The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1884-09-24
be late for church, before he was heard

WITHOUT u
"I tell you it's on one of them pegs
in our closet, said Mrs. Bingle. "Tu
go myself It's dark, and he can't see
but it's there, for put it there myself.
"No," said Mr.. Bingle, calling after
her, its in the spare chamber closet.
l put it there"
She was heard stepping briskly from
one room to another, then back, and
then back again. Then downstairs,
when she stood before them in silence,
on her face black CONSERVATION, and on
her arm-the old overcoat
When did you put it there2"
81 d'know. The day after it came, I
guess. The old one always hung there,
so took it down and hung the new one
there"
Mrs. Bingle sank into chair. rs
It's gone"
"Gone to Parson Graves" The boys
stared, open mouthed, unable first to
take in the great calamity.
But you can get it again, " at length
said jim. hopefully"
"Of coursel" said Sam. "You can
tell Parson Graves it was all mistake,
and it was the old coat you meant for
him. and of course he'll change back"
But the farmer shook his head rue
fully.
"No, that won't do. It's done, and
it can't be undone, he said with groan.
Don't one of you ever let on about It's
being a mistake"
The family and the old coat were late
at church, thus missing the sight of the
entrance of the new coat, but it lay over
one arm of the sofa in the pulpit And
Farmer Bingle meyer could recall word
of that service through which he sat try
ing to bring himself into some friendly
recognition of the fact that he had pre-
sented his minister with forty-fve dol
lar overcoat. which he could not hope to
have count at anything near its full value
on his yearly assessment, for who ever
heard of country parson having such a
coat2"
"Jingsl Don't he look fine, though, {"
calculated Sam, as Mr.. Graves came down
the aisle.
"And don't Mrs. Graves look set up q"
said Jim.
Enough to make any woman hang on
to piece of cloth like that, said Mrs.
Bingle.
Mr.. Bingle was unhitching his horse
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 fine lookin fellow
our parson is, anyhow! Where on earth
lid he get that coat ~
"Must had fortune left him"
Mr.. Bingle could not help feeling
that the coat had been well bestowed, as
its weaIer came to meet him with out
stretched hands and few quiet,
though very earnest words of acknowl-
edgement of his gift. The coat had
fitted the farmer well, but there was
something more than the mere fill
ing out of good cloth in the minister's
dignifed bearing; and in the scholarly
face above it, something which stirred
up feeling in many members of the con-
gregation that this servant of the Lord
had not hitherto been clothed in a fashion
worthy of his high office.
"That's shabby old hat to wear with
, it, said one of the village storekeepers.
"Ill see about that before another sun
! day comes round"
As Mr.. Bingle felt the grasp of the
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 so
much credit for an act which he never
would have thought of performing. For
an honest, and really warm nature lay
underneath the crust of parsimonious
selfshness which had hardened over his
heart, as it has, alas over so many which
might overflow with deeds of kindness
. to bless those who have given not grudg-
ingly, but their whole selves to the
masters service.
} 81 feel like liar, yes, l dol" said Mr..
Bingle to his wife, with an energy which
G started her, as they rode home. "To
/ have that man shakin' me by the hand,
G and tallIin' about my generosity, and hls
D wife's eyes beamin' up at me, and me not
able to right and tell 'em Pm grudgin',
e tight-tisted old tell you what "-he
gave his horses such vigorous cut with
{ the whip that Jim and Sam, on back
4 less seat of the bob-sleigh, nearly went
4 over backward into the snow" I've got
: to get even with myself somehow, but
S don't know just how yet"
o 1t was astonishing what a commotion
f Farmer Bingles gift created in the
parish. Not one eye had failed to mark
e the justice done by Mr.. Graves goodly
e figure to goodly garment, and with
Il an awakening pride at the possession OF
such fine-lookiHg pastor came a desire
t to see him thoroughly well equipped.
X This desire found expression at the
4 parsonage as had never before been
4, dreamed of. Cheap goods and cast
e offs were ignored in the generous
S supply of winter comforts which
each giver made sure should be in
/ keeping with the new overcoat; and the
e wives and mothers had seen to it that
2 Mrs. Graves and her children should
/ look fit to walk beside that tailor-made
r up piece OF cloth.
e Mr. Bingle had smiled with light
e in his eyes, which came up from some
c where under that broken crust, at the
! .nt Of f,1rc ,uhinh his wife cnrried IL