Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-03-23
THE SENATOR'S COAT.
How It Served a Colored Minister
 for Many Years.

When Senator Mersey reached home one evening late in the autumn he was met at the door by his wife. It was a fine old mansion, and the hall was broad and inviting. Mrs. Mersey was an ideal hostess, and her parlors were the center from which emanated the best moral and benevolent influences
 Senator Mersey had founded a col lege for colored people in the south, and had endowed or become a trustee of several other institutions. His name was a tower of benevolence. Mrs. Mcrsey was a true helpmeet Her charities were bestowed with such un- tiring zeal and cultivated wisdom that people came to her to be taught ho9o to help others.
 One day when some one told her a heart-wringing story about a poor woman she exclaimed, with tears in her eyes:
 ''Oh, give me her address! I would rather see that woman than the Queen of Sheba." And the best of it was, she not only meant whatsh said but did it
 "How fine you look!" she said that autumn evening twenty years ago, as she met her husband at the door. He laughed gently.
 ''Oh, do 1? Well, it is my old over- coat that deserves the compliment. I have had it pressed"
 "I am glad you have," replied the lady, flor have left place for it in the box that goes down south to-mor row. You will have to buy a new one."
 1t never occurred to the senator to differ from his wife in such matters or any matters at all; and the next day, when the box was nailed up, the sen- ator's overcoat was nailed up in 1t.
 That was, as have said, long ago, and thoughtfulness for the poor was sc common in that household that the senator and his wife forgot all about it.
 Now, am telling a true story, only changing names and places, so as to protect the modesty of two of Christ's servants, who are careful that their left hands do not tell their right hands of their noble deeds.
 Last year Mir. and Mrs. Senator Merscy visited the south. They stopped at little sunny town, and there met a colored minister, who, though poor, was in many respects far above the average of the colored people about him.
 His wife was a lovable woman-in telligent, thrifty and neat. She had beer q schoolmistress for several years, anC was a devoted mother, inspiring hel children with a strong desire for ar education. Indeed, so well had thi. worthy couple done in this respect that their oldest boy is professor of Greek in a colored college, and would be hon orcd as a citizen in any community.
 When these good people learned the names of their visitors they showed un expected emotion. On being ques toned, the minister's wife told the fol lowing story:
 About twenty years ago my hus band was sent as a delegate to th' Methodist convention. That was be fore you were sent to England to tn, conference.-the turned toward he husband with a proud smile. ''1 mus say his overcoat was quite shabby. l had been worn four years; had dont the best for it I could Before the, made him moderator Deacon Garvil came up to him.
 Brother Jaclxson,' sad he, .yo1 ought to have another overcoat.' "I have a good one on, that am sur, can't be Q stumbling block to the peo | pie of Zion | "'I dunno bout that said the dea con, feeling of the overcoat f. om colla to pockets. Now, can jes' fix you u 1 finely, Brother Jackson said he. 4 box has jes' come from Senator Mer sey, and in it is an overcoat that vii fit you like the rind on a persimmon and you can send your overcoat t some poor brother down on the narreI l gage.'
 ''So he brought out the overcoat, an my husband tried it on, and it fitte him finely. It was beautiful over coat And how long doyou suppose h wore that overcoat?"
 She turned triumphantly to Mrs Mersey.
 Three years, perhaps9" inquire the lady, feeling almost as if she wer insulting the family. "It was quit worn out, wasn't it, dear?" She aI pealed to her distinguished husband.
 "I don't think l recall the giving c the overcoat," he said, smoothing tn rim of his hat
 "You don't mean that?" The mini. ter's wife looked quite hurt. '.Why, was such n fine overcoati My husban wore it six years, and then, must say it began to look little shabby, didn it, Mir. JacksonY'
 Mir. Jackson nodded vigorously. "Then I set my wits to work, an found way out of the trouble. tol ) him would rip the seams and turn 1
 and put it together again. and then, {
 the material was so fine, 1t would be
 good as new.
 "But suppose you can't fat the pjec.
 together said he, then shalI} |
 without any coat '@<s~ts ~sSs..sfssS.
 "'You give me the coat andR RipI