Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 308, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 December 1913 — STORIES from the BIG CITIES [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

STORIES from the BIG CITIES

Why He Sold Coat He Had Intended for Newsboy

NEW YORK. —Stepping briskly in the chilly air of early morning, but snugly wrapped in his great coat, a veteran commuter from Douglaston, I*. L. approached his favorite “newsboy,” an aged man who holds forth at Broad-

way and Thirty-fourth street, and whose bent forx» was shaking violently as he shifted from one foot to another at the intersection of the wind-swept thoroughfares. A fight summer coat, with no waistcoat, was all the protection he had from thecold. (Certainly, the man worp trousers, although the reporter forgot to mention it.) “Just a bit chilly for you, old man,” said the* commuter, with an undiscounted, ho,te of compassion in his voice. “Yes, it is very, very cold 6n this comer,” he returned in shivery tones. The warmth of his big coat spread to the heart of the man from Douglaston. He had another overcoat at home, a coat he wore on -country tramps and in bad weather. The election having been to his liking and everything else in the world:

all that he desired, he made up his mind to bring along the second overcoat, for the “newsboy” next morning. Carrying the coat on his arm, and choking just a little with the emotion that fills the hreast of man when rendering a kindly deed, he debated how hewould give the coat to him without show or any chaiice of giving offense. “Not so chilly this morning,” he said, “but rather cool yet, rather cool, eh?” “It is,” said the newsdealer, “but probably not as cold here as it is z in the country where you live. “We’ve, had some frost out there, but none this morning.” ■.“ We've known each other in a business way for several years,” the aged man said vvlth a smile. “But I never knew where you lived.” “Oh, I live at Douglaston, just 13 miles out. Best place on Long Island,” replied the commuter, with the customary review of the species commute. “Douglaston? Why, that is where my property is located,” said the “newsboy,” “or rather, Douglas Manor. I like that section best.” The commuter took his newspaper and turned toward Seventh avenue, where he sold the coat to a second-hand dealer for $3. w