Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1881-07-28
TIE MINISTER'S OLD COAT

out badly" said to the gentlemen whs
sst next 70 me in the car. We bad met
in the train, bound for Chicago, and had
struck up an acquaintance. He stopped
me with his hand On my arm, aud with
an earnest look which shall never fog
get. paused at once in what i was
saying, and it seemed for moment al
most IS Il the rushing train had stopped
60 listen, too:
"Let me tell you story," e said
ST know il is common belief that min
listers sons are wild, but that is because
people talk sEont the bad cnes, while
those who turn cut vel! are ts'aen as
matter of course. : gathessd statistics
about them once, and found thet ont OF
!. 1000 sons of ministers there we're very
few who did not grow up useful and IN
tdustrious men,"
"But what is your story?" asked.
"Wrell," said he, "it begins with
Class supper II Boston a dozen years
ago. A number Of old college friends
l,sd gathered in the evening for their
annual reunion. Among them was the
rich merchant. J. f Williston-perhsps
YOU have heard OF him-and poor pas
tor of country church in Elmbank VII
laee. ont in Western Massachusetts,
7hose name wes Blake. A good many
.of the class had died, and the dozen or
so elderly men vino were left felt more
tender thar ever toward each other as
they thought Of the bright old days at
Harvard. and how soon no one would DO
left oo earth who shared in that happy
time. The dishes came and went, the
lights owed brilliantly, snd at last the
sriends grew quite gay. But the tender
feeling + have spoken OF wctlld come mp
pernost, now and then; and in one of
shese moments Williston's eye WAS at
tracted By something glisteuing on the
coat which his fr:end Blake, who set
pext 10 him, had or. He looked closer.
and saw that she black cloth OF which the
coat was 1asde had been worn SO th,n
that it was veryshiny.
"'Well, Blake, said ne, suddenly,
sieking hold Of his friends arm cordially
...vhiuh ne somehow hadn't thought Of
.lSing beiore}, how has the world gone
with YOU lstely?'
"Blake he'd a naturally sad and
.ihougbtsul face, but be looked around
yaickly with warm smile.
No need to ask, he said. laughing.
'You csn read the whole story on my
back. This old coat is sorto1 balance
shset, which shows my financial con-
6ition 70 T.
"Then he spoke more seriously. add
ing: 'Is @a pretty herd life, Willis
ton, that OF country parscn- don't
complain Of my lot, though sometimes
I'm distressed for my family. The fact
Is, this coat I've got Oh is hardly tit for
e man in my profession to appear in'
but I'm going 70 send my boy Som TO
Harvard this year, and must pinch here
and there to do it. ] really ought TO be
tha ...ul, though, tbpt I cen get such
advantages for,hiln By 0 Few little sacr1-
:ases of personal eppeezaDce and conSen-
ienre.'
ss~Dont you give thought to your
coat, old fellow, returned Williston.
,NobaaJ Who knows you will ever
imagine .hat the heart inside Of 1t is
thre,dbare, however the garment may
look
Blake was pleased with this kindly
esxuression. and both men afte- that ex-
change Of confidence felt happier. But,
ar,ong the various incidents Of thr
evening, this one almost passed out OF
the minister's mind by the next day,
when he started for Emoank. Speedy
as his return was, however, something
meant tor hIrI too got 70 hIS dessta;'-
tion before him. IT wae 2 letter. Tex
ing it ND, he broke open the envelope,
and found few words from Wilistoo
viii: &. check for $500, 70 defray ths
first wears college eapans<.s ct his oh
classmates sol.
"You ete stranger 10 me, sir, " sa'd
my srsecline companion at this point.
"bus L think you viii appreciate che
feeling with vtdch poor afr. Blake
stood in hia na-e sDd dingy study IL the
old form palsonase. holding that letter
IN his hand, end li4r;rg his fearful e.ves
in tbankfulness to God"
eyes" I replied. "Wilhstan did just
sas right thing. too And how vas it?
Did the son SHOW that he deserved tho
help4"
Ny ysosuaiutsnoe looked evay from ne
,:st ths zeb eoRatzy through which We