Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-02-17
THE STORY or AN OLD COAT.
Hn Ten Episodes.


Hn Ten Episodes.
l.
OF course there was a time when the coat
was new. We shall go further back even
than that, and speak of period when it had
no existence ere even the idea took posses
sion of the narrow brain of stingy old James
Gesworthy to invest five pounds of his be-
loved money in warm garment, of excel
lent quality, wherewth to protect his lean
carcass from the chills of December. 1t was
December in Cribble Street, Mile End, Lon
don, E., as well as in Curzon Street. May
fair w. Around the mansions of the
wealthy and refined. the cruel, snow-la1eu
blast howled in impotent fury, because il
could not shake the massive doors or make
the heavy, tightly fitting windows rattle.
| When it discovered stray chink and con
trived to sneak through insdiously, thick
curtains barred its way, rich carpets checked
it, blazing fires warmed it, an equal temper.
ature absorbed it, The bitter herald of a
bard winter had to content itself with scream
ing vcously outside: "pm here, and
won't 90 away. I'll not leave you for months
for months. I'll bring bronchitis, and in
Aamuiation, and death to some of you yet,
You shan't escape me, with all your tricks.
Whoof Puff
Then the wealty aud refined smiled conf
IDENTIFY in their comfortable apartments.
They were prepared for the siege.
Far otherwise was it with the poor and vul-
gar. They shrank and shivercd at the fear
full menace for they knew it was no idle
threat The wind fend is their savage enc.
my. He rejoices at their defenceless condi.
tion, their miserable dwellings their meagre
food, their scauty fuel, their insufficient cloth.
ing. He comes to kill be tells them so, as
he whistles through their chattering teeth.
Aud he never Jokes.
The two rows of rickety tenements known
as Cribble Street Mile End, we're let out to
the poor and vulgar, in suites, generally com.
prising one room and cupboard for each
family, irrespective of size. At No ~, a
certain back -chamber-without a cupboard
was occupied by man, a wife, and very
wee morsel of humanity. The man was
young-only three -snd-twenty. His name
was Mark Roper. The woman was also
young some nineteen years, perhaps-and
she was called Pattie The wee morsel was
still younger being but three days old, and
having no name yet decided upon. But they
thought of calling her Pattie also-at least
Mark did.
Mark Ropers misfortunes may be summed
up with terrible simplicity. He was out OF
work, and had been so for the past six
II
had no hand in originating and with which
be totally disagreed. During that time, the
neat little cottage at Stratford had been given
up; the furniture had disappeared bit by bit,
the pawnshop had swallowed up their blank
cts and counterpanes and warm clothing.
At present, the room in CrIbble Street.
whittier they had fled as the cheapest refuge
upon earth, except the workhouse, contained
only two chairs, table, some articles of
crockery, and q mattress on the floor, upon
which the young wife lay with her first born
folded lovingly in her arms. The parish
doctor had attended her; the parish dispen-
sary had provided medicine; the parish over
seer had allowed little oatmeal aud little
port wine-quite as favor-to help to get
up her strength. So she ought to have been
grateful poor thing! Well, and 80 she was
grateful TO God that her husband loved her,
and that her child lived.
MARX can't eat any more now. Fin
ish up this basin of cruel for me while it's
hot. Do, dear" she said, coaxingly.
Not l. l can't abide it-I hate it," he
replied, trying to look nauseated by the very
idea.
She raised herself upon one elbow. 'You
have had nothing but a saveloy all day,
Mark; and if you don't swallow this, I'll not
taste another drop you make for me-there ~
but, dear, don't like it,"
LISA story. You do. You shall. Finish
it at once, or you'll make me ill talking about
it. Go on now"
He took a few spoonfuls, and pretended to
drain the basin; but his wife was too sharp
eyed. She watched him closely, and never
relaxed her vigilance until the whole was con-
sumed.
'Now I'm satisfied" she said, sinking
back upon the bolster. "Where is uncle
laftarr What fima did ha ba xpnn1d
come? Six o'clock, wasn't it?"
''Yes, dear"
'Its nearly that now-don't you think so
Uncle will do something for us. I'm sure he
will, when he sees baby Look at her. Isn't
she an angel? Such large brown eyes, Just
like yours She's the image of you, Mark u
Your uncle may help you, but not me, -
returned Mark, gloomily.
HE can't help me without you, love
that's one comfort"
"Hel try it on, though. 1 know he'll try
it on, muttered Mark, as he walked to the
stove and placed four small knobs of coal,
with great care, between the bars. But Pat
tie did not catch the words, because she was
listening to a footstep on the landing outside.
Then the door was opened abruptly, and her
uncle, James Gelsworthy, walked into the
room.
"Phewl Here's pigstyl Hope you are
satisfied, girl?" was the old mans greeting to
his niece.
1T wasn't pigsty took her to first, "
broke in Mark, with flash of indignation.
"You shut up, Mark Roper You're a
fool, and you'll never be anything else" said
Gelsworthy, waving him away contemptuous-
"You married Pattie in spite of me. You
ran away with her, and thought you were
mighty clever, no doubt. But you shan't
have much of my money-yOu shan't."
"Uncle dear unelel" exclaimed Pattie,
''you must help us-you really must, if only
for baby's sake. See what beauty she isl
She smiles at you already"
ooh! yes. She's all right. don't mind
her, nor l don't mind you; and I'll act
straight by the pair of you, if you do what
want"
"what is thatP"
"Why, look here, Pattie. You must just
bring your kid, and come back TO live with
me, like you use dto, before you took up with
that penniless scamp against my will"
"And what is he to dop"
IDOL Work-emigrate-g to Australy-
go to Canadyl Anywhere, so long as he
keeps out of our way. don't mind stump
ing up the coin to pack him off"
you want-to-s separate me and -
Mark 2" she inquired, very slowly, fixing her
eyes sternly upon his face.
''Jes So" said the old rascal unabashed by
the glance that's it. He can't keep you,
and can. If he likes to hook it, I'll help
him to keep hisself not otherwise"
MARX !" cried Pattie, sitting bolt up
right upon the mattress, as a burning flush
mounted to her thin cheeks, and her tremb-
ling finger pointed to the door-''Mark |
Turn that man out /"
''You ungrateful, disobedient huEsyl" cried
GelsWorthy in q uassion t'After all Tiva