turning down
the light.
"Good evening"" said the man, walk
ing up to the stove and kicking the damp
er open with his foot. "Has Winston
gone to the house"
answered that he had.
"Whewl I was afraid of it." He
drew out his watch. 81 shall not have
time to go up" he said. "The train is
due in 10 minutes"
SIS there anything can DOR asked
II wanted to leave some money with
Winston. / intended to stop in town a
day or two, but / have just got dis
patch that calls me home"
"What name, siri'
Anderson of Andersonville.
/ knew him then, though / had seen
him but once before. He had been one
Of our best western customers. say
had been for the reason that during the
last year his payments had not been SO
prompt. In fact, he was considerably
behind, and Mr.. Winston had that very
day told me to write to him and ''punch
him up little,' as he expressed it. The
letter was then in the breast pocket of
my overcoat.
"You can leave the money with me,
sir; / will giveyo a receipt" said. He
seemed to hesitate, which nettled me.
never blamed anybody since however.
How much is my bill?' he asked, ey-
ing me sharply.
Eleven thousand seven hundred and
fifty dollars and twenty-three cents"
answered promptly, for / had struck the
balance not more than half an hour be-
fore.
"Humphl Less than supposed. Write
me out q receipt for that amount"
He left the stove and came and looked
over my shoulder while / wrote.
"It is all right, Mr.. Putnam. know
you now. You've been with Winston a
long time. / can tell your signature any
where"
He drew from an inside pocket wal
Let and counting out II piles Of bank
notes he told me to count them. It was
short and easy task, for each pile con-
tanned just 100 bills. The balance was
in fives and twenties.
At this moment we heard the whistle
from the station. Anderson sprang for
his travelling bag, and giving me q hasty
handshake was off. closed the door
and counted the money again. Finding
it right, wrapped piece of newspaper
around it and slipped 1t into my overcoat
pocket. I did not feel easy to have SO
much money about me, but as Mr.. Win
ston's house was at least mile distant
I concluded to keep it until morning,
when could deposit it in the bank.
drew on my gloves, took the Office
key from the nail over the door and
walked over to extinguish the light. AS
did SO saw on the floor the receipt
wrote for Mr.. Anderson. Hehad dropped
it in his hurry. | put it in my pocket
and thought no more about it, only that
would mail it to him. / would have
done it then, but as the last mail for that
day had gone on the train which took
Mr.. Anderson could do it just as well
in the morning. Then, too, was in
something of hurry that night, for
had an appointment with young wom-
an whom / hoped would be my wife be-
fore many months.
I hastened to my boarding house, ate
my supper, and then went over to the
home of my intended bride. wearing the
coat with the money in it, as | did not
feel easy about leaving it in my room.
Carrie was at home, and leaving my coat
and hat in the hall, went into the par
lor. At 10 o'clock when prepared to
leave, Carrie went into the hall for my
coat and hat that / might put them on
by the fire, but she came back with only
ny hat.
.sWhy, Fred" she exclaimed, "you
certainly did not venture out such a
night as this without an overcoatT
mo coatr' cried in dazed way, for
the thought of the money flashed upon
me so suddenly that it almost stunned
me. The next moment tore past her
Hike madman, as / was. The coat was
gone! Then Twas unnerved. grasped
at the stair rail and caught it just in
time to support myself. Carrie came
running out, her face pale with alarm.
"Oh, Fred. are You i'll? Let me call
mother and the doctori You are as
I white as a sheet
mo, no. Carriel" entreated. There,
am better now"
And was better. was strong all at
once-desperately strong. And what
brought about this change? That simple
receipt which had in my pocket. An
derson had nothing to show that the
money had been paid, and was not my
nnsided word as good as his7 l was
foolish enough to believe that l could
brave il through, and I grew confident
and quite easy at once.
"There. Carrie, I said quietly, Il am
much better now. The room was toe
warm ] guess. So some sneaking thief
has lodged in and stolenmy coat7 Well,
let it so. H.was an. old one, and noB
. Ts11 1.er,a a 1,.kka. 80