Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1851-12-05
The Old Surtout.


had taken place on the top of one of II
coaches which run between Edingburgh an
Glasgow, for the purpose of commencing a sho
tour in the Highlands Of Scotland AS W
ratified along Prince street, / had leisure to su
vey my fellow travellers. Immediately oppr
site 10 me sat two dandies OF the first orde
dressed in white great coats and Becher hanc
kerchiefs, and each with a cigar in his moutl
which they pulled away with marvellous CON
placpncy.
Beside me sat a modest and comcy youn
women IN widows dress, with an infant abor
nine months old in her arms The appearanc
of the youthful mourner and her ba be Indicate
that they belonged to the lower class of socie
iy; and although the dandies occasiona ly cas-
rude lance at the mother, the look Of caln
and settled sorrow which she invariably, at sucl
times, cast upon her child, seemed To toucl
even them, and 10 di 'arm their coarseness
On the other side Of the widow sat a young
gentlemen of plain yet prepossessing exterior
who seemed especially to attract the notice o
the dandes. His surlout was not absoutel,
threadbare, but it had evidently endured more
than Cne season, and could preceive many
contemptunus looks thrown upon it bv the gen.
tirnen IN Belcher handkerchiefs. The young
gentlemen carried small portmaneau in hls
hand-so small, indeed, that it could not posi-
d
This article also appeared to arrest the ewes OF
The sprgs of fashion opposite, whose wardrt IS
IN all probability, were more voluminous
whether they were paid for or not might be
another question.
The coach having stopped at the village OF
Corsiorpne, for the purpose of taking up an
inside Passenger, the guard observing that the
young gentlemen carried his porman eau in his
hand, asked leave to put it in his boot, to which
he Immediately consented.
Put it fairly into the centre, guard said
one of the da ndies.
why so, Tom" inquired his companion.
1t may clpszc the COACH relolned the first :
sally at which both INDUCED in burst of
laughter; but OF which the owner Of the port
msnteau, though the blood incurred SLIGHTLY
INTO his cheek. took no notice whatever
While we were changing horses at the little
town OF Uphall, an aged beggar approached
ana held out his hat Tor aims. The dandes
looked at HIM With srorn gave him few
half pence, and the young widow, poor as she
seemed, was about to do the same when the
young gentleman in the surtout laid his hand
gently on her arm and dropping a half crown
INTO the bcggar's hat, made sign for him to
depart. The dandies looked at each other.
Showing off. Jack SAID one.
Av, aye, successful at our last benefit. Won
hHb", ItlnHcu Illc OtllcT, ana Doth uUaln burSt
INTO coarse laugh
AT this alusion to his supposed prorrssion
the blood again mounted into the vOunp zen.
tlenan's check, but 1t was only for Il moment.
and l. C continued silent
We had not left Uphlll many miles behind
u.s. when the wind began to rise, and the oath
erlhg clouds indicated an approaching shower
he dhhdIes began to prepare their umbrellas
ana the young gentleman in the surtout sur
veylng the dress of the widow and percelyiup
tlllt she was hut lndltlcrentv provided arli,,sl
change of weather, inquired of the on lrd #
the coach was full inside. Being answered in
the aitlrmltlve, he addressed the muurner in a
one OF sympathy told her there was every ap-
pcarance OF smart shower; expressed his re-
gret that she could not be taken into the coach
and concluded by offering her the use of his
cloak.
1T VIII protect you so far said hc and. ai
all events. 1t will protect the bubv.'
The widow thanked him IN modest and res
pectul manner, and said that, for the sake of
the infant, she would be glad to have the cloak
1t he would not suffer for the W mt of il him.
self.
lie answered her that he should not. boinr
accustomed to all kinds of weather.
Ills surtout won't spoil, said one of the dan
dies, in voice of affected tenderness. sand he
sides my dear, the cloak will hold YOU bn,h.'
Inc young gentleman, turning quickly round
addressed the speaker III tone Of dignity
which ! shall never tnrpct:-
i am not naturally quarrcsome, sir but vet
It |. quite possible you may provoke me too
Both the exqulstes turned as plc as death
-sIrunk IN spite OF themselves into their natu-
ral inSgnfcance; and they scarcely opened
Their lips, even to each other, during the re. |
imlnder OF the journey.
I'm the meantime, the young ncntlem,n. with
the same pohtcncss and dehcacv as If he had I
been assisting "a lady of quality with her shawl,
proceeded to wrap the widow and her babv IN
ms cloak. He had hardly accomplished ihis. |
when smart shower Of RAIN, mingled with hail.
commenced. Being myself provided with
cloak, the cape OF which was sufficiently large
to envelope and protect my head, offered the .
Young gentlemen my umbrella, which he read
Ily accepted, but held it, as remarked in
manner better calculated to defend the widow
than himself
When we reached West Craig'S Inn, the
second stage from Edinburgh, the RAIN ceased.
ana tie young, gcntlem"n, politely returning
ht my umbrella, began to relieve the widow
"' MS gripping cloak, which he shook over the
side OF the coach, and afterwards h no it ON
the railing o dry. Then turning to the yonny
widow, he inquired if she would take any re-
frcshnen's' and upon her answering in the
negative, he proceeded to enter into conycrsa-
ton with her as folIowS:-
'Do :. on travel far on this road ma'am?'
About sixteen miles farther, sir leave
the coach about six miles ON the other side of
hirdrc'
DO your friends dwell hcrcabouts:' =
fathers house, '
TO your fathers =
~ Sir' saId the poor woman, raising her
i,anckerchIef ~ to her eyes, aud sobblng audlbly
o a,' 'ilurnlng TO hun discunsolatc widow,
"''Gr snort absence Of two years
Us your father in good circumstances
'lG VIII never suffer me ar my baby to want
r' ""'' ne has strength to labor for MS but
ne Is '',nselt IN poverty dly Iborcr on the
estate OF the Ear of H.
'"' mention o' lh,s nohelnan's name. the
yt re ;sA..2.Aln cJ.o,e a r.c. but It was