Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1921-12-15
HIS BEST COAT
BY JULIA A. ROBINSON.

III was one or Mays falllngS, II yO
IN call 1t falling, that she wanted |
ry, help everyone in need in fact, to fee
di- every tramp who came to the Ndoo
ir- begging for food. A very lovable fai
N. ing 1t was, and no one could find tn
ro heart to blame her.
May had managed her father am
mother, and brought them into he
way Of thinking, but with Harold /
r. might be different.
he IF marry you, Hal" she had tolC
Id her lover, 'you must let me keep OF
p with my charities just the same.
Agreed" he laughed, with admiring
IS eyes. Il only ask that you do not run
i me into the poor house."
you know would not do that" she
pouted. "Ill just give away what is
mine, out of the allowance you give
: me, and the old things we do not
\ want"
l "Sure thing!" he returned.
i Things went smoothly for May after
she was married. Her husband was
; devotion itself, and life was happy.
Il feel real lonesome" she confided
to her husband. Don't they have any
tramps in this part of the town.
Well really, 1 like that p he re-
sented, with pretended anger. "Lone-
some J when you have me? AiEt as
| good as any tramp?'
There, Hubby, you know / didn't
mean that. You're the best husband
ever was, but you know can't give
you cold victuals and old clothes"
well, l should say not" he chuc- |
Killed., and the kiss he gave her assured |
her she was forgiven.
1t was not very long, however. be-
fore the tramps found her out in her
new quarters. 1t does not take long
Tor them to learn who is ready to help
them One by one they came to her
door, and she was happy once more
In the thought that she was doing good.
One day a very poor looking man
came to the front door. He was old
and thin and stopped. His clothes were
almost threadbare and it was a cold ,
day. May invited him into the kitchen :
and gave him food, which he ate with
a relish
IF you had an old overcoat. 1ady!
ne suggested. 1.-THE wind sweeps
through me in this old coat and nv
lungs are weak"
He gave hollow cough that showed +
he spoke the truth. Her kind heart
vas touched. She must find a warm l;
oat for the man; there must be one @,
bout the house somewhere.
May did not know very much about
er husbands wardrobe or what he Ii
Id with his WORKOUT Clothes but she
'ould look. No doubt she would find
ne tucked away in some closet that
ne could give to this man who needed
so much. Where did her husband
ut his old clothes, she wondered, for p
lie did not find them lying about in
great profusion as she could have
ished
AT last she opened a closet in a back
III. There 1t hung, the very thing
ne old coat she had been looking for.
yfully she took ii EOm the peg.
lere was good deal of wear in it
'uld keep the man warm all winter.
The tramp was sincere and profuse
his thanks, and Mays heart glowed
she watched him depart. warmly
d I'm Harold's old coat.
Let's go to the movies tonight" sug-
tied Harold, after he finished his
per. want to goT
Oh, yes!" cried May. "I'd love to
How good you are!"
IS they were about to start Harold
/: Il think I'll put on my overcoat:
cold haven't worn it this sea-
lie went out of the room, but soon
lie back In CONSERVATION.
Been feeding any tramps today?"
asked.
Yes, one poor old man. He was
and hungry, and half sick. too"
Veil, he's helped himself to nv best
er Overcoat for thanks" Harold's
was stern and May felt little
Id.
our best overcoatl Oh, Hal I" she
es. / hung IT in that back hall
t. He must have slipped in and
1t while you were preparing his
" food" His voice was bitter.
y trembled Halls best overcoat
he was angryl What would he
her If she told him? Yet she
not have the tramp blamed I'M
:. She covered her face with her
and burst into tears.
!, Hall" she sobbed. ut wasn't
ramp. He didn't steal it--E
1t to him. But thought It was
nd that you'd thrown 1t away"
shivered, expecting angry words
roach.
old was silent for a moment.
ne burst into hearty laugh.
you thought 1t looked only fit
tramp, did your And my wife