Maryland free press., 1867-01-03
THE DANDIEs RGBUKED; or THE
OLD SURTOUT.


OLD SURTOUT.
I had taken place on the top Of one
the coaches, which runs between Edin-
burg and Glasgow, for the purpose of COM
mencing short tour in the Highlands of
Scotland. AS we ratified along Princess
street, I had leisure to survey my fellow
travellers. Immediately opposite to me
sat two dandies of the first order, dressed
in white great coats and Belcher hand
kerchiefs, and each with cigar in his
mouth, which he putf"d away with mar
vellous complacency. Besi.e me sat mod
est and homcly young woman in widow 8
dress, with an infant alb ut nine months
old in her.arms. The appearance of this
youthful mourncr and her baby indicated
that they belonged to the lower class Of
society; and though the dandies occasion
ally cast rude glance at the mother, the
look of calm and settled sorrow which she
invariably at such times cast upon her
child seemed to touch even them, and to
disarm their coarscncss. On the other
side of the widow sat a young gentlcmaa
of plain, yet prepossessing exterior, who
seemed especially to attract the notice Of
the dandies. His surtout was not abso-
lutely threadbare, but it had evidently en-
dured more than one season, and I could
perceive many contemptuous looks thrown
upon it by the gentlemen in the Belcher
handkerchicfs. The young gentleman car
ried small portmanteau in his hand-so
small, indeed, that it scould not possibly
have contained more than change of
linen. This article also appeared to
arrest the eyes of the sprigs of fashion op-
posite, whose wardrobes, in all probabili-
ty, were more voluminous; whether they
were paid for 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 obser-
we'd that the young gentleman carried his
port" antcau in his hand, asked leave to
put it into the boot, to which he imme-
diately assented.- Put it fairly into the
centre, guard" said one of the dandies.
"Wby SO, Tom?" inquired his compan-
ion. "It may capsizc the COACH" rcjoin-
cd the first, sally at which they both
indulged in burst of laughter: but of
which the owner of the portmantea,
though the blood mounted slightly into
his cheek took no notice whatever.
While we were changing horses at the
little village of Uphall, an aged beggar
approached, and held out his hat for aims
The dan dies looked at him with scorn.
1 gave him few half-pence; and the
young widow, poor as she seemed, was
about TO do the same, when the yosng
gentleman in the surtout laid his hand
gently on her arm, and dropping half.
crown into the bcggar's hat, made a
sign for him to depart. The dandies
looked at each other. Showing of,
Jack" said the one. cay, ay, success
full at our last benefit, you know" return
ed the other, and both again. burst into a
horse laugh. At this allusion to his sup
posed profession, the blood again noun
ted into the young gentleman's cheek, but
it was only for moment, and he contin-
ued silent. ..,.-. ... -...
We had notl left Uphall many miles
behind us, when the iads began to rise,
and the gathering clouds indicated an ap-
proaching shower. The dandies began to
prepare their umbrellas; and the young
gentleman in the surtout, surveying the
dress ofthe widow, and pcrceiving that
she was but indiTcrently provided against
a change of weather, inquired of the guard
if the coach was full inside. Being an
swered 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; and con-
cluded by Offering her tho use of his cloak
'1t will protect you so far" said he "and
at all events, it will protect the baby"
The widow thanked him in modest and
respectful manner, and said that, for the
sake Of the infant, she should be glad TO
have the cloak. if he would not suffer
from the want of it himself lie assured
her that he should not, being accustomed
to all kinds of weather. Ills surtout