The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-03-11
THE STORY OF AN OLD COAT.
In Ten Episodes.

was new. we snail go Iurtner Uack even tnail
that, and speak of period when ii had no eX-
istence-ere even the idea took possession
of the narrow brain Of stingy old James Gels
worthy to invest five pounds OF his beloved
money in warm garment of excellent quality,
wherewith to protect his lean carcass from the
chills of December. 1t was December in Crib
BILE Street, Mile End, London, e., as well as in
CurZon Street, Mayfair, w. Around the man
sions of the wealthy and refined, the cruel,
snow-laden blast howled in impotcnt fury, be-
cause 1t 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 insidiously, thick cur
tains barred its way, rich carpets checked it,
blazing fires warmed II, an equable temperature
absorbed it. The bitter herald of hard winter
had to content itself with screaming viciously
outside: "I'm here, and won't go away. III
not leave you for months-for months. PHI
bring bronchitis, and inflammation, and
death to some of you yet. You Shan't es-
cape me, with all your tricks. Whoof! Puff "
Then the wealthy and 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 shivered at the fearful
menace, for they knew it was no idle threat.
The wind-fend is their savage enemy. He re-
joices at their defenceless condition, tnelr mis-
cradle dwellings, their meagre food, their
scanty fuel, their insufficient clothing. He
through their chattering teeth. And he never
jokes.
The two rows of rckety tenements known
Cribble Street, Mile End, were let out to the
poor and vulgar, in suites, generally compris-
ing one room and cupboard for each family,
irrespective of size. At No. ~, a certain back
chamber-without a cupboard-was occupied
by man, wife and a very wee morsel of hui
manlty. The man was young-ony three-and
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 sofor the past six months,
in consequence of a strike which he had no
hand il originating, and with which he totally
disagreed. During that time, the neat little
cottage at Stratford had been given up: the
furniture had disappeared bit by bit, the pawn
shop had swallowed up their blankets and
counterpanes and warm clothing. At present,
the room in Cribble Street, whittier they had
fed as the cheapest refuge upon earth, except
the workhouse, contained only two chairs, a
table, some articles of crockery, and 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
overseer had allowed little oatmeal and
little port wine-quite as favor-to help to
get up her strength. So she ought to have
been grateful, poor thing! Well, and so she
was-grateful to God that her husband loved
her, and that her child lived.
MARX / can't eat any more now. Finish
up this basin of cruel for me while it's hot.
Do, dear" she said, coaxingly.
Not |. | can't abide i'll hate 1t ~ 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 an
other drop you make for me-there!n
But, dear, don't like it.'
Its story. You do. You shall. Finish
IT at once, or you'll make me i'll talking about
it. 60 on now"
drain the BASIN but his wife was too sharp
eyed. She watched him closely and never re-
Taxed her vigilance until the whole was con-
sumed.
"Now Pm satisfied she said, sinking back
upon the bolster. "Where is uncle's letter!
O'Clock, wasn't it.''
Yes, dear"
= It's nearly that now-don't you think so!
Uncle will do something for us. Pm sure he
VIII, when he sees baby. Look at her. Isn't
she an angel! Suchlarge brown eyes, just like
M.
Your uncle may help you, but not me-"
returned Mark, gloomily.
"Hecan't help me without you, love-that's
one comfort"
Hell try it on, though. l know he'll try
1t on" muttered Mark, as he walked to the
stove and placed four small knobs of coal.
with great care, between the bars. But Patte
did not catch the words, because she was lis
tening to a footstep on the landing outside.
linen the door was opened abruptly, and her
uncle, james Gelsworthy, walked into the
room.
"Phewl Here's a pigsty! Hope YOU'RE
satisfied, girl!' was the old mans greeting to
his niece
1T wasn't pigsty i took her to first"
broke in Mark, with flash of Indignation.
you shut up, Mark Roper. You're fool,
and you'll never be anything else" said Gels
worthy. worthy, waving him away, contemptuously.
lyon 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 shaut."
Uncle! dearuncle !" exclaimed Pattie, ''you
must help us-you really must, if only for
DaDys sake. See what beauty she is She
smiles at you already"
~! yes. She's all right. don't mind her,
nor don't mind you; and III act straight by
the pair of you, il you do what want"
What is thatln
"Why, look here, Pattie. Youmust Just bring
you used to- before you took up with that pen
niless scamp against my will.n
And what is he to dog
DO! Work-emigrate-g to Australy-go
TO Canady Anywhere, so long as he keeps out
OF our way. don't mind stamping up the coin
TO pack him off,
You want-to-separate- Mark 2"
she Inquired, very slowly, fixing hereyes 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
Mark" cried Patte, sitting bolt upright
upon the mattress, as burning flush mounted
TO her thin cheeks and her trembling finger
pointed to the door-"Mark! Turn that man
outl'
''You ungrateful, disobedient hussy!'' cried
Gelsworthy, in a passion. "After all I've
done for you! Brought you up from a child,
fed and clothed you, beggar's brat that you
That was the last they ever saw of Uncle
Gelsworthy, alive.
suppose it was the keen northeaster and
the driving sleet, in the teeth OF which James
Gelsworthy had to fight his way home that even