St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1899-12-09
PulIinston's Trousers
BY Kennett r. Harris.

THE cloth falling in symmetrical
folds from the pillar that it COW
cred in the clothing store window
struck Pullington's fancy the moment
eh saw it. 1t was gray and black, close
ly 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 of 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-
monize. 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
doubiy sure he struck a match on his
boot heel and applied the flame to the
yarn. which simply curled up and siz-
zled, emitting an unpleasant odor.
II believe Ill 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
ald-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 = notebook which he con-
suited from time to time and seemed
to compare with a large sheet of paper
that ne Held in his hand. They looked
at Pullington. too. and that gentleman
wondered what the dickens they meant
by it.
AT last one of the group walked over
aud laid his finger on Pullington's arm.
He was a stout, red-faced man, with a
heavy mustache and a swollen nose. He
spoke as one having authority.
I'D like you to get through as soon
as yon can," he said. Il want to close
up this store
Pullington stared.
That's no josh" said the red-faced
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've hit it first clatter out of the
box" said the deputy.
Hold on; we'll zee about that" said
i've got a contingent in
terest in this store myself" He walked
over to the apathetic clerk. "How about
this 2" he asked. "Where are my trou-
seIs7"
The clerk surveyed him with lack
luster eyes. "You seem to have 'em on.
he replied.
Hold on here! Easy!" said the dep
uty az Pullington made q 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 q 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 a name, and consulted
his order book. Here it is" he said,
after moments search. .Pullington
to be delivered to-day.
They are probably done now"
We'll, do 1 get them?"
Il guess you'll have to see the receiver
about that. / don't know anything
about this business yesterday-not for
eertain."
Il didn't know anything about it my
sell" said the man with the whiskers.
Il 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-
lenge 1t the nan in the light oyercoat |
who had been busy with his notebook.
Il don't care . continental whether
there's spite work about it or moi, > said |
Pullington. II want my trousers, and
In going to get them. too"
Maybe Jou will," sid the deputy.