Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-06-27
STORY OF AN OLD COAT
ADreadful and Yet Blessed Thing
to Happen.

''What in the world is that queer
looking old thing hanging out IN the
yard?" asked Ned.
The dining-room in which the Ware
family were seated at breakfast com.
manded view of a little, green
sodded back yard, which on this
morning presented a striking appear
ance. Carrot and closets had been
'cmptied of their contents, and every
thing in the way Of woolens, clothing.
or bedding, new or old, good, bad, or
Indifferent, brought out by thrifty
hands to take bath of the streaming
sunshine.
(Which queer-looking thing do you
mean?" asked his sister Pearl. THE
whole yard looks like zy-quilt,
I'm sure.''
Like q crazy quilt struck by light
ming, I should s,5r' said Ned. But
I mean that old .'sat with the streaks
and spots all oyer it,
THAT old coatp'' His father looked
out. "Bless my heart. Aunt Mar
garet. is that my Washington coat?'
, Yes, my dear, indeed it isl
Il thought it had gone the way of
all coats many year ago-if. indeed.
! thought of it at all. All. Aunt Mar.
:garet, to think of your setting me to
play George Washing ton!'
''You did it we'll. my DEAR" said
the sweet-faced little old lady, with an
affectionat ate smile ut the handsome mid
dle-aged man which told that she still
regarded him as her boy
. Ned had run out, and now came in
wearing the coat, the long collar and
the buttons of which were cover ed
with faded yellow satin, while the
skirts were ornamented with reverse
of the same.
you don't look as your father did
in it," said Aunt Margaret, eying him
critically.
''Oh, of course not" said Ned, put
ting on an abused air. Nobody ever
looks like father: When you and fa-
1her begin to hold session of your
admiration society no one else has
chance"
But" said Pearl. curiously exam-
lining tho old coat. do tell us about
lit. Who wore it? If Ned hadn't such
"a green look himself he would look as
If he had stepped out of an old pic:-
ure''
go on. 60 on!'' said Ned. HAS
any one any moro complime ntary re-
marks to make about mep''
Il wore it," said his father, "but I
was not the only one. more the pity.
Dear me. Aunt Margaret! how it
brings the old time back! Do you re-
member your good old father that
night?'
"What dreadful thing to happen!
But what blessing"' said Aunt Mar
garet. with laugh and a shake of
the head.
IA dreadful thing and blessing"
exclaimed Pearl DO some body 90
on and tell. Is it your story or
fathers. Aunt Margaret"
both, think" said her father.
.''The coat in its present shape first
saw the light when / was a sub-fresh-
man in college-let me see, twenty
three years ago-living with Aunt
Margaret and her father. the old doc
tor.' we boys called him. How we
all loved the good old man! He was
really no relative of mine. for Aunt
Margaret, you know, was only nv
mothers half-sister; but no one could
'be kinder thar he was to me. He had
had a professorship in the college for
many year, but in those times was
getting very old, and his duties had
been assumed by one of the younger
professors. but SO gradually that it
had taken him good while to realize
that he was receiving salary with
out performing much duty. Then all