Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1901-12-19
Mr.. DAVIDSON'S. !. COAT.
A CHRISTMAS EPISODE WITH An UNEx-
L PEcTEDLY DISMAL ENDING.

HRISTMAS was a great time in
4/xA<< the Davidson family, an event 4
1BzS prepared for in secrecy for
u. months. 1t was the desire Of
5xH7sv>/ Mr. Davidson's heart to succeed
in surprising his wife IN the matteriof his
selection of a Christmas gift for her, and
it was his Wife's pride that in all the. 20
years Of their married life he had never
vet gained his wish. , ss. 5@
4 In consequence Of this, it was somewhat
exasperating that the clock had struck
eight on this articular Chris tmasS eve san,sf
she had not yet discovered the hidln plaza
Of to<morrows gift. ss ID n
He must know that want diamonds
this. time, She mused =s.1ts have crit
ieized the vulgar display Mrs Jonesmith
makes of them, and talked Of the Wastesof
money their purchase implies until he
must have been impelled to buy me some:
out Of sheer contrariety. But where did
he hide them? That &. $sS :5
A knock at the door interrupted her
train of thought, and particularly unin,
viting chap asked for old clothes in robust
whine. The influence Of the season was
upon Mrs. Davidson, however, and she gave
him an old overcoat which her husband
thought he might sometime wear when he
went hunting. He never did go hunting,
but he lived as if he always expected to
start early the next morning. 4:
No, l just can't think where he has put
that gift" she said, returning to her chair
and her thoughts t'Well, one comfort, he
hasn't seen the cuff links and the meer.
schaum pipe I have for him. I've moved
their hiding place twice week, so he has
had no chance to find them while rum.
maging in the waste paper basket for his
clean collars or searching in the china closet
for his necktie, which are always kept in
1 the upper left-hand bureau drawer What's
that!' 5 #
The front door had opened, cautiously and
stealthy step went up the stairs and stole
across the floor Of the room above. Mrs.
Davidson turned pale, then softly clapped
her hands. 'It's Tom going to take peep
at my present! III keep quiet and find out
where it is.
She heard the steps about the room, and
held her breath until they paused before.
the chihonier.
"Ah, it is in the drawer that Tom said.
had stuck and would not open. Why did
never think Of that before?
She listened until the cautious footsteps
came down the stairs and the front door
softly opened and shut. Then she rose IN her
triumph. 81 ss y
"Aha. he has slipped out to come in : few.
moments later, thinking that ! did not
hear him. I'll slip up now, have peep at
my diamonds and . good joke on him IN the,
morning! 81 a.
She went upstairs and lit the gas; Il
fared up-and ascream burst from her. The
room was in confusion; drawers were upset
and their contents scattered on the floor.
AS she screamed, the front door opened
and her husband came running upstairs.
h, "Well, Tom Davidson, if you think this is
. joke, l don't" she cried. To slip il this
way and play trick on your wife IS
What on earth do you mean by joke ?"
Tom Davidson, you don't mean to- say:
that didn't hear you come upstairs Is
minutes ago to look at my present and - --"
You certainly did not Hello!''' He strobe
across the room and lifted drawer Of the
chiffonier which was upside down on the
bed. AS came up the block, ] met the
ugliest tramp i ever saw, and ] could have
sworn that he wore my old coat. You simply
sat there while he riaed the place and car
ried off the diamond pin ] had gotten for
your Christmas gift! 81 As, 81 s s3
When she had quieted down : little and
Mr. Davidson was telephoning for the police,
his wife suddenly remembered that the last
hiding place for the cuff links and the meer.
schaum pipe was the breast pocket Of that
Il old coat. ~ N. Es 81.
ss ELISA ARMsTRoN BENGoUGH. N
An Eye for the Pre- sens. 81
Miss Smoot the--No, 4 cannot give You my
answer until the first Of next year. sS.;
II MI. Softleigh But, why? You say you
love me, and --aIs5 s5iszSf S
's Miss smoothe Why, yor, silly thing! Ii