The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-11-02
PuIIington's Trousers
By Kennett F. Harris.

| struck Pullington's fancy the moment
Ell saw it. 1t was gray and black, close
| " woven, but with fine soft look about
| it. and the card at the base of the pill
lar announced that trousers would be
made of this material for only $3.50.
Pullington needed a garment of that
description to round off the coat and
waistcoat that he had left over from
| the last winter, and the gray and black
was Just about the right blend to har-
monte. The price, too, was, he thought,
extremely low.
Pullington walked into the store and
asked to be permitted to examine the
goods closely. He noticed that the
clerk seemed rather apathetic and will
| ing to let the merchandise speak for it
self. Pullington drew out some strands
of worsted from the piece and pulled
them apart, and found that they broke
fluffy and with no apparent admix-
ture of cotton. To make assurance
doubly sure he struck a match on his
boot heel and applied the fame to the
yarn, which simply curled up and siz-
zled, emitting an unpleasant odor.
Il believe I'll let you take my meas
ure," said Pullington.
The clerk yawned behind his hand
and jerked the tape measure from his
shoulder. He then took Pullington's
measure and $3.50, gave him a check
and told him that he could have the
garment the next day.
The next day passed, but the trou-
sers were not delivered. Pullington
was in no particular hurry, but he had
been considering the advisability of
buying another winter suit, and he
thought that he could hardly do better
! than return to the store and see wheth-
er he could not strike another bargain.
| There were two or three other men in
the place, among them the apathetic
clerk, who was talking earnestly to
bald-headed person with flowing side
whispers at the other end of the store.
Nobody paid any attention to Pulling
ton, so he took his time in examining
the rolls of cloth stacked on the coun-
tiers. Occasionally he looked around
and saw that the clerk was still talking
| to the bald-headed man. They seemed
to be worried about something. The
| other men had drawn together; one
| Of them had a notebook which he con-
suited from time to time and seemed
to compare with large sheet of paper
that he held in his hand. They looked
at Pullington, too, and that gentleman
wondered what the dickens they meant
by it.
At last one o: the group walked over
and laid his finger on Pullington's arm.
lie was a stout, red-faced man, with
heavy mustache and a swollen nose. He
spoke as one having authority.
I'D like you to get through as soon
as you can" he said. Il want to close
up this store"
Pullington stared.
That's no JOSH" said the redfaced
man. Il want to close the store up. I'm
deputy sheriff" He threw open his
coat as he spoke and displayed star
that corroborated his assertion.
whats the matter? Has the firm
failed?" asked Pullington.
you We hit it first clatter out of the
box" said the deputy.
Hold on; Wen see about that" said
Pullington. 1--WE got contingent in
terest in this store myself" He walked
over to the apathetic clerk. How about
this?" he asked. where are my trou-
sers?"
The clerk surveyed him with lack
| 10 h1y 'nJn pn
he replied.
Hold on here! Easy!" said the dep
uty as Pullington made threatening
| gesture.
Didn't you measure me for pair of
trousers yesterday and take my money
for them?" asked Pullington, angrily
what kind Of skin game is this, any
way?"
wait a minute, my friend, and don't
get excited" said the man with the side
whiskers. Did you take the gentle
mans order?" he continued, addressing
the clerk.
What name?" asked the languorous
clerk.
"Pullington."
The clerk looked as if he didn't think
much of that for name, and consulted
his order book. Here it is" he said,
after moments search. Burlington
--S4.50-was to be delivered to-day.
They are probably done now"
Well do get them?"
Il guess you'll have to see the receiver
about that. l don't know anything
about this business yesterday-not for
certain"
Il didn't know anything about it my
SELF" said the man with the whiskers.
II thought the blamed thing could be
settled. There was no reason why it
couldn't be, either. There's spite work
in this" He looked with an air of chal-
ienge at the man in the light overcoat
who had been busy with his notebook.
II don't care a continental whether
there's spite work about il or not" said
Pullington. Il want my trousers, and
I'm going to get them, too"
"Maybe you WILL" said the deputy.