The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1921-07-07
Barney. Wedding
Suit
~ WILLIAM FALL

dearY pleaded pretty Mrs. Ainslee'
the bride Of q year. If anything
should happen to you"
"But nothing Is going to happen TO
me, little chick" said bluff, happy
Bob, her husband. "See here, you
sensible pet" said Bob. "Once a year
the managers at our establishment
meet Suggestions as to improving
trade, getting acquainted, promotions
awarded-and / expect one. mind
you-and real, good jolly fellowship
all around"
"Just think, though If they should
tempt you, Bob !" persisted Mrs. AIMS
lee. "A dark night, q lonely neigh
borhood, miles away from home. LOOK
at that man I hire to do our chores,
and think what temptation has cost
him."
"Ehl oh, yes" responded Bob,
tlancing past the porch at 4 man pill
Ing up kindling wood In the back
yard. "Your protege, hs looks fairly
comfortable, for all these temptations
yeu tell about"
"Just now, maybe, but he was q
wreck, and I reformed him. He looks
20 comfortable" explained Laura
Ainslee proudly, because I give him
all your old clothes. He's waiting
for the season to pass to get the ones
you're wearing now"
"Oh, he isw remarked Bob. "Well,
he'll have to wait two full months for
this one"
"He's patient, dear" said. Laura.
"Oh, Bob l feel so pleased with old
Barney, as they call him. He's
SVEN up drinking and Is saving up
money. And what do you think! He
IL actually talking Of getting married
to q widow who owns a restaurant
car. I have an idea he is counting
on that suit Of yours for the we'd
ding"
"Wen good-by," smiled Bob" Home
the earliest I can. and clear water,
dear. believe me-"
A fine fellow Of his word, honest
Bob went his way. A bis-hearted lit
de philanthropist, Laura proceeded to
the yard.
"That was my husband. Barney"
she said.
"Yes'm; often seer him; often re-
marked how happy he oughter be
with a wife like you," bowed and
scrapsd the polite tramp.
"That suit he has OIL told him
you were waiting for It."
Barney only grinned his delight at
the announcement.
"See here, num-" said the tramp,
"the fellow who wouldn't try and
make good after being treated like a
man "a you have done, is no gentle
man. That suit !" added Barney gloat-
ingly, "say, I dream about 1t nights.
I've sort Of made 1t the top stone Of
responsibility. My, won't I shine. I'm
deeply grateful. mum, truly, humbly
grateful"
Barney finished his task. Then
he came around to the back door to
report. Mrs. Ainslee handed him q
half dollar.
Barney felt quite proud as he
thought Of the anticipated garb. He
went to a restaurant, and then he
strolled around for an hour, and f.
nally landed at a moving picture show.
1t was eleven O'Clock when he fol-
lowed the crowd out to the street.
It was drizzling a trifle. As he passed
q well-known hotel, several gentle
men came out, shook hands in part
ing, and one Of them, turning up his
coat collar, started on. at a breakneck
pace.
"Hello!" suddenly exclaimed Bar
ney with a start and a stare, "Why,
that's my suit"
1t certainly was Bob Ainslee.
give got to catch him." breathed
the ardent pursuer. SITS beginning
to rain harder. Say, he'll spoil my
suit. How careless some people are !"
About to hail Mr.. Ainslee, the tramp
broke into his best run instead. Pass
ing a dark alley, Bob was halted by
three footpads.
Hands up, boss" ordered the
leader.
Bif! bang-"Police !"- thus Bar
ney, his umbrella swinging Nike a
hafl, his voice braying out in a hoarse
war hoop. At the corner a policeman
appeared. The bafied hold-up men
darted back into the alley. Bob Aims
lee picked up his watch where it had
fallen when Barney struck up the pill
fering arm Of the footpad.
why, my man! You arrived in
the nick Of time. didn't your hailed
jolly Bob. s .
s'Yes sir. Umbrella, please. sir;
you're getting wet"
20, never mind that"
.But lists my suit" explained
barney desperately.
'Nhf hal why, it's my wffe's pro-
teee, i declared How came you herer'
barney explained.
~Soe here, Barney" he said in a
ff1sndly way. "You call at my house
tomorrOw. There will be something
waiting there for you"
Afrs, Ainslee beamed with delight
- her husband walked into the house
half IN hour earlier than she expect
~
.You can pack up this suit for that
aetfv1 ufoteRe Of yours tomorrow.
IAura announced Bob. Hes earned
ThM 40 told her. There were
thxilla - lob depicted the great rough
sfookpedh and throbs OF delight as he
related how her Kindness to the tramp
had prevented a robbery, possibly