Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-02-14
THE OLD SURTOUT.

coaches which run between
gov, for the purpose of commencing snort 'out
in the Hiohlands Of Scotland. As we ratified along
Prince Street 1 had leisure to survey my 1eLio"
travellers Immediately opposite 10 me sa' IVY
dand;es of the first order, dressed IN White great
coats and Belcher handkerchefs, and each with = a
cigar in his mouth, which they Puneo away WIN
marvellous complacency.
Reside me sat a modest and comely young wo-
man in a widows dress, with an infant about nine
months old in her arms The appearance OF the
vouthful mourner and her babe Indicated that they
belonged to the lower class of society and although
;he dandles occasionally cast rude glance at the
mother the look of calm and settled sorrow whlch
she invariably at such times cast upon her cnlic'
seemed to touch even them, and to dlsarm their
coarseness.
On the other side of the widow sat a young
gentleman of plain and progressing EXTERIOR VINO
seemed especially to attract the notlce OF the un
dies His surtout was not absolutely threadoare
but it had evidently endured more than one se;'Sot
and l could perceive many eontemptuous looHs
thrown upon it by the gentlemen IN becner mana,
kerchiefs The young gentleman carried sln"!l
,,ortmantaan in his hand-so small indeed, that it
could not possibly have contained more than
change of linen This article also appeared to ar
rest the eyes of the sprigs of fashion opposite
whose wardrobes, in all probability, were more
yoluminous; shcther they were paid for or not
might be another question.
The coach having stopped at the village OF
Corstosphine, for the purpose OF taxing an Inside
passenger the guard observing that the young gen,
tleman carried his portmanteau in his hard, asked
leave +, mt il in his boot to which he Immediate
" consented.
Put it fairly in the centre, guard" said one of
the dandies.
"Why SO, Tom J" inquired his companion.
1T may capsize the COACH" rejoined the first,
sally at which both INDUCED in burst OF laugh
ter; but of which the owner of the portmanteau,
though the blood mounted slightly into his cheek,
took no notice whatever.
While We were changing horses at the little town
of Upha, an aged beggar approached and held
ont his hat for aims. The dandies looked at HIM
with scorn. l gave him a few half-pence, and the
younp widow poor as she seemed, was about to do
the same, when the young gentleman In the sur
tout laid his hand gently on her arm, and dropped
ahalf crown into the beggars hat and made sign
for him to depart. The dandies looked at each
other.
"Showing off, Jack" says one.
CAV, ave, successful at our last benefit You know"
reoined the other and both again burst into horse
laugh.
At this allusion to his supposed profession, the
blood again mounted into the young gentleman's
cheek, but it only for moment, and he contin-
ued silent.
We had not left Uph.ll many miles behind us,
WnSH the WIN W IlScs anu S'tluSIluS
clouds, indicated an approaching shower. The
dandies began to prepare their umbrellas and the
Young gentleman in the surtout, surveying the
dress Of the widow, pereeiving that she was but
indifferenty provided against change OF weather,
inquired of the guard if he coach was full inside.
Being answered in the affirmative, he addressed
the mourner in a tone OF sympathy told her there
was every appearance of smart shower expressed
his regret that she could not be taken into the coach
nj JoJh - barf Of oI,,aE
at will protect you so far" said he, land at all
events it will protect the baby"
The widow thanked him in a modest and re-
spectul 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 to all kinds of weather
His surtout won't spoil" said one of the dan
dies, in tone Of affected tenderness, land besides,
my dear, the cloak will hold You both"
The young gentleman, turning quickly round,
addressed the speaker in tone of dignity which
shall never forget.
81 am not naturally quarrcl>ome, sir; but vet it
is quite possible YOU may provoke me too far"
Both the exquisites turned pale as death
shrunk in spite Of themselves into their natural in
significance; and they scarcely opened their lips,
even to each other during the remainder of the
journey.
In the meantime. the Young gentleman, with the
same polteness and delicacv as if he had been as
listing lady of quality with her shawl, proceeded
10 wrap the widow and her baby in his cloak lie
had hardly accomplished this, when smart shower
Of rain, mingled with hail, commenced. Being my
self provided with cloak, the cape of which was
sufficiently large to envelope and protect my head,
l offered the young gentleman my umbrella, which
he readily accepted but held it, as remarked, in
a manner better calculated to defend the widow
than himself
When we reached West Crags Inn the second
stage from Edinburgh, the rain ceased, and the
young gentleman, politely returning me my UNI
brella, began to relieve the young widow of his
dripping cloak, which lie shook over the side of
the coach, and afterwards hung it on the railing
Then turning to the young widow, he inquired if
she would take any rcfrcshment, and upon her an
swering in the negative he proceeded to enter into
conversation with her, as follows
DO you travel far on this road, madame"
about sixteen miles further, sir. I leave the
coach about six miles the other side of Airdre'
do your friends dwell hereabouts?"
"Yes, sir, they do. l am on the way to my ia
Tiers house,
ITO your father's!"
Yes, sir" said the poor woman, raising her
handkerchief to her eyes, and sobbing audibly; 81
am returning to him disconsolate widow, after a
short absence of two years."
is your father in good circumstances 2"
He will never suffer me or my baby to want,
cir, while he has strength to labor for us but he
is himself in Poverty-a day laborer on the estate
Al. y