The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-16
~
90 @S
0
9 THE BEST MANS COAT
Cd
90 @S

surprise to observe what small and
even ridiculous matters serve TO infiu-
ence a mans development and success
in life. Peter Sand. master OF arts and
fellow OF ST. Gaston's. was dim sighted.
and failed on one occasion to distin-
gulsh between a black cloth and dark
blue. In this fact lies the secret of his
subsequent development and prosper
ity.
Three years ago Peters development
had apparently ceased. He lived entire-
~ at the university town OF Durbridge,
was known as "a fellow OF st. Gaston's,
and occasionally iectured on anthrop-
ology. HIS friends had once expected a
great deal from him, but had for some
time abandoned these expectations.
one or two articles in scientific maga-
zines formed the sum total OF his con-
tributions To the press, and the first
portions OF his great work on "The
Epoch OF the Mastodon" had been writ
ten only TO be thrown aside. The In
come from his fellowship was more
than enough for his comfort, and he
had never liked society. Gradually he
had withdrawn further and further in
10 himself, until at the age OF thirty
three ne looked ten years older. and
was a willing and cOntented reciuse.
His enemies called him THE Fossil,
ana he was familiarly knovea among
his friends AZ Little Peter"
His usual course OF life received an
interruption one day in the form OF "a
letter from Barron. an old schoolfellow.
VINO had kept "A distant but kindly eye
De-, F..s-
fellow of St. Gaston's read the letter
several times before he could compre-
hend IL fully. Barron was about TO be
married, and wished his old friend TO
attend as groomsman.
A notification that he would be ex-
pected to act as bridegroom could
scarcely have caused Peter more dis
tress. He a groOmsman-at n wedding!
Ii was diculous-impossibl To re-
fuse Barron's request, however. SEEM
ed also impossible. for he was the last
of that almost forgotten circle OF carly
friends. After long and troubled con-
sideration he sent an urgent note, ask
ing the bridegroom to come up 10 Dur
bridge ana explain.
Barron came, big fellow with
large heart, which even his work as
country solicitor had not succeeded In
warping. He was one OF those who had
respected Peters learning. and had
hoped for great things from him. His
disappointment was extreme Ia find
shrinkage instead Of expansion, re,
treat instead OF attainment
Dear me. Sandv' he cried whats
wrong with you? You look SO old. and
so very gray. 10 you go out much?"
Never" answered Peter. why
should I?'
"Why. because you are becoming a
fossil, man" was the candid answer.
You must wake up-you ought 10 mar
ry."
'and lose my fellowship
Barron sighed and felt sorry that the
fellowship had ever been gained. Then
he set himself to persuade Peter To run
down for the wedding, and TO UNDER
take the duties OF groomsman. IL was
20 be "a very quiet affair. he explained,
and the responsibility was simply moth
ing. Peter listened, and gradually gave
way To the bridegrooms' amusement,
he then began to make exhaustive
notes in a pocketbook, so that he might
not forget any of his duties.
"Since you don't care for going about
much. said Barron, you needn't come
down until the day before. That viii
be time enough, and you won't require
so much luggage"
Just my things, suppose?'' said the
fellow ats lucky that I've had a first
rate new coat lately. It's blue one.
"Hlueg'
Yes, dark blue. I intended to get
black, but ! am shert-sighted. you
know. and when the patterns were
submitted | chose blue by mistake. But
it's a splendid thing, and my landlady
tells me that ii looks very well: should
like TO do you credit at the wedding, OLD
fellow"
He uttered the last words so kindly
and his confidence in the blue coat was
so touching and childlike that Barron
could not speak the protest which rose
TO his lips. Besides, If Peter had L.
exert himself to order and fit new
coat he might rebel and give up ths
project altogether. So he held his peace
rejecting that there might be no law
against blue after all. He did not KNOW
how criminal his silence was, Tor ne
was but a man, and had never Deen
married before. When he reached homa
he found cause to regret his silence
The brde-to-be was supported by thf
presence OF her sister, who had RlNe1
up position Of ease as countesss
companion to I'll the vacant place i'
the family circle. She had bright eyes
and a quick tongue. and did not show
such reverence for her new brother a.
she might have shown. Barron was
continually at war with her.
What Is this, Mr.. Sand?' she asked
pertly. What Is his work.
"Oh, he's Fellow said Barron.
Indeed That is very lucid. Is he
nice fellow?"
"He is "A Fellow with capital II
Miss Pattie," was the rebulNng answer
"a Fellow OF ST. CASTOR College. His
work s-is-anthropology
"And what Is that. pfayg
"Oh. skulls" said Barron-"skulli
and skeletons. and all that sort Of thing
He's wonderfully clever-so clever tha'
the ST CASTOR people give him tw.
hundred a year as long as he remains
unmarried. They know that marriage
spoils clever men, SO they bribe them 10
remain single!'
His triumph was but brief one.
Has anybody ever tried to bribe yot
to remain single, John2" asked Mis-
Pattie icily: and John was so dcmor-
allied by the thrust that In another
moment he had betrayed the secret Of
Peters coat.
The minutes that followed were decld-