The Democratic advocate., 1883-09-01
THE STORY OF AN OLD COAT.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.

Der OF tnem were assembled In an unuer-
ground back kitchen discussing the good
and bad luck of the day. They separated
themselves into little groups of twos and
threes, and established temporary partners
on the basis of uniting their pilferings and
"going whacks' in the profit.
Presently the door opened, a man with
a deliberately cunning expression of face,
and having stumpy horsewhip in his
hand entered the room.
"Well, my lads and lasses, how are you
all getting along ?" he said. II was just
driving round this way, so thought I'd
give you look in. Got anything in my
line to day ?" He walked round and rap
idly inspecting the various little piles of
articles presided over by the respective
''irms"
"You're a-picking," grumbled one lean
and tattered chevalier d'industrie "and it
amt fair"
81 allus pick, and pays extry for it-yer
know 1 do replied the dealer. II ony
wants boots and clothes nothing else ain't
no good to me, as at gift.
Having selected sundry odds and ends,
and having paid for them, after considera-
BILE haggling, out of big bag of silver and
copper, he stuffed his purchases pell-mell
into canvas sack and carried them off,
At the top of the street he mounted a
clumsy cart, drawn by melancholy pony
in decline. A drive of about an hour
and half took him to the other end of
London, where his destination was dingy
shop with the announcement, Marine
Stores -Wardrobes bought and sold.''
With the assistance Of his cold woman
and 1.-TWO gals" the contents of the canvas
sacks were re-examined and appraised.
Among other things, it contained the coat
that Shortmiles had lost a few hours
before.
Some days later, stout and comfortable
looking old gentleman, with benevolent
blue eyes and an amiable double chin,
stepped cheerfully into the ''Stores, follow
ed by thin man, whose more than shabby
exterior and general appearance OF extreme
depression proclaimed that he was very
hard down on his luck.
"Have you got such thing as a strong
warm topcoat p inquired the stout gentle
man.
"a topcoat ?" said the dealer, suspicious
ly. "What sort of coat do you mean !?
Do you mean to buy one, hey?'
"Of course [ do. Do you think | shall
ask you to make me present of one? [
want coat that will fit this man here
Anything that's warm and tidy will suit.
"Oh, VERY well; then [ think [ can
show you just the harticle you'll like )" and
the wary dealer, feeling he was safe, pro-
duced the garment whose adventures it is
our business to trace.
In the end, the stout gentleman paid for
it, and the thin man wore it, an arrange
ment which was mutually satisfactory.
"Now, Reeves" observed the former, as
they quilted the shop, "you said you could
get good job at once if you only had your
tools out of pledge and coat to cover you.
Here is the money for the tools-ffteen
shiflings Take them. And may God
prosper you, my man; may God prosper
you!'
Two big tears coursed slowly down the
rough cheeks of the mechanic, as he grasped
for moment the extended hand of his
benefactor E'I'll never forget this, sir
neyerw he murmured, in broken voice.
at ain t for the likes of me to ask your
name and who you are; nor yet to offer to
pay you back when better times come to
meas they will now. But you've saved
me from worse than death this night, sir.
Believe me, l never raised my finger to
take what didn't belong to me afore. 1t
was only want and desperation that ever
gave the devil chance to put it in my
head. l shall get work now, thanks to you;
and I'll be an honest man still, as | always
have been"
eyes, yes; of course you will, said the
old gentleman, nodding his head in friendly
assent, while his kind, mild blue eyes glis-
tened MOSTLY under the gas lamp. "And
look here, Reeves; if ever you get better
off. and come across a poor man in want of
a little help, you help him, Reeves, dye
see-you help him.
The blessing which the good Samaritan
| invoked upon the man he had saved from
disgrace and misery came down upon him.
Reeves prospered. Bit by bit his cottage
grew into cosey home, that he loved more
and more every day; his children became
plump and rosy checked, and his wife
bright-eyed and happy. But in all this
newborn prosperity the grateful mechanic
never forgot his true friends parting in
| junction, to be tender to others in distress.
1t will only be necessary to mention one
occasion upon which he succeeded in imi-
tating very closely the sublime example of
magnanimous charity that had been his
own salvation.
Reeves was returning from work. 1t
was rather late; and what few people were
about were hurrying out of the binding
sIeet and piercing blast as fast as their legs
could carry them, and that was at no re-
markable speed, on account of the atmos-
pheric opposition they encountered. At
one moment the wind suddenly increased
to the fury of hurricane, and compelled
Reeves to seek temporary shelter in
friendly doorway He was not alone there.
Some one else had adopted the principle Of
'any port in storm" 1t was man
gaunt, hollow-cheeked, ill-clad, shivering
and miserable
"What fearful night, amt it?' OBJ
served Reeves, in gentle voice.
'S'pose it is; don't care; it's all the
same to me-" returned the man hoarsely.
II don't want to be rude" continued
Reeves, in the same tones of sympathy,
''but you seem to be hard up. I've been
in the same case myself, and | can pity
you. I'm only workingman, and [ know
what hard times mean"
''It amt that alone what's the matter
with me, mate; although you're right, so
far. 1t would puzzle anybody to be wuss
off than 1 am just now. But it's sorrer
that's a-killing me, more than want. I'm
a-dying, mate, that's what am. -
"Come, come, don't talk like that; you'll
feel better after a good supper and COM
Portable nights rest And I've got a bob