The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-09-07
THE SHABBY HAT.

THE SHABBY HAT.
F'Now, John, you must give up this
time to me, like a dear boy, and get
yourself nice thick overcoat; ] don't
mean that you shall ever wear that one
again it is really too bad"-a and so
saying, Mrs. Flakewhite took up from
the table the coat in question, which.
had been q warm friend to me for /
don't know how many winters, and
had been turned and repaired, till what
with new Innings and buttons, different
collars and bindings to the cuffs, very
little of the original garment remained,
and the general result was unnistaka-
bly, shabby-and hing it up in the clo-
set with very determined air indeed,
that plainly told me her decision in the
case was final.
The fact of the matter was this =
Very unexpectedly and opportunely, !
had sold one Of my pictures at a fair
price, and having paid in full the ar
rears of some household accounts, there
still remained in our hands, unexpend-
ed, the magnificent sum of twenty five
dollars, the best use to make of which
we were arguing and deciding upon,
when the reader is introduced into oul
snug little sitting-rOom. Ten dollars
OF the amount we both agreed should
90 into the savings bank, while the re
naming fifteen dollars-a very consid
cradle amount to an artist with repu
tation yet to make, and the best LITTLE
wife in the world to support-wc were
f free to use as we pleased.
t "But, my DEAR said I, lyon know
! you want new hat and warm winte
/ gloves, and good thick-soled shoes; s,
you get them now, and | will promis
to buy new coot when / sell anQthe
picture.n
Mrs. Flakewhite quietly came owe
) to me, and putting her arm around m
neck, held my face directly in front c
her own dimpled plump checks an
{ bright eyes, with a firm hold of my ca
in her right hand, giving it pull 8
u each word to be.quite. sure | was givin
: attention, and said in coaxing tor
: and manner, the like of which heve
did see in any other Woman-never-
N John when | say please, you alway
= do what l wish-now please buy you
= self d new coat" t@ f;eH2a 'H' @'f'
$ Of course / promised to do as 81
he asked; | could not have refused und
)" the circumstances if she had exprcsst
a wish to have me purchase "Centr
= Park for asummer residence, and bui
On a rose and honeysucklerovered cotta
in the Ramble." This important ma
- ter being brought to a satisfactory co
clusion, and having been talking abo
it q long time, we went to bed.
] awoke early next morning; t
hammer of our little eight-day clock
8. the corner had just struck five hurri
blows on the twanging piece of curl
wire inside of it's gothic porch, VIII
the gorgeous landscape painted on
glass window-front, resplendant in
= earliest mellow light of a summer 81
was the first object which greeted ]
]R sleepy eyes, and consciousness ag'
broke in upon my short forgetfuln
nj of trouble in sleep, waking me to re
ize that it was time to be up and dol
Ns that every available instant Of d;
= light must be coined upon my pale
every ray of sunlight, so far as
within my power, be stamped upon
s canvass in some recognized form or
ne gal tender, the sum total to form
basis of ''sight draft upon the pl
lie, that, if duly ''honored" when z
No sented, would furnish my loving,
'oN complaining, gentle, hard toll
-. cheerful wife with such articles of.
cessity as she required, and add IA:
a little luxury to our simple needs ;
., fancies, during the long stay of win
who had already heralded its com
KS by senhing on his rough night wind