Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-01-08
HIS COAT BARGAIN.

| dCcustoHleu niHuStiI " pidSeiNhS HSio
hateful to a young man with a mag
nifcent talent for expenditure and
clerks wages When the sum reached
$500 he intended to purchase a fur-lined
overcoat
The furrier, of whom Bells first in
quiry was made as to the price of a
smartly trimmed and lined garment said
carelessly:
"Oh, $75 up Depends upon what you
want to spend, and the materials you
select"
"How far up do they go?" asked Bell
hopefully.
could make you something very smart
for $500"
Bell sighed, observed that he was sorry
| to have bothered the furrier and that
he'd be in later. Strolling up the street,
he laughed sadly. Where would man
on $75-a month salary find $500? After
discarding various wild schemes as inn
possible of fulfllment without jail sen
tence to follow, he decided upon the sim
plest and oldest. He would save Ger
tain amount each month.
A year of self denial had cost him
many pleasures. There were two or
three extremely nice girls, whom he had
| formerly felt able to ask to the theater
and supper, waited impatiently for ten
days. received no invitations to anything,
and hurriedly encouraged the advances
of more thoughtful individuals.
Bell, in his new scheme, could call,
and spend an evening in sprightly con-
verse, but neither theaters nor midnight
meals were on his list of absolute neces-
stiles. After several telephone messages
had failed to bring a pleasant note from
the young ladies, he stopped wasting
nickels, and found a place where for
| SIPS one might purchase any late book.
| If the volume was returned a 81 rebate
belonged to the customer, OF he might
take another book.
Bell could lay in a stock of sand
witches and fruit for the long nights, and
| for a very moderate outlay he found
within printed pages ladies kinder and far
cleverer whom one need not entertain at
ALL
So when a year had gone, and No
vembers blasts whipped against legs
that no oyercoat skirts protected, Bell
| looked at his bank account and won
dered if 1912 would be enough for that
fur coat. He had the book with him as
| ilt SlIOlASu 4 WtIllN -IOuIlu SbTHeI
and paused to peep into a show window,
bearing the sign ''The Small Fur Store
Muffs, stoles, Jackets and pelerines
were arranged in charming pTofusion
There were ermine and dark striped
mink, Hudson seal and the better quail
ties of that barking seafaring animal.
The display excited Bell
Why should he not march into fur
rier's and demand to be measured for
a coat? His eyes frightened, and his
nose in the chill river wind, seemed
warmer at the thought
His office was near Once inside it he
determined to return to the attractive
shop at lunch time and reward himself
as soon as possible for those twelve
months of going without things that left
| life gavorless as meat minus salt
Il saw fur coat that made my eyes
bulge out, when | came along" remarked
a bookkeeper. Il went back to look at
it. II was in the next block"
Towards Fifth" asked Bell
No, the other way, near Seventh ave-
nue.. 1t was a hummer. Never saw any
thing so cheap before
Bell smiled to himself He would soon
surprise the bookkeeper by appearing
| clad in his new purchase. At noon he
left the office There was time enough
to view the bookkeeper's bargain and it
was as well to get an idea of STYLES be-
fore ordering
Fine furs-we save you the middle
mans profits" He paused at this sign.
| Upon Il wax figure was full-lengtb
coat, The shell" was of lustrous black
cloth. The lining cunningly thrown
backward, seemed to be mink. 1t might
be muskrat from upstate, dyed, or that
dubious creature known as Japanese
mink The wide shawl collar, continued
Tor two inches down the edges of the
front, was apparently Persian lamb. So
were the cuffs.
1t was marked 1890 reduced from
So Bell stared until the glass blurred
beneath his rapid breaths
| "Ot course, it's the bunk" he uImi
! mated; must be that imitation Persian
cloth, Astrakhan, or whatever it is, can't
be real"
He remembered an advertisement in q
sunday paper at which he had laughed.
! because of the absurditv of its offering
to sell fur-lined coats for $50 Tbee
picture Of an old-time actor. of the Booth.
Barrett AlcCready school. wearing y
shaggy collared garment, followed tbe
recollection. Coats. yes-but not for
man who followed the mode.
Still, this coat-he squeezed closer. and
gazed harder.
ut looks classy, it really does!" he
murmured.
"Und i'd ISIS classy, mine jong friendt.
said voice belonging to little man
who stepped from the entrance. Bed. |
der dry it on"
Bell laughed
What's it made of, on the levely" he
ieered. Looks like S400 coat at least
Or is the $50 for one cuff. rest comes
extra?"
The little man said seriously. that the |
price was $50.
Bud for this week only" he added; |
sid would fit you! Led me try it!o
The coat fascinated Bell. 1t would |
be idiocy to waste any part OF tie money |
meant for a good coat-and yet--apd |