Smyrna times., 1900-07-11
A YANKEE COAT.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
BY Francis NJ. Hardy.

Ned Moore was drawing small pleasure
from his pipe.
81 reckon the doctor spoke the truth |
and I've got to do it, 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 fit and want rest.
"a fortnight's holiday? Well, 1 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.
give, $40. 500 and another 500
that's $40; this silver will make about
S2-S42; more than 1 thought, but not
enough. Still, l can make it do, per-
haps; hang it all, must"
Ned MoOres face cleared a moment,
but only for a moment.
"What about clothes? l must have
one new rig-must, but how?
Il hate to do it, but, hang me, if 1
see any other way. And the price was
only $6; dirt cheap. Anyhow, who'll
know the rig is secondhand? And IL
any one does guess what the devil do l
careF"
After this declaration of inde-
pendence" Ned Moore put on his hat,
put out his pipe and hurried around
the corner to a secondhand clothing
shop. He was a 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 a 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 a small fault
was enough to work much mischief.
Indeed this habit of self centering
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
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. 1t was his first eXpe-
rience. however with n secondhand
clothing merchant, and constitutional
bashfulness made him an easy victim.
Ten minutes later he left that shop
the owner of a tweed lounge suit.
handsome. it Is true. hut 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 IL
Moreover. he was told to buy. and did
a.pair Of tan colored shoes and straw
hat encircled by n 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 Il
skip dinner in the big dining room ant
sup modestly in the small cafe.
Twilight deepened while he dined
and there came to the eX-invalid will
the gathering shadows a strange long
ing for companionship. Indeed thu
loneliness of the room soon grew pain
fully oppressive Through the opel
window came the heavy salt air, bear
ing to his ears the mingled talk anC
laughter of the many people on th'
sands. He could see the after Dime
crowd drifting lazily along the broad
sandy beach and, farther away, man!
isolated couples" busy, any one coult
see, retelllng that old story which re
news its youth with each generation
Had the old mood still held Ned Moor
in bondage he would have gone for
walk under the pines across the lax
and moped and smoked. But tonigh
new feelings possessed him. He wa
dominated by newborn desire t
draw nearer the heart of life-to com
IN closer touch with that crowd OF pret
ty women down by the sea. And SO b
paid his bill. put on his hat and wa
soon one of the multitude.
True, once or twice he did feel trf
fe nervous as this new drawing towar
the fair sex increased In strength, an
something whispered he was takin
big risks. 1t was this feeling, perhaps
which led him to quicken his steps
and he was soon clear of the crowt
But at the very moment when he far
cfed his feelings we're well in hand b
came suddenly into the presence of th
prettiest woman he had ever sect
She was all alone and, half reclining o
the sand. was gazing steadfastly acros
The sea to where the harvest moo
slowly lifted out of the great waters.
Before he knew what he was doin
Ned Moore had stepped behind the CIR