Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1852-01-29
THE OLD SURTOUT,

~ "6 Aiice sueetj nad leisure to survey
my fellow travellers, Immediately opposite me
sat two dandies of 1he first order. dressed in
white great coats and Belcher handkerchiefs.
and each with cigar in his mouth which thew
pulled away with marvellous complaoency.
Beside me sat modest and comely younO
sssR2z y widows dress, with an infant in her
arms. The appearance OF the youthful MOURN
er and her babe indicated that they belonged to
the lower class OF society; and although the
handles occasionally cast rude glance at the
mother, the look Of calm and settled sorrow
which she invariably, at such times cast upon
her child, seemed 10 touch even them, and to
disarm their coarseness.
On the other side of the widow sat a Young
gentleman Of plain yet prepossessing exterior,
who seemed especially to attract the notice of
the dandies. His surtout was not absolutely
threadbare but it had evidently endured more
than one season, and could perceive many
contemptuous looks thrown upon it by the gen.
tlemen in Belcher handkerchiefs. The young
gentleman carried small portmanteau in his
hand-so small, indeed, that it could not possi-
bly, have contained more than a change of linen.
This article also appeared to arrest the eyes of
the sprigs of fashion opposite, whose wardrobes,
in all probability, were more vouminous; wheth-
er they ever paid for it or not, might be another
question.
The coach having stopped at the village of
Corstorphine, for the purpose of taking up an
inside passenger, the guard observed that the
young gentleman carried his portmanteau 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 dandies.
'Why so, Tom ?? enquired his companion.
{ 1t may capsiZe the COACH reioined the first
sally at which both indulged in a burst Of
laughter; but of which the owner of the port
manteau, though the blood mounted slightly in
to his check, took no notice whatever.
While we were changing horses at the town
of Uphal, an aged beggar approached and held
out his hat for aims. the dandieS looked at HIM
with scorn. gave him few half pence, and
the young widow, poor as she seemed, was a.
bout to do the same, when the young gentleman
in the surtout laid his hand gently on her arm,
and dropped half crown into the beggar's hat,
and made sign for him to depart The dandies
looked at each other.
Showing off, Jack said one.
AYE, aye, successful at our last benefit, you
know re Joined the other, and both again burst
into hoarse laugh.
At this allusion to his supposed profession,
the blood again mounted into the gentleman's
check, but It was only for moment, and he
continued silent.
We had not left Uphal many miles behind us,
when the wind began to rise, and the gathering
clouds indicated an approaching shower. The
dandies began to prepare their umbrellas; and
the Young gentleman in the surtout, surveying
the dress Of the young widow, and perceivlng
that she was indiifcrently provided for against
the weather, enquired Of the guard if the coach
was full inside. Being answered in the aitirma-
tive, he addressed the mourner in tone OF SYM
pathy told her there was every appearance oil
a smart shower: expressed his regret that she
could not be taken into the coach and concluded
by Offering her the use of his cloak.
1T will protect you SO far said he, and, at
eli events, it will protect the baby
The widow thanked him in modest, respectful
manner, and said that, for the sake of the infant
she would be glad to have the cloak, If he would
not suffer for the want Of it himself.
He answered her that he should not, being ac-
customed 10 all kinds of weather.
His surtout won't spoil, said one of the dam
dies, in voice Of effective tenderness, and be-
sides, my DEAR the cloak will hold you BOTH
The Young gentleman turned quickly around,
end addressed the speaker in tone oil dignity
which shall never forget;
Il am not naturally quarresome, sir, but yet
it 10 quite possible you may provoke me too Iar'
Both the exquisites turned as pale as death
aArunk in spite Of them into their natural insig-
ai6csRce and they scarcely opened their lips
even to each other, during the remainder OF the
Journey. Il, ,,.;a
fhe same polHeness and delicacy as il he haC
been assisting lady of quality with her shawl
proceeded to wrap the widow and her baby II
the cloak. He had hardly accomplished this
when a smart shower Of rain, mingled with han
commenced Being myself provided with
cloak, the cape of which was sufficiently larg
to envelop and protect my head, | offered tn tn
Young gentleman my umbrella, which he readli
accented, but held it, as l remarked, IN man
ner better calculated to defend the widow tina
himself.
ss,..1 ss--. Grom Edinburgh, the rain ceased, an
the vonS0 gentleman politely my iiiI
brelIa. began 10 relieve the widow of his drlI
ming cloak, which he shook over the slde OF u
coach, and afterwards hung il on the railing
dry. Then turning TO the young widow, ne II
ouired if she would take any refreshments al
upon her answering in the negative, he procee'
ed 10 enter into conversation with her, as 10
lows ~ o. q,
0sDo YOU travel far on this road, me,am
About sixteen miles farther, sir. leave u
coach about SIX miles on the other side oil al
drie.' o,
,Do your friends dwell thereabouts? p d
o.Yes, sir, they do. am on my way to
fSaher's house.
TO your father'sP'
sYes sir said the poor women, raising b
handkerchief to her eyes, and sobbing audb
m ann returning 20 him desolate widow, pfI
abort absence OF two years.
,Is your father in good circumstances p
a. ,vul never suffer me- or NV habv 10 p,a