Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-05-22
JUDGED BY
HIS COAT


The smooth faced, chubby looking
man of 40, whose long and fashionably
cut overcoat was ornamented with a
heavy mink collar and equally heavy
mink cuffs, entered the smoking car at
Philadelphia, deposited his bag in the
rack overhead and as the car was
somewhat chilly kept his overcoat on
while he pulled out a pretty good cigar
and started in on the enjoyment of n
smoke.
The man in the seat across the aisle
seemed to be pretty comfortable owing
TO the attention he'd been paying to his
big silver flask since the departure of
the train from New York, and when he
saw the smooth faced, genial looking
man with the fur trimmed overcoat he
handed the flask over to him, saying:
'IIave pull at that, chum. It's chilly
in here"
Thanks" said the man with the fur
trimmed overcoat, smiling amiably,
but I've just had luncheon"
After awhile fashy looking chap
came in from one of the day coaches
and took seat alongside the man with
the fur trimmed overcoat. He sized up
the man with the fur trimmed overcoat
out of the tail Of his eye, lit cigar
and inquired of his seat mate:
We'll, how are they running for youi
Picking the winners?"
81 don't believe l quite catch your
meaning" said the man with the fur
collar and cuffs good naturedly.
His questioner grinned.
"Ah, come off, he said banteringly.
81 mean are you mailing the babes that
are getting over the plate first?"
STILL" said the man with the fur
trimmed oyercoat, 81 think l fail to
apprehend you"
"Oh, quit your joshing," said his seat
mate. Are you playing the ponies that
are running at San Francisco or at
New Orleans, and how're you making
out?"
"Oh, now 1 think l understand YOU"
said the man with the fur trimmed
Overcoat, beaming. "The running
horses, take it, you allude to? Well,
| am not playing Them as you put it.
at ALL"
PASSED the game up, eh?' said his
seat mate.
"Well, 1 can't say that l have, really,
seeing that l never did engage in the
practice of wagering money on horse
races" said the man with the fur trim
med evercoat quite amiably. ITS
practice of which l scarcely approve"
His seat mate pulled out a flask and
offered it to the smooth faced genial
looking man.
Hit this up. It's the right goods"
ae said cordially.
81 think not" said the man with the
tur trimmed overcoat quite beamingly
aside from the fact that I've Just eat
en-, don't use spirits in any form"
"Ah, say, pal, cut out that strlnging."
said his seat mate. "Anybody could see
hat you're dead game, all right, by
your make up. Like to Join in Il little
game of hearts or seven up or even 10
cent limit poker just to pass the time
away? l can soon get a bunch Of fell
lows together"
We'll" said the man with the fur
collar and cuffs, Il hardly think so to-
day. l never play cards"
"Say, now l know you're a kiddcr,"
said his seat mate. "You don't ex-
pect me to swallow coin like that, do
you-that you don't ever hit up the old
red eye or juggle the pasteboards or
put little piece of change on the
ponies when you've got front on
you like that-man with coat like
you're wearingY'
The man with the suspected over
coat smiled.
"My friend" said he, permit me to
put you right. l am a minister of the
gospel, and | live in Baltimore. My
own overcoat was stolen from me in
hotel in Philadelphia yesterday and
one of my Philadelphia friends who
is somewhat addicted to things of this
world loaned me the overcoat you now
see me wearing until l can have an
other one made. Tut, tut No harm
done. Don't mention it, Here are my
card and the address of the church i'll
Baltimore of which am rector, and if
at any time you should feel like re-
newing your spiritual strength while
you are sojourning in Baltimore /
should be delighted to have you call
upon me. Er-come to think of it,
my cardcaSe was in the oycrcoat that
was stolen from me. But never mind.
You shall find me whenever you feel
disposed to seek the consolation of re-
ligiOn, and"-
But Nat Goodwin's spot motp hod nj g..