The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-04-16
on to a piece of cloth like that" said Mre.

on to piece of cloth like that" said Mre.
Bingle.
Mr.. Bingle was unhitching his horses
as Mr.. Graves came out of the church
door, and did not at first raise his eyes as
he listened to the remarks passing around.
"Bless me What fne.lookin' fell
low our parson is, anyhow Where on
earth did he get that coat ?"
"Must have had fortune left him."
Mr.. Bingle could not help feeling
that the coat had been well bestowed, as
its wearer came to meet him with out
stretched hands and few quiet, though
very earnest words of acknowledgment
of his gift. The coat had fitted the farmer
well, but there was something more than
the mere filling out of good cloth in the
minister's dignified bearing; and in the
scholarly face which appeared above it,
something which stirred up feeling in
many members of the congregation that
this servant of the Lord had not hitherto
been clothed in fashion worthy of his
high Office.
"Thst's shabby old hat TO wear with
it," said one of the village store-keepers.
"I'll see about that before another Sun.
day comes round"
As Mr.. Bingle felt the grasp of his
pastors hand, he began almost to be glad
he had given the coat and then, as the
fact Of his having given it was whispered
about, to feel ashamed of receiving 30
much credit for an act which he never
would have thought of performing. For
an honest, and really warm nature, lay
under the crust of parsimonious selfish
ness which had hardened over his heart,
as it has, alas over 30 many which might
overflow with deeds of kindness to bless
those who have given not grudgingly, but
their whole selves to the Masters service.
al feel like liar, yes do ~ said Mr..
Bingle to his wife, with an energy which
startled her, as they rode home. "To have
that man shakin' me by the hand, and
talkin' about my generosity, and his wife's
eyes beamin' up at me, and me not able to
right out and tell 'em I'm a grudgin',
tight-fsted old tell you what l'-he
gave his horses such vigorous cut with
the whip that Jim and Sam, on back
less seat of the bob.sleigh, nearly went
over backwards into the snow I've got
to get even with myself somehow, but l
don't know just how yet"
1t was astonishing what commotion
Farmer Bingle's gift created in the par.
ish. Not one eye had failed to mark the
justice done by Mr.. Graves goodly figure to
the goodly garment, and with an awaken.
ing pride at the possession of such a fine.
looking pastor came a desire to see him
thoroughly we'll equipped. This desire
found expression in such visitation at
the parsonage as had never before been
dreamed of. Cheap goods and castoffs
were ignored in the generous supply OF
winter comforts which each giver made
sure should be in keeping with the new
overcoat; and the wives and mothers had
seen to it that Mrs. Graves and the chill
dren should look fit to walk beside that
tailor-made-up piece of cloth.
Mr.. Bingle had smiled with light in
his eyes, which came up from somewhere
under that broken crust, at the set of furs
which his wife carried to Mrs. Graves
that night. But in the early gray of the
wintry morning after, he, with Sans
help, quietly unloaded in the back yar6
of the parsonage frkin of butter, the
same of lard, and six barrels of apples
packed for market.
GA good forty.fve dollars worth if I't
carted it half mile further" he said te
his wife, with face which shone, as he sal
down to breakfast.
And not soul heard u.s." said Sam
rubbing his hands in great glee. "Wish'
could see 'em when they find it out"
"Now I'm event. said the farmer
"And Pm blamed if it wasn't the bes
days work ever did when l give away
that coat by ke."-Sydney Dayre.