Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1902-04-10
Mr.. woLCoT1'S ADVENTURE

rather generous capital to start, or
rather to wait on. The wise young
man did even more. He placed his
savings in his fathers hands and ar.
ranged that a certain sum should be
sent to him in New York once a
week.
For time his plan of procedure
worked well, and | am not saying that
his misadyenture Is to be attributed
to his plan. On the contrary, l COM
mend the plan and would only criti-
cize a certain departure from it which
was due largely to pardonable ignor-
ance of the great city.
1t was before he found employment
that on certain Tuesday morning he
confronted two great facts. One was
brought to his attention by a letter
from his sweetheart; she was coming
to New York on the next day with an
aunt, and would call Oh him at noon.
That was delightful. The other fact
was that he was short of cash. His
check was due the next morning, and
he knew that he could count on 1t as
he would upon the rising of the sun,
but he was equally certain that 1t
would not arrive ahead Of time.
Wolcott was not especially disturb
ed, however. With the certainty that
bis check would b. Oh hand on
Wednesday morning he resolved to
suffer prlvatlon on this day and there.
by learn a lesson that should prevent
a recurrence of the scrape another
week. But as the day grew on and
be hungered he began to wish that
some friend or acquaintance might
turn up from whom ne might borrow
4 dollar. There were, perhaps, a score
of men scattered about the city to
whom he would not have hesitated to
appeal, but to run after them was alb.
solutely out of the question. No, he
would 60 to bed hungry for once and
let it teach him to be more prudent.
This philosophical resolution endured
In all It's strength for about an hour.
Then Wolcott began to weaken. All
Of sudden 1t occurred to him that
he could pawn something. He would
not need his overcoat during the night,
1t was an expensive garment, recently
made. He would put 1t up and re-
deem It early next morning.
So he set out with his overcoat on
bis arm to find a pawnshop. He dread
I'd the experience, and his discomfort
Increased as he approached the money
lenders place of business. 1t was,
therefore, with evident discomposure
that he at last laid down his coat on
the counter and asked for a loan.
The man in charge peered sharply
at him over his glasses and then ex-
amined the coat critically. The gar
ment was more than all right. 1t was
too good. If it had been May or June
and this young man had come in with
self-possessed air and asked for $40
on the coat the money would have
been handed over without hesitation;
but in winter, and the applicant Ill at
ease
"How much do you want?' demand
ed the broker sharply.
20, a dollar will do" replied Wal
cott, trying to- assume an Indifferent
llr; ~ shall redeem 1t tomorrow morn.
Ing"
That settled It. The man who want
I'd only dollar for such a coat as that
could not have come by it honestly,
and the worthy pawnbroker was not
10 be concerned in any shady transac-
lions. He had had trouble enough.
whats the matter with the c0atw
asked the hungry Wolcott, as the gar.
nent was pushed toward him. isn't
I good for dollar?"
Don't want anything to do with
such man as you are replied the
money-lender loftily. Get outw
Utterly nonplussed poor Wolcott
look up his coat and left the shop. The
proprietor followed him to the door. A
policeman was strollng along, and to
aim the money-lender whispered a few
words. The officer looked at Wolcott
who was standing at the curb, dis
.onsolate, Inundated, hungry, wonder
ng what he'd better do He was
awakened from his reverie by a heavy
iand on his shoulder and a voice that
,ternly asked him where he was go
ng with that coat.
Home, of coursew retorted VOL
.ott, impatiently. staring away.
Guess not, young fellow" said the
guardian Of peace and property. I'm
going to run you in. You come with
me-"
OF course Wolcott had to 90. He
explained and protested all in vain.
No man who owned as good q coat q
that would fail to put II on. The
pwner Of that coat would presently
lufn up At the station to enter Z con-
JAint, and II would be a nne feather
4 fhA n0liceman,s helmet To have tha