Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-08-14
A YANKEE COAT.
By Francis r. Hardy.

from his pipe.
81 reckon the doctor spoke the truth
and I've got to do 1t, but It's the devils
own luck.
"Of course, can't help the fever nor
the fever leaving me weak as water.
and know amt lit and want rest.
"a fortnlght's holiday? Well, I can
manage the time. but how about mon.
ey? Spring Lake will eat up $50 bill
In less than ten days"
Here pipe was abandoned for a mo-
ment while pockets were emptied.
"Five. $40. $40 and another $40
that's $40: this silver will make about
s2-s42; more than thought, but not
enough. Still. can make 1t do. per-
haps: hang 1t nil. must"
Ned Moore's face cleared moment
but only for moment.
what about clothesf must have
one new rig-must. but how?
Il hate to do II, but, hang me, II
see any other way. And the price was
only 50; dirt cheap. Anyhow, who'll
know the rig Is secondhand? And X
any one does guess what the devil do
care?"
After this declaration Of inde-
pendence" Ned Moore put on his hat,
put out his pipe and hurried around
the corner to secondhand clothing
shop. He was bundle Of contrasts
and contradictions. this handsome
bachelor Of -. He could bully his
pipes. dogs. fire; could scintIllate wit
and talk himself into smiles or tears
when alone. But, lacking the shelter
Of home and stimulus OF solitude. he
was n different creature. Bashful-
blushing like young girl when spoken
to-and hopelessly bankrupt In strong
talk OF men or small talk Of women. he
was generally regarded as cold, proud,
awkward, morose. He was nothing OF
the kind-merely self conscious, that
was ALL But In his case small fault
was enough 10 work much mischief.
Indeed this habit of self centerlng
thought had made the poor fellow an
easy victim TO fever and later delayed
convalescence. And for this reason
his doctor Insisted that when he did
visit the seashore he should stay at a
fashionable hotel
When Ned Moore arrived at the sec
ondhand shop. he made the painful
discovery that the blue serge suit he
wished to buy was built for man
twice his size. II was his first expe-
rience, however. with secondhand
clothing merchant. and constitutional
bashfulness made him an easy victim.
Ten minutes later he left that shop
the owner Of tweed lounge suit,
handsome. It Is true. but combina-
ton OF yellow and black aggressively
"horsy" In color and pattern. He did
not like the thing; In fact, posi-
lively loathed the bizarre combination
of color and cut. Unfortunately the
salesman said It was the thing for him
to buy, and OF course he bought II.
Moreover. he was told to buy. and did,
a pair OF tan colored shoes and straw
hat encircled by a black and yellow
ribbon.
When Ned Moore caught his first
view Of the crowded veranda OF the
Monmouth House, he wished he hadn't
come, and after working his way
through a bevy Of pretty girls sur
rounding the main door he decided to
skip dinner in the big dining room and
sup modestly in the small cafe.
Twilight deepened while he dined,
and there came to the ex-invalid with
the gathering shadows strange long
Ing for companionship. Indeed the
loneliness Of the room soon grew pain
July oppressive. Through the open
window came the heavy salt air, bear.
ing to his ears the mingled talk and
laughter Of the many people on the
sands. He could see the after dinner
crowd drifting lazily along the broad,
sandy beach and. farther away, many
isolated couples" busy. any one could
see, retelling that old story which re-
news Its youth with each generation.
Had the old mood still held Ned Moore
In bondage he would have gone for a
walk under the pines across the lake
and moped and smoked. But tonight
new feelings possessed him. He was
dominated by q newborn desire to
draw nearer the heart Of life-to come
In closer touch with that crowd Of pref
ty women down by the sea. And so he
paid his bill. put on his hat and was
soon one Of the multitude.
True, once or twice he did fee! tri-
de nervous as this new drawing toward
the fair sex increased in strength, and
something whispered he was taking
big risks. II was this feeling. perhaps,
which led him to quicken his steps,
and he was soon clear Of the crowd.
But at the very moment when he fan
cied his feelings were well in hand he
came suddenly into the presence Of the
prettiest woman he had ever seen.
She was all alone and, half reclining on
the sand, was gazing steadfastly across
the sea to where the harvest moon
slowly lifted out of the great waters.
Before he knew what he was doing
Ned Moore had stepped behind the girl,
dropped on the sand, slipped his arm
around her waist and was giving her
an old fashioned hug.
That the young woman took kindly
to this embrace was quickly proved,
for her head dropped against Ned
Moore's shoulder, and q little hand
stroked his yellow and black coat
sleeve. Moreover. the young woman
murmured loud enough to be heard
above the rush Of the surf:
"Yes. darlingy'
Ned Moore could plainly hear his
heart beating, but he couldn't, to save
his life. get q grip on words. SO he
hugged the girl again. She seemed to
read the right meaning In his silence,
however, for she whispered:
"Such . heavenly night Isn't II.
sweetheartT
II must say something" thought Ned
Moore, and he was on the point Of
speaking when another man spoke for
him:
WELL I'm darned"
And when Ned Moore looked up be
saw facing him Z man about bis own
size and build-a man whose face was
livid with passion. The intruder didn't