Some
store-keepers try to get his money away from him, but, as for me, I
want nothing to do with him."

The blow on the shoulder had not injured Matt, and soon the incident,
exciting as it had been, was almost forgotten. Andy had struck a
bargain, as he termed it, in the purchase of his new overcoat, and he
wished Matt to go off at once and get one like it.

"They are selling about two dozen off at bottom price," he said. "And
you want to lose no time if you wish to get fitted. It is the first
store on the third block above here."

"All right, I'll go, Andy, for I can't do without the overcoat," and
off Matt started, never once dreaming of what was going to happen on
that simple little shopping trip.

Matt located the clothing shop without difficulty. It was quite well
filled with customers, but he soon found the salesman who had served
Andy, and this young man did not keep him waiting any longer than was
absolutely necessary.

There were three overcoats which just fitted Matt, and he hesitated as
to which to take. He tried them all on, but could not decide the
question.

"I'll take them to the daylight and examine them," he said, and walked
from the center of the store, which was lighted by gas, toward the
show window.

Here he began to examine each overcoat critically. One was black, the
other brown, and third a dark blue. Matt rather fancied the dark
blue.

While he was handling over the dark-blue coat, the form of a ragged
man darkened the side of the show window furthest from the door. With
hardly a thought, Matt looked up to see who it was.

Then the heart of the young auctioneer seemed to fairly stop beating.
The ragged man on the pavement outside was _his father_!

With a sharp cry that startled every one in the establishment, Matt
dashed down the garments he held and made a rush for the door. At the
same moment the man outside, catching one glimpse of Matt's face, put
up both his hands to his forehead and sped up the street as if running
for his life!

"What's the matter with that young fellow?"

"What's the matter with the man?"

"Say, come back here!"

"Did he steal anything?"

These and a score of other cries rang out in quick succession. But
Matt paid no attention, nor did he stop to offer any explanation to
the astonished clothing salesman. He had seen his father, his father
for whom he had been searching so long and so earnestly! He could tell
that face, as haggard and white as it wa