The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-07-18
THE OLD BROWN CLOAK


"You don't tell mer said the farmer,
who was the softest hearted of mea.
Here give me your basket Philenal IL say
I'm an old fool; but don't care.
With trepidation not unlike the sen
sation OF schoolboy who robs an orchard
for the first time, he went into the but
terry and helped himself TO half cold
roast fowl a loaf of rye bread, a goodly
wedge of yellow butter out of a covered
stone jar. and three quarters of a jnicy
apple pie. And then he opened Mrs FoxS
gloves especial tea caddy and tilched q
handful of the fragrant dried leaves,
which he wrapped up in brown paper
and put beside the other viands. And
CHANGING to notice how thin and inade-
ouate the old woman's shawl was, he
recklessly took down an old bombaZine
cloak, originally u bright brown, but now
faded in as many streaks as II zebro hide,
which had hung from time immcmorlal in
the back entry.
There amt no more use in that old
dud," he thought. And it'll! keep the
cold out; and if Seraphilcna makes fuss
I'll give her new blanket shawl"
Mrs. Waterman went off rejoicing.
Presently Mrs Foxglovc and Scraphina
came home from the weekly meeting of
the Society for the Helpers of the llcath>
en- in Jubilant spirits,
George Paterson WAS there said Mrs
Foxglove. "lIe said he came after his
aunt but it was my belief that he wanted
to walk home with Seraphina."
Seraphina hung down her head and
said nothing
ola, mel" said Mrs FoXglove from the
kitchen. What has things come to?
Here's the cold chicken and the apple pie
gone! And the cover of the butter jar,
too
Yves" said the farmer, coughing,
IL got sort o hungry, So ! thought d
Just take a smack"
where's the bombazne cloak, spa?'
said Seraphina. after the somewhat frugal
supper, ns she took the milking pail
"It's raining little, and the cows haven I
come home from pasture yet.
IF had pair of eyes Id use them.
said Mrs. Foxglove, coming SO the rescue
and viewing the row Of empty pegs with
AN eagle glance. well declare! Nehe,
miah," turning to her husband, that
comes Of leaving you to keep house. You
must have gone and left the door open
and some tramp has got in and robbed
us
81 did just step out to the woodpilt
for some more logs" said the farmer
thankful for the avenue of escape tina
was opened TO him. But | wasn't gone
long"
The farmer wriggled uneasily in hi
cushioned rocking chair
Il wish old Mrs. Waterman had beer
in Jericho before she came here" he saiC
10 himself
Meanwhile pretty Seraphina, singin!
softly to herself, folded an old striped
shawl around her taper shoulders ant
went out to the pasture after the truan
company of cows.
Old Tulips bell was iingling among tn
silver stemmed birches on the black hill
they were already on the homeward path
but Seraphins loitered unnecessarily on tn
footbridge that spanned the brawlin!
brook.
All was still at dusk; a certain frost,
sweetness was in the autumn air, and th
only visible person was a woman farthe
down the brook, who was dipping GU
p water.
Suddenly there was another step
strong, swift and full of purpose. Sera
phinss eyes frightened; vivid colo
rose into her cheeks"
There he comes noww she murmured
There comes GEORGE
To her surprise and dismay, however
the cavalier did not come up the hill, bu
stayed his steps beside the other woma
below.
''He is throwing his arms around he
neck, thought the indignant Seraphina
HE is-yes, he is actually kissing her
Are men absolutely without truth AM
faithfulness in this age of the world? Blu
don't care! Why should l care? In
sure it don't matter to me"
Seraphina hurried the cows home, ant
finished the milking in less time than
had ever taken her before. She was jus
carrying in the fOaming pail when tai
figure approached.
''Seraphina."
pray don't trouble yourself to speal
to me, sir" said Seraphina, with toss o
the head. ''Or if you do, please call M
Miss Foxglove?
And Seraphina vanished through til
kitchen door.
whats the matter, Phiny7" said he
mother, Noticing the girls quick move
ments and heightened color.
Nothing, ma, said Seraphina.
1t was getting toward 8 o'clock whe
there came a knock at the door Mrs
Foxglove opened it. There stood the w
dow Waterman.
Il hope I'm not intruding," said Mr.
Waterman, "but here's the brown bon
bazine cloak, Mr.. Foxglove, and, hunt
ly thanking you all same. Id rather NJ
wear it :"
''Eb'' said Mr. Foxglove in amaze
ment.
at was very kind Of you to give it /
me" went on Mrs. Waterman to the uttt
discontinue of the poor farmer, 'bl
there's some things as human flesh an
blood can't bear and to have Decon Pu
laby's son asking if he could not see II
home when / came out of the store, an
Mr.. Ferdinand Pluff saying was to be
the dance at Melinda Edwards on Tues
day night, and might he call for me at
o'clock-well, it's rather upsetting. Bt
the worst Of it all was when went to @,
little water ut the brook, young fel
fow seized hold Of me and was going
kiss me. / believe it's the brown cloa
as done it all, with meaning glance
Seraphina Foxglove. $50 if you woul
please to-take it back III try and get alon
with my old shawl spell longer. An
the roast chicken was very good, sir, an
tapple pie couldn't be beat
-e was moments direful silenc
Mrs. Waterman sided out
betook herself once more
fence of the night
said Mrs. Foxglov,
I" said Seraphin,
ha, and crying.
Int IS hands.
Il thin. he,
And he VT. unninr o,
for pitcher OF thing b,
fore shutting the he nigh