The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-09-12
APPEARANCES
ARE DECEITFUL
The Old Coat, the Tramp and the
Hundred Dollar Bill,

Il am afraid you will have to wear i;
or go without. my boy" said the soft
voiced mother.
Don't be too much OF dude, Harry.
Remember we are only poor folks, "chimed
in the paternal bass. from the sofa upon
which farmer Willis lay racked with rheu-
matism.
Now, Harry was not at all dude 70 the
ordinary sense Of the word. but he had
very neat inclinauons and habits for a
country boy that worked long and hard
at not over-clean chores.
II certainly seemed too bad that he
would have TO wear his fathers east-off
coat, OF antique fashion, which his mother
had just mended and cleaned as best she
could. His own, and only, coat had been
torn beyond redemption in a frolie with
some other boys and Harry well knew
that his parents were too poor to buy him
another. Had they not been scrimping
for months to raise the hundred dollars
due that day TO old William Myers, the
village capitalist? Farmer Willis had
gone without his ccfIee. his wife had de-
prived herself OF her beloved tea, and
Harry. his mind hungry for education and
his body for boyish sports. had followed
81 3hs Ar,n - sNss Far In ArsiA IN
save the hiring Of a man.
They had managed to save the desired
amount, and for two days Mr.. Willis, with
a hGndred-dollsr bill in his pocket had
been waiting for his afiliction to ease up
enough for him TO so and pay his cred
i;or, He had grown worse. however. and
so Harry would have to do it for him, on
that the last day.
But to pass through the village in that
coat; to be seen by the boys and girls. by
the great Mr.. Myers himself-the very
idea made Harry squirm. His mother had
shortened the sleeves. but IL was too
broad in the hack. too long in the waist.
and oh. how far down the back those two
terrible tails extended!
II had to be done, however, so after re-
ceiving instructions as to how to transact
the business. he tucked away the hun
dred dollar bill in his coat pocket, and
started out.
In a vacant lot. close to Mr.. Meyers
house, a crowd of Harry's friends were
just choosing sides for game OF ball.
1t was the boys first outing for a long
time. and naturally he felt very anxious
TO Join them. 1t would have been safer
for him to have delivered the money he
carried before doing anything else, But
the players were so anxious to start that
they insisted on his stopping. And he was
caught in such a hurly-hurly Of excite.
ment over the proposed sport, so seldom
enjoyed yet so dearly loved. that he re-
solved to put of his visit to Mr.. Myers for
an hour or so.
OF course his companions made all sorts
Of jokes over his outlandish coat and
although the air was quite cool, he was
glad that the game gave him an excuse
for taking it of and putting 1t behind a
stump out Of sight OF ridiculing eyes.
Then the boys forgot all about the coat,
ard began their game.
Just then a very strange-looking man
approached the players. He was dressed
in old and rusty corduroy. with leggings
and shoes much mudded. His face was
covered with a weeks beard, and an old
slouch hat was pressed close down TO his
eyes. On his back was a dingy canvas
knapsack. and he carried a staff, which
had evidently been freshly cut in the
woods.
This man, who appeared to be either a
tramp or a peddlar, sat down by the
stump back Of which Harry's coat mad
been thrown and seemed to watch the
boys game with a good deal Of interest
Indeed, he even volunteered to keep
score, and Harry who happened to stand
ing near by, told him the names Of the
players.
do you mind II sit on your coat?''
asked the man. This ground is pretty
damp"
Certainly not, go ahead" said Harry,
tnoughtlessly, but later. when he remem-
bered that the disreputable-looking taray-
eler was seated upon the hundred dollar
bill, he repented Of his carelessness.
When the game ended, the man rose to
60
Boys" said he, 1--WE enjoyed your
game more than any ! ever saw in my
life. And I have seen good many
Goodbye"
Harry then put on his coat and hastenet
to Mr.. Myers house and explained his
errand.
Certainly, certainly" chuckled tbs
town capitalist. pleased to get his money
Glad to see your father so punctual
young man; that's business, right to tbs
day. regardless Of anything else.
'Yes, sir" said Harry. Now II you'll
please give me receipt / shall be muci
obliged, for IT is getting late"
Certainly, certainly" cried Mr.. Myers
end he quickly made It out. Now, where
the money, young MANI"
Harry felt III his coat pocket for tn
hundred-dollar bill. Tt was not there
A shiver OF horror went through him, ant
he breathlessly put his hand in the othe
pocket, when his fingers closed over tn
precious paper. f-H
Here 1t is. Mr.. Myers" said Harry
turning It over to him.
The rich man slowly uncrumpled II.
.Where,s the rest. young nnang' b