The Brookhaven leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1883-1891, 1884-03-13
MR.. CRAMTEXT'S NEW COAT.

1t 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.
'The Reverend Mr.. Cramtext, / pre-
sumo, said melancholy y looking youth,
raising very high hat, swathed in a
deep weed.
bowed assentingly.
MAY have the favor of few words
with you?' he ask d. pensively.
| was about to request him to say
them at once, and, besides, TO make
them as few as possible; for, though
DOrcaS is a model m nister's wife the
ad ,ectiye, if it be one, is meant for the
wife, and not the M nister-she has her
housewfely vanitieS as well as another,
and they're quite as easily wounded,
too so | knew, if wanted the morning
coffee sweetened with her smile, l
mustn't spoil it by keeping it waiting.
But the young man $ manner was ex-
ceedingly sad, and his heart seemed too
over-burdened TO be unloaded in q mo-
ment; hence, at the risk of Dorcas' s
displeasure, l invited him into the
study.
"What can | do for you, my young
friend?" inquired, inviting him first
to be seated.
Depositing a neatly folded parcel on
the floor, he took out his handkerchief
and applied it to his eyes. For some
seconds his frame shook with emot on.
Then wiping his eyes hard, he recovered
himself with an effort.
''My poor father" he began.
RAgain the handkerchief went up and
the voice went down.
Calm yourself" SAID, soothingly,
q ding the customary text in relation to
"our light Affections, which are but for
moment"
My poor father" he resumed, SEEM
ingiy little comforted, 'died a week
ago. His labors in the vineyard"
"Was he in the wine business?" | in
terrupted, my Temperance principles
taking the alarm.
''He was a clergyman" replied the
youth, r9proachfully, "whose labors had
so exhausted his health that his physi-
clan declared the only hope lay in a
travelling, with me as his compan on,
when suddenly he grew so much worse
that we were forced to stop, and in a
brief space death put a period to use
full and blameless life, and deprived an
unhappy son of the best of fathers.
"Ihe money we had with us little
more than suthced to paw the medical
bills and funeral charges; and l am
now thus far on my way to carry TO my
bereaved mother the sad tidings of our
mutual loss, without the means of pro-
ceeding further.
Il have not come to solicit charity" a."
he fastened to add. 'I have in this
parcel el'-opening it, and unfolding a
new broadcloth coat OF ministerial regu-
lation cut San article belonging to
my late father which | would gladly
dispose of even at sacrifice; and it be-
ing suitable only for a clergyman VEN
ture to offer it to you."
| happened to be in need of such a
piece of apparel. Dorcas had been
hint.ng for some time that my pastoral
usefulness would be decidedly enhanced
by better coat, and by close pinching
we had saved up nearly enough to sup
ply the want.
Had | been in atfluc mt circu T stances.
l should have cheerfully 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 ac-
z cede to his proposal and purchase the
proaered garment, provided the terms
and fit suited. -
Calling up Dorcas, / explained the
case. The coat was tried on. 1t fitted
beautifully in front. The straitest OF
OF our sect, could find no fault with the
straightness of the cut, and the single
ille of bombazine buttons, marshaled in
close order down the right breast, looked
avery phalanx OF orthc doxy. Dorcas
pronounced the rear view equally per-
iect. All it needed-was little taking
IN at the left armpit, which any COM
4 petent person could do in ten minutes;
and Deacon Dorrity, whose secular vo-
cation was that of tailor calling in
Just then, fully corro' Grated Dorcas.
Z How much was the price, was the
next question. t
81 think father never wore it more
than once" said the young man
though it may have been twice. I'll
call it twice, to be on the safe side. II
cost twenty-five dollars; but, of course,
having been worn some, there should
be reduction"
de hesitated. 1t was apparent he
feared to name price lest it should be
100 much. 1t was gratifying to witness
such scrupulous adherence to rectitude
under the sore temptation of want.
DO you think twenty dollars would
oe fain2" said. coming to his relief.
1T is more than should have dared
10 ask," he replied; 'sbut If you think i
right, shall be reioiced to accept it,