The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1922-01-05
HIs BEST cOAI


@"~" - "'~'ei' H|0""h"I'' ~f""'t"t'
II was one Of Mays falIlngs II YOU
call II failing, that she wanted to
help everyone In need. IN fact. to Zero
every tramp who came to the door
begging for food. A very lovable fail
ing II was, and no one could and the
heart TO blame her.
May had managed her father and
mother, and brought them into her
way Of thinking. but with Harold II
might be different.
IF ! marry you, Hal" she had told
her lover, you must let me keep on
with my charities just the same.
agreed" he laughed, with admiring
eyes II only ask that you do not run
me into the poor house"
'You know would not do that" she
pouted.- I'm just give away what IL
mine, out Of the allowance you give
me, and the old things we do not
want"
Sure thingi- he returned
Things went smoothly for May after
she was married Her husband was
devotion itself, and life was happy.
II feel real lonesome" she confided
20 her husband. Don't they have any
tramps in this part of the town."
well really, like thati" he re
scented, with pretended anger. Lone
some when you have mei Amt / as
good as any trampr'
There, Hubby, you know / didn't
mean that. You're the best husband
ever was, but you know l can't give
you cold sictuals and old clothes"
wei, ! should say not" he chuc-
kled, and the kiss he gave her assured
her she was forgiven.
II was not very long, however, be-
fore the tramps found her out in her
new quarters. II does not take long
for 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 threadhare and 1t 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, ladyl"
he suggested. ''The wind sweeps
through me in this old coat and my
lungs are weak"
He gave a hollow cough that showed
he spoke the truth. Her kind heart
was touched She must find a warm
coat for the man; there must be one
about the house somewhere.
May did not know very much about
her husbands wardrobe or what he |
did with his WORKOUT clothes, but she |
would look. No doubt she would find !
one tucked away In some closet that |
she could give to this man who needed |
II so much. Where did her husband |
put his old clothes, she wondered, for
she did not find them lying about IN
as great PROPULSION as she could have
wished.
AT last she opened closet in back
hall There II hung, the very thing |
The old coat she had been looking for
Joyfully she took II from the peg
There was a good deal OF wear In Il
yet, she noted with satisfaction II
would keep the man warm all winter
The tramp was sincere and profuse
In his thanks. and Mays heart glowed
as she watched him depart, warmly
clad in Harold's old coat.
Lets 20 to the movies tonight" sug-
gested Harold, after he finished his
supper. want to goT
"Oh, yesp cried May. "pd love TO
gol How good you arei"
AS they were about 10 start Harold
said: 81 think I'll put on my overcoat;
it's cold. i haven't worn il this sea
SON"
He went out of the room but soon
came back in CONSERVATION.
Been feeding any tramps todayY
he asked.
Eyes, one poor old man. He was
cold and hungry, and half sick, too"
"Well, he's helped himself to my best
winter overcoat for thanks" Harolds
voice was stern and May felt little
afraid.
your best overcoat Oh. Hal p she
stammered.
"Yes. ] hung It In that back hall
closet. He must have slipped In and
taken II while you we're preparing his
dainty food" His voice was bitter.
May trembled. Halls best 0vercoat h
And he was angry What would he
DO to her II she told himf Yet she
could not have the tramp blamed IN
Justly. She covered her face with her
hands and burst into tears.
"Oh, HAIR she sObbed. ut wasIft
the tramp. He didn't steal it-I-I-
gave 1t to him. But thought 1t was
old and that you'd thrown II away"
She ehivered exDectinR angry words