Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-09-18

he determined to invite him to go,
particularly because he felt indignant
at the way Tom was treated by the
Vennard boys. As he and Chester Han
nard were returning from fishing trip
one evening, he heard the boys on the
pier talking about the fair.
"The ladies'" said one, have asked
Tom White to take one of the tables at
the fair. They think lie will be a
great success, there's so much style
about him."
This remark was greeted by roar of
laughter
'"They night put him beside the
grab-bag and call him the rag-bag,"
said another, while third said:
''Or make a side-show OF him, like
those they have at the circus; The
greatest scarecrow on earth; imported
at great expense from -
CAS- a side show he would be a
great success" interrupted Dick, with
a look of amusement in his black eyes;
'they might let him show how easily
he corld knock the conceit out OF any
two of you. That is side-show that
| would pay all my money to see.
An awkward silence followed this re-
mark, and Dick and Chester went on
towards home.
at is a shame" said Chester, "the
way those fellows jeer at Tom White.
It is not his fault that he is so ragged;
there are six children at home for him
to feed"
Hes a fine fellow" answered Dick,
Indignantly, ''and he is going to the
fair better clothed than any of those
fellows will ever be, if they live hum
dred years. The suit he'll wear that
night was made by one of the best
tailors in New York"
Where will he get it-from the
clouds?" asked Chester, sitting laugh
at the idea of Toms being thus attired,
for he saw that Dick was too much in
earnest to take the laugh in good part.
NO; from my trunk"
How will he get into it," glancing
at Dick and thinking of Toms broad
shoulders.
IN manage somehow, if l have to
turn tailor myself and make it fit him.
| know he couldn't wear a suit of mine,
but this belongs to my brother John,
and was packed in my trunk by mis-
take. John is broader across the
shoulders than l am. | hope Tom will
wear the suit; it would be better than
any sida-show to see those boys when
they catch sight Of him"
Dick did not breach the subject to
Tom until the day Of the fair, and then
he did so as delicately as possible. He
took out OF HI: trunk a coat and a pair
Of white duck trousers, TO which he
added a linen shirt with nicely laun-
dered collar and cuffs, such as he al
ways wore himself; then he invited
TEN to try them all on.
What for?" was Toms natural ques
ton.
'Well-just for fun
So with Dicks assistance, Tom was
soon dressed in the suit, although he
thought that SO much purple and fine
linen did not harmonic with the rest
Of him.
Dick was something Of a dandy, and
he affected the highest Of stifily starch
ed collars. Like all tall, slender peo-
niel he bads~a long neck, while Tom,
being short and thick set, had a short
heavy neck, and his round, sun-burned
face stared over the collar in an anx-
ious way, and he felt that he could not
stand having his head held in such
position very long.
VIII YOU wear this suit to the fair
to-night?" asked Dick, and Tom, who
was quite as proud as his wealthy
young benefactor, pulled the coat Off
and answered bluntly:
mo, [ won't. You mean it kindly,
Howe, but
Hold on, Tom; look here a minute.
shall enjoy the fair great deal more
if you will &c with me- It's all right;
grandmother told me to ask you to
take dinner with me. Chester Han
nard is coming, too. Now, tell me,
why won't you wear the suit?''
Because I don't like wearing other
peoples clothes"
"They are not other peoples clothes;
they are yours if you will accept them.
Now, see here, Tom, my brother John,
who owns the suit, doesn't want it.
He left it at home because he couldn't
wear it, and it was packed in my trunk
by mistake The other things are all
mine. and I don't need them any more
than | need another heal-nOt 50 much,
in fact Now please don't be proud
and obstinate, but take these things,
and We'll have a good time tonight"
Tom appreciated Dicks kindness. but
he only looked stubborn and would
have shaken his head in the negative if
the collar had not rendered such a
movement Impossible Dick would
have been compelled to give UP his
plan had he not received an unexpected
reinforcement at this moment
1t was Mrs. CGngreve. Dicks grand
mother, for whom Tom had an intense
respect and admiration.
"T only wanted to say, Dick All,
how do you do, Tom? You will stay
and take dinner with Dick, will you
not?"
Tom was silent with embarrassment
for a moment and then ne answered:
Yes thank YOU. | will"
And Dick knew that everything was