The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1881-02-10
Tho Mini.t.r. Old Coat.

up sr acquaintance. lie stopped ~ siil
bis hand on mr. arm. snd With an earnest
look which ] shall never forget ! paused
q. once in shat Was saying. and Il seem
cd for q momen, almos, as II the rushing
train had stopped 10 listen too.
Let ms tel you story he said.
know IL is . common belief that minis
ier's sons are Wild. bu. that is becsuse
people talk about ,he bad ones. while
those who turn out well are taken rs .
matter Of course. gathered statistics
about them once, and found that out OF
|, 900 sons Of ministers there we're few who
did not grow up useful and industrious
men.
But what is your story9 asked, set.
tling back in my seat.
Well, said he. il begins with class sup
per in Boston dozen years ago. A num-
Der OF college friends had gathered IN the
evening for their annual reunion. Among
them was the rich merchant, J Il. Willis
ton--perhaps you have heard OF him and
poor pastor Of country church in Elm.
bank village. ont in Western hsssachu-
sets, whose name WAS Blake. A good
many OF the class had died, and the dozen
or so elderly men who were left felt more
tender than ever toward each other A.
they thought OF the bright old days at Har-
ward. and how soon no one would be left
on earth who shared in that happy
time. The dishes came aud went, the
lights gloved brilliantly and at last tho
friends grew quite gay. But the tender
feeling have spoken OF would come up
permost now and then; and in one OF those
musng moment Williston's eye was at
tracted by something glistening about the
coat whioh his friend Blake. who sat next
to him, had on. He looked closer. and
saw that the black cloth OF which it was
made had been worn 80 thin and smooth |
that it WAS very shiny.
Well, Blake. said he, suddenly taking
hold OF his friends arm cordially (which
he somehow hadn't thought OF doing be-
fore), how has the world gone with you
lately?
Blake had naturally sad and thought
Tul face; but be looked around quickly
with warm smile.
No need to ask, he said, laughingly.
You can read the whole story on my back.
This old coat is a sort Of balance sheet.
which shows my financial condition to
T.
Then he spoke more seriously, adding:
I is pretty hard life, williston, that Of
country parson. ] don't complain ofmy
OF, though sometimes Tn distressed for
ny family. The fact is, this coat that
nave on is hardly fit for man Of my pro-
cssion to appear in, but I'm going to send
ny boy Sam to Harvard this year, and
must pinch here and there to do it.
really ought to be thankful, though, that
can get such advantages for him by
lew little sacrifices Of personal appearance
md convenience.
Don't you give thought OF your coat,
Did fellow, returned Williston. Nobody
who knows you will ever imagine that the
heart inside Of it is threadbare, however
.he garment may look.
Blake was pleased with this kindly e1-
oression and both men after that exchange
If confidence felt happier But among the
,arious incidents OF the evening this ono
almost passed out of the minister's mind
,y the next day when he started for Elm
,ank. Speedy as his return Was, however,
meant for him lad got to his
destination before him. II was letter.
Taking it mp he broke open the envelope
md found inside few words from Willis
on with check for $500 to deiray the
irst years college expense Of his class
mates son.
You arc stranger 10 me, sir, said my
raveling companion At this point, but
hnk you will appreciate the feeling with
which poor Mr.. Blalo stood in his bare
nd dingy study in the old farm psrson-
ge, holding that letter in his hand and
ifting his faithful eyes in thsnkfulncss to
iod.
Yes, replied. williston did Just the
light thing, too And how was it2 Did
he son show that he deserved the help'
Ny acquaintance looked away from me ,
{ the rich country through which we
,ere passing. Then he said: Sam Blake
Tas a good natured. obcdient fellow I
nough, and was greatly pleased TO have 3
he expense Of his hrst college year taken {
G his father. shoulders; but his sense OF {
uty didn't go very far. The Rev. Mr..
lake bought new coat; and Sam entered {
harvard that fall; and there matters stood ,
" a while q
A freshman has q great deal to learn, as
on know; but think the chief thing
am learned that torn was the great dif- I
renee there is between Harvard and a 9
tile village like Elmbank, and the great !
if'icnlty OF working and playing at the a
.me time. Here he had society meetings
attend, aod rooms OF bis own, with a '
hum, where great deal OF smoking was
ono by himself aud his friends. And Z
zen there was base ball, into which It APP
cared Indispensable for the honor Of the .
ASS that be should enter actively. on sc-
,unt OF his strong legs. wonderful wind ,
ID ground batting he Gould not refuse 4
20 10 the theatre occasionally with his
cher compAniens Sam took natural
ltere.i in the society Of young ladies, too, 4
I'd had to give up some time to its cult. q
.tion. He also thought that a moderate
Il