Connecticut western news., 1899-03-09

cOdl, SHe Sdlu, WlIn nCIle reJO1ce1u u leap of the heart. as she seemed to recog- nize the garment by its form and color
 But MT. Christy laughed
 ''So did. he said, ESQ l did No, this is new coat I bought it for Will liam My son William is as tall as am and nearly as stout. and this fits me snugly-snugly I came across it in a queer way It is quite'a bargain You see, it looks entirely new. Y"
 "Yes, it certainly does, said Mrs Christy. "and exactly like yours. too dear. Aren't you jestingf'
 No. no. no said her spouse "You know only bought mine week ago. presume it is the newest style, and William has none yet He means to get cheaper one. So today, while I was in the office, in walked an old mana veritable old gentleman. Sir, says he. I am a man who does not find himself getting on well and am forced to try going a bout among the gentlemen I am tailor. have made an expensive overcoat for a gen. tleman. Ten pounds was the price, and he did not pay me. So when he had it on his back one day said, "Sir, pay me. And he said. "You wait until l am ready"
 "'Very we'll, sir. I will wait. But 1 see there is button loose. will fasten it for you. I have silk and needle here.
 "'Ah.' said he. just like you to leave it that way, and of comes the coat.
 "'You shall have it again the next day after never" said l. So away l walked. Iwould sell it for e6. which is very cheap
 ''I looked at the coat. which he un- folded from paper.
 'Guess it will fit my son. said | 'Tn try it on. and we'll see. ''So it did
 Then, said I. now, you see, do this to make up to you. as far as can. for that other fellows rascality.' ".You are an honest gentleman, said he. and I will repay you by a great bargain. I must sell my solid sil- yer spoons. I meant to melt them, not to expose my poverty. but you shall have the whole dozen for the trifle of e2.'
 Well, of course, jumped at that Mir. Christy here laid the spoons on the table-''and took out e10
 ''But he had something else which he took from under his arm
 My wife is trying to sell her shawl, he said
 "Well, I looked at the shawl he shook out of its folds
 "'You shall have it for e1, as a sam pie of my generosity. be said. with a tear in his eye.
 Well. I knew you'd like it, my dear. 1t looks like one I used to admire you in when l courted you-red center, cashmere border" and MT. Christy shook out the folds-the old shawl Mrs. Christy had exchanged for the vases that morning She knew that at once she could not mistake it. But as she looked at her husband, beaming and twinkling with good humor, she could not bear to utter the truth outright and tell how completely he had been taken in.
 ''Six pounds for the coat and e2 for the spoons, he said merrily. land e1 for the shawl, and this holding out a el note-''is all I have out of my e10 motel Poor old fellowl The last pound he had in the world, he said. Helloi What is tbisf' Mir. Christy put on his glasses and looked at the note. 'sYour name is written on it in red ink, my dear-'Caroline Christy.' Ahi This is counterfeit Why. what in all the world''-
 "Ohr' cried William, at this mo- ment entering the door That's the note mother took long while ago-a counterfeit
 And it has come back to me, said MT. Christy. "You never passed it. Caroline. Perhaps some servant took it. What fool l was not to put on my glasses when the man gave it to mel
 "We both need spectacles. said Mrs Christy. My dear. neither of us can laugh at the other. We are both com pletely sold" And when she had told her story it became very plain to all of them that the peddler who had stolen tnC SOdb opOOuS anu iuc note from Mrs Christy had by chance entered Mir. Christy's office in his busi- ness travels; that be had sold him hack his own stolen coat and his own plated spoons under the guise of wonderful bargain in solid silver
 Happily the Christy family were tol erably well off and could afford to laugh at the farce they had taken so promi- nent part in. and Mrs. Christy declared she was glad to recover the shawl that her husband remembered her wearing during the happy period of their court ship days.
 A member of the police force called shortly after to state that the thief could not be traced and was no doubt a very cunning fellow. But the Christy family did not confde their joke to the worthy officer They had the wisdom to keep it in the family.-London Spare Moments