Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-05-28
MIR. CRAMTEXT's NEW COAT.


MIR. CRAMTEXT'S NEW COAT.
II was the second ring of the door
bell. Ellen, the "help," was busy get
ting breakfast. to which Mrs. Cramtext
had gone down TO give the finishing
touches, So putting aside my book, |
went down to the door in person.
1.-The Reverend Mr.. CramteXt, pre-
sume,' said melancholy looking youth,
raising a very high hat, swathed in a
deep weed.
bowed assentingly.
MAY | have the favor of a few words
with you?" he asked, pensively.
was about to- request him to say
them at once, and, besides, 10 make
them as few as possible; for, though
Dorcas Is model minister's wife the
adjective, il it be one, is meant for the
wife, and not the minister-she has her
housewfely yanities as well as another,
and they're quite as easily wounded,
too so | knew, if wanted the morning
coffee sweetened with her smile, /
mustn't spoil il by keeping il waiting.
But the young mans manner was ex-
ceedingly sad, and his heart seemed too
over-burdened to be unloaded in a mo-
ment; hence, ut the risk of Dorcas's
displeasure, I invited him into the
study.
What can do for you, my young
frendP" l inquired, inviting him first
10 be seated.
Depositing neatly folded parcel on
the floor, he took out his handkerchief
and applied IL TO his eyes. For some
seconds his frame shook with emotion.
Then wiping his eyes hard, he recovered
himself with an effort
"My poor father he began.
Again the handkerchief went up and
the voice went down.
Calm yourself" SAID, soothingly,
adding the customary text i'm relation to
"our light Affections, which are but for
a moment"
My poor father" he resumed, SEEM
ngly n little comforted, "died "a week
ago. His labors in the vineyard"
WAS he in the wine businessP' | in
terrupted, my Temperance principles
taking the alarm.
He was clergyman, replied the
youth, reproachfully, "whose labors had
so exhausted his health that his physi-
clan declared the only hope lay in a
change of air, to obtain which he was
travelling, with me as his companion,
when suddenly he grew so much worse
that we were fore ii TO stop, and in a
brief space death put period to n use
| full and blameless life, and deprived an
unhappy son of the best of fathers.
"lhc money we had with us little
more than sufliced TO pay the medical
bills and funeral charges; and | am
now thus far on my way to carry TO my
bereaved mother the sad tdings of our
mutual loss, without the means of pro-
ceeding further.
IL have not come To solicit charity
he fastened to add. II have in this
parcel it, and unfolding a
new broadcloth coat of ministerial regu-
lation cut ian article belonging 10
my late father which l would gladly
dispose of even at sacrifice; and il be-
ing suitable only for clergyman / ven
ture to offer it TO YOU
happened TO be in need of such q
piece of apparel. Dorcas had been
limiting for some time that my pastoral
usefulness would be decidedly enhanced
by better coat, and by close pinchine
we had saved up nearly enough to sup
ply the want.
Had been in aillucnt circumstances
| should have checrfully relieved the
needs of deceased brother clergy
mans son gratuitously. But not being
in condition To warrant such liber
ality, the best could do would be to nc
cedc to his proposal and purchase tn,
proflered garment, provided the term.
and fit suited.
Calling up Dorcas, I explained tn,
a.... 4 IA
beautifully in front. The straitest o
of our sect, could find no fault with tn,
straightfess of the cut, and the singl,
file OF bombazine buttons, marshaled il
close order down the right breast, looked
very phalanx of orthodoxy. Dorca
pronounced the rear view equally per
feet. All il needed was little "takin,
in" at the left armpit, which any com
petent person could do in ten minutes
and Deacon Dorrity, whose secular yo
cation was that of tailor calling il
Just then, fully corrotorated Dorcas.
How much was the price, was tn
next question.
IL think father never wore il NOR
than once" said the young man
"though it may have been twice. II
call it twice, TO be on the safe side.
cost twenty-five dollars; but, of course
having been worn some, there shoul,
be reduction"
He hesitated. IL was apparent h
feared to name price lest it should
too much. II was gratifying TO witnes
such scrupulous adherence to rectitud
under the sore temptation of want.
''Do you think twenty dollars woul
be fairP'' / said, coming to his relief.
ut is more than / should have dare
I TO ask" he replied; "but If you think
j right, shall be rejoiced to accept It.
On these terms the transaction We
concluded TO our mutual satisfaction
The sorrowjng son was provided wit
means to continue his dutiful journe,
and / had q coat, as good rs new
some saving of cost.
- Ellen rang the breakfast bell, an
y Dorcas joined me in pressing the stral
ger and the deacon TO join Us at the Il
bic, but both declined on the grouu
that they had already breakfasted. Ar
a after much warm Misunderstanding and
V cordial exchange Of blessings the form
wcnt.his way.
had been honorcd shortly befo
with an invitation TO participate In
protracted meeting TO be held about
. hundred miles away, under the au
ID pices of an old college classmate. Al
now that | had decent coat TO n
back Dorcas insisted on my going. 81
possessed good deal of wifely ami
ton, and had set her heart on my spec,
rise in the church to which she SEEM
TO think tho only thing requisite was
more widely diffuscd knowledge of n
gifts.
=. OF course Dorcas had her way, nj