The Globe-republican., 1897-02-11
Four SIDE POCKETS TO THAT
COAT.

Four side POCKETS TO THAT
a. Old Man fisds Bono Cigarettes But
Loses ais Cigars.
An old man with . ford face sat in
restaurant the other day talking busi-
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 to feel for
the pocket of his overcoat. His hand
reached impatiently 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 wa on the other side of the coat.
next to the wall, and it took his strsying
hand some time to get into it. A look
of surprise flashed over the old gentle
mans face. He drew forth from the
pocket tox of cigarettes. He put
them down on the table and looked at
them contemptuousiy.
Cigarettes" he said. with a sniff.
cigarettes. Somebody has stolen my
cigar-case and left these things Ia my
pocket.
The old man began to get angry sn
his face grew redder.
Cigarettes, he snorted. "The scoun-
drel! Waiter. waiter," he called, his
voice rising in anger.
Yes, sir"
who put these things in my pocket
and stole my cigars?"
Il don't know, sir. I'll see about it,
SIR"
"YcS 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 shan't look in my pocket. DOM
you think know what's in my pockets
and what isn't? Didn't I just 60
through them? What does this house
mean,' cried the old man, standing up
and shaking his finger threateningly,
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 fierce glance as he took down the
coa:. The old man got up, his face
purple with rage.
What are You going to do with that
coat, sir p he asked crisply.
PUT it on" answered the other
calmly, han ding it to a waiter.
That is my coat, sir.
Il beg your pardon, it is my coat,
replied the stranger cody, slipping his
arms through the sleeves.
The old man was in o tremble.
"That is my coat" he shouted.
Take it off.
The strangers eye caught sight Of
tie box OF cigarettes lying on the table.
All, he said, Il see you have beer
trying the flavor of my cigarettes.
Won't you have another:" he added.
smiling.
Where are my cigars?" cried tb:
furious old gentleman.
I'm sure l don't know said the
stranger quietly. Perhaps they're ir
your pocket here. see our coats are
precisely alike. I 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"
mo. I thank you. I seldom drink"
Hang it, waiter!" cried the old gen
tieman, bring me my check. Are 70,
going to keep me here all day?"
Good day, sir, said the stranger.
Good day." growled the irascibl.
old gentleman.
A moment later the stranger re
turned.
Excuse me, SIR" he said mildly
may have one of my cigarettes?
Just then the old gentleman swor,
roundly -NeU York Tribune.