The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-02-17

stenographer Doctored 1t.
Young Mr.. Dressgoodes, who holds
responsible position with tig dry
goods house, had his wages reduced
recently because of the financial de-
preston, his employers said, and he
was obliged to change some of his
plans in consequence. He had fully
intended to get 500 overcoat, cut
long IN the prevailing style, but he
decided that he could not afford it,
and he cast about for something
cheaper.
One of his friends told him of
place where the best ready made coats
could be brought. Mr.. Dressgoodes
went over 10 look at them. He found
one that fitted him perfectly and
looked fully as good as the 500 coat
he had set his heart on. 1t cost Just
half of 500, and, after many trials and
many parades before the looking glass,
Mr.. Dressgodes decided to buy it.
In due time the coat was sent to
Mr.. Dressgodes' boarding place. On
Sunday morning he went forth arrayed
in all its navy blue splendor. He
started out all right, but after he had
gone block or two he was conscious
that something was wrong with the
coat. 1t switched around his legs and
tangled his feet up. One side of it
seemed to bind badly, and the tails,
instead of hanging decorously behind,
walloped around in trying and scam
dalous manner. Mr.. Dressgoodes was
obliged to unbutton it before he could
continue his walk to church.
When he got back he examined the
coat carefully, but he could find moth
ing wrong with it. Next morning he
took it down to the store with blood in
his eye Here, he said to the pro.
prietor, there's something the matter
with this coat.
What is lt1 inquired the proprietor,
suavely.
Why, it binds me around the legs
when I'm walking, and makes it diff
cult, as we'll as very ungracelul, for me
to get along.
Hum! said the proprietor. | can't
imagine what is the matter. Let me
see it. Leave it here, he said, and we
will send it up this afternoon.
The coat came back, and Dress
goodies made another effort to wear it.
1t tripped him up in the hallway and
almost sent him down the front stairs
headlong. Mr.. Dressgoodes tore it off
and stamped OF it.
Why, Mr.. Dressgoodes said the
pretty stenographer from the country,
who has room on the same floor,
what on earth is the matter?
Mr.. Dressgoodes mumb!ed few
inarticulate words, and then remem-
bered where he was, and told the
young woman how the beastly garment
acted.
Why don't you take it down to the
store? she asked.
I've been there twice with it, said
MIR. Dressgoodes, and now I'm going
to take it down there again and
demand my money back.
The pretty stenographer from the
country inquired into all the vagaries
of the coat. Then she asked MIR.
Dressgoods to let her see it. Let me
take your penknlfe, she said.
You're not going to cut it, I hope,
said Mr.. Dressgoodes, feaifully.
Let me take your knife, demanded
the pretty stenographer from the coun-
try.
Mr.. Dressgoodes took it, and she
made quick jab at the tail of the
coat. Now try it, she said, handing
| it back.
DR.. Dressgoodes put the coat on
and walked a few steps. 1t hung
gracefully from his shoulders, and the
tails did not bind or flap particle.
What on earth did you dor he
asked, amazedly.
Why, she said, simply, these tails
were held together by bit of thread
to keep it in shape when it wss packed,
1 suppose. | cut that thread.
Well, I'll be-blowed said Mr..
Dressgoodes and those chumps down
at the store didn't know that.
The pretty stenographer from the
country blushed and said nothing.
Now, the proper conclusion OF this
story would be the marriage of the
pretty stenographer from the country
and Mr.. Oressgoodes. But nothing OF
the kind happened. Mr.. Dressgoodes
bought her a bunch of yellow chrysan.
themums and let it 60 at that, and she
was perfectly satisfied.
What sort of a walk have you from