Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-06-24
SeIett storp.
THE SHABBY HAT.

Now, John, You must give up this
time TO me, like dear boy. and get
yourself q nice thick ovcrcoat; | don't
mean YOU shall even wear that one again ;
it is really too bad, and so saying Mrs.
Flakewhitc took up from the table the
coat in question, which had been warm
friend 10 me for don't know how many
winters, and had been turned and repair
ed, till what with new Innings and buttons,
different collars and bindings TO the cuffs
very little of the original garment re-
manned and the general result was un-
mistakably shahby-aud hung it up in
the closet with very determined air in
deed, that plainly told ME her decision in
the case was final.
The fact of the matter was this; very
unexpectedly and oppor;uneIy, | had sold
one of my pictures at fair price, aud
having paid in lnll the arrears OF some
household accounts, there still remained
in our hands unexpcnded, the msgnif-
cent sum Of twenty five dollars, the best
use 10 make OF which We were arguing
and deciding upon, when the reader Is
introduc, 4 into our snug little sitting
room. Ten dollars of the amount we
both agreed should 60 into the savings
bank, while the remaining fifteen dollars
"A very considerable amount 10 an artist
with reputation yet to make, and the best
little wife in the world to support,
were free to use rs we pleased.
But, my dear" said !, "you know
YOU want new hat and warm winter
gloves, and good thick-soled shoes; 50
YOU get them now. and will promise to
buy a new coat when sell another pic
ture.
Mrs. Flakewhite quietly came over to
me and putting her arm around my neck,
held my face directly in front of her own
dimpled plump cheeks and bright eyes,
with a firm hold on my ear in her right
hand, giving il a pull at each word to be
quite sure was giving attention, and
said, in a coaxing tone aud manner, the
like of which never did sec in any other
woman-nevcr-"J John, when say
please, YOU always DO what wish-now
please buy yourself a new coat"
OF course promised to DO as she ask
ed l could not have refused under the
circumstances ii she had expressed wish
to have me purchase Central Park for a
summer residence, and build q rose and
honeysuckle-coyered cottage in the Ram
ble.' This important matter being bro't
TO a satisfactory conclusion, aud having
been talking about II long time we
went to bed.
Iawoke early next mornings the ham
mer OF our little eight-day clock in the
corner had just struck five hurried blows
on the twanging piece Of curlcd wire in
side its gothic porch, while the gorgeous
landscape painted on its glass window.
front, respleudent in the earliest mellow
LIGHT Of a summer sun, was the first OBJ
ject which greeted my sleepy eyes, and
consciousness again broke in upon my
short forgetfulness of trouble in Sleep
waking me 10 realize that it was time to
be up and doing-that every available in-
stant of daylight must be coined upon
nv pallct-cvery ray of sun light. so far
as lay within my power, be stamped up
on my canvass in some recognized form
of legal tender. the sum total to form
the basis of "sight draft upon the
public, that, if duly "honored' when
presented, would furnish my loving, un-
complaining, gentle. hard.toiling cheer
ful wife with such articles of nccessi-
ty as she required, add many little
luxury TO our simple needs aud fancies.
during the long stay of winter, who had
already heralded its coming by sending
on his rough night winds to moan among
the tree tops, to shake, huttering down,
the rustling brown leaves that seemed re-
luctant, even in death, TO quit the boughs
that bore them, and TO rudely sing and
frolic about our chimney tops impudently
blowing down pulls OF smoke into our
very face. as we sat near our LITTLE wood
fire, during the first chilly evenings OF
October, while Jack Frost"-winter's
own clown and jcster-was already at his
pranks jogging natures arm as she dain'i-
ly painted our window panes, thus caus'
ing the long slanting lines we see zig
tagging across them cold night, rouge
ing nose as well rs face OF old maid and
Young, nipping sharply AZ exposed fingers