Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-04-14
The Ministers Old Coat.

The Minister'S Old Coat.
Minister'S sons are very apt to turn
out badly said 10 the gentleman tha'
sat next 10 me in the car. We had met
| in the train bound for Chi cago, and had
struck up an acquaintance.
He stopped me with his hand on my
arm and with an earnest look which l
shall never forget. 1 paused at once in
what 1 was saying, and 1t seemed ior q
moment almost as lfthe rushing train
,sd stopped TO listen, too.
Let me tell you story he said
I know it Is a common belief that
minister's sons are wild, but this is be-
cause people talk about the bad ones,
while those who turn out we'll are taken
as a matter OF course. L gathered sta
tistics about them once. and found that
out of a thousand sons of ministers,
there were very few who did not grow
up to useful and industrious men,
But what is your story" l asked,
settling back in my seat.
'Well,' said he, : it begins with a
class.supper in Boston, dozen years
ago. A number of old college friends
had gathered in the evening for their
annual reunion. Among them was
rich merchant, J. E. Willlston-perhaps
YOU have heard Of him--and a poor
pastor of o country church in Elmbank
village, out in Western MASSACHUSETTS,
whose name was Blake. A good many
of the class had died, and dozen or so
elderly men who were left felt more
tendOrly than eyer toward each other
as they thought of the bright old days
at Harvard, and how soon no one
would be left on earth who shared IN
that happy time.
The dishes came and went, the
lights glowed brilliantly, and at last
the friends grew quite gray. But the
tender feeling 1 have spoken OF would
come uppermost, now and then; and
in one of these musing moments Willis
toms eyes were attracted by something
glistenlng about the coat which bis
friend Blake, who sat next to him, bad
on,
He looked closer, and saw that the
black cloth Of which the coat was made
had been worn so thin and smooth that
it was very shiny.
well, Blake said he, suddenly,
taking hold Of his friends arm cordially
(which somehow he hadn't thought OF
doing before) how has The world gone
| with you lately?'
Blake had a naturally sad and
thoughtful face but he looked around
quickly, with a warm smile.
No need 20 ask he said, laughing
Ily. You can read the whole story on
nv back. The old coat is sort OF bal
ance sheet, which shows my financial
condition to T.
Then he spoke more seriously, add
inc. sIt is q hard life. Williston, that oil
country parson. I don't complain OF
my lot, though sometimes Pm distress
ed for my family. The fact is, this
coa, I've got on is hardly fit for man
Of my profession 10 appear in 4; but I'm
going to send my boy Sam to Harvard
this year, and must pinch here and
there to do it. really ought be thank
full, though, that can get such advan-
tages for him by few little sacrifices oi
personal appearance
Don't you give thought to your
coat, old fellow returned Williston'
Nobody who knows you will ever
imagine that the heart inside OF 1t is
threadbare. however the garment may
look
Blake was pleased with this kindly
expression and both men, after that
exchange of confidence, ielt happier
But, among the various incidents OF the
evening, this one almost passed out ol
the minister's mind by the next. day,
when he started for Elmbank.
| Speedy az his return was, however,
something meant for him had got to bis
destination befoIe him. Itwas letter
Taking it up, he broke open the enve'
Hope, and found inside few words from
lWnliston, with a check for $500 to de-
fray the first years. college expenses O
his old classmates son.
You are a stranger to me, Sir, sale
nv travelling companion, at this polut
but | think you will appreciate the
feeling with which poor MIR. Blake stoo(
lin his bare and dingy study in the ole
farm parsonage, holding that letter II
| his hand, and lifting his faithful eyes IL
Ithankfulness TO God.'
yes replied. Williston dl'
: lust the right thing, too. And how wa
lit?-Did his son show that he deserYe'
the help?
Ny acquaintance looked away iron
me at the rich country through whicl
: we were passing. Then he said:
Il Sam Blake was q good-natured
7 obedient fellow enough, and was great
! ly pleased to have the expense Of hi
. | 6rst college year taken of his father
shoulders but his sense Of duty didn'
20 far. The Roy. Mr.. Blake bought
r new coat. and Sam entered Harvar
that fall: and here matters stopped 10