The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1911-05-27

was sitting In a crowded restau-
rant.
At the same table was little old
man, who seemed inclined to be
friendly in spite of the fact that he
was suffering from a severe cold.
So It was not long before we began
TO converse on general subjects, and
found him interesting.
The matter Of promiscous charity
came up and kind deeds in general.
II believe" I said, that a man
should not tell all the world Of his
good deeds. 1t is my principle not
to let my left hand know what my
right hand doeth."
"a very good plan," he replied.
was quite young, and, though the
old man looked like gentleman; I
could not but be impressed by the
fact that evidently he was in rather
straitened circumstances, II his cloth
ing was any indication Of his finan-
cial condition.
1t was a warm spring evening and
my overcoat, hanging by the table,
was something rather unnecessary
for one of my age, but could not
help feeling some surprise when !
noticed that the old gentleman with
the cold seemed to possess none.
AS I was about to leave the table,
my meal being finished, l remarked
on the fact.
YES he replied, 81 was foolish to
come away without an overcoat, but
did not realize how cool it would
get toward night"
Then he detained me whit an ex-
traordinary account of charitable
scheme in which he was interested.
and stood talking with him for.
some minutes longer.
The evening was so pleasant that
Swalked home-a matter of four
miles, and, strange to relate, it was
not until 1 was nearly there that
realized had forgotten my coat.
I left it at the restaurant!
OF course my first action was to
telephone to the proprietor and in.
quire about it, I was told that no
coat had been found in the place that
evening.
Some one had run off with it with
out question. There was nothing to
do but go to bed and face the neces-
sity Of purchasing a new one on the
morrow.
l lived alone in the big house that
had come to me under the will Of
my father, who had died recently,
and, as I sat at breakfast the next
morning, in the large dining-room,
the place seemed all out of proper
ton for a lone bachelor.
Suddenly the thought of my over
coat came to me. Could It be pos
sible that the old man with whom
had been talking the evening before,
and who had been in the need of a
coat, could have taken 1t with him
when he left the restaurant?
was bordering over this, when
the door bell rang, and the servant
disappeared to answer the summons.
In moment she had returned.
"An old gentleman to see you,
sir" she said.
AS was in somewhat of a hurry,
I told her to show him into the din
ing-room.
It was my acquaintance Of tho
evening before, and over his arm he
carried my coat.
Good morning, sir" he said.
Good morning." replied, laugh
ing at the fear had had that he was
the thief of my overcoat.
"You will see," he continued, that
discovered where you lived, and
have brought your coat back"
"How did you know" responded,
taking the coat and smiling at him.
"There was a card in the pocket
with your name and address. 1t was
an extremely kind thing for you TO
do"
what do you mean?" cried,
thinking that he had been the one to
do the kind act by returning the coat
to me.
"why, your leaving your coat for
me-"
"Oh," gasped, not understanding.
"You see" he continued, latter you
left me I noticed your coat hanging
thara knaw Il WAS YOURS. as |