The evening call. [volume] (Topeka, Kan.) 1891-1893, 1893-06-27
SENATOR'S OVERCOAT.

When Senator MerSey reached HON
one evening late in the autumn, h
was met at the door by his wife. ]
was fine old mansion, and the hal
was broad and inviting. Mrs Merse
was an ideal hostess, and her parlor
were the center from which emanate'
the best moral and benevolent intiu
enceS.
Senator Mersey had founded col
lege for the colOred people in tn,
South, and had endowed or become {
trustee of several other institutions
His name was tower of benevolence
Mrs. MerseV was a true helpmeet
Her charities were bestowed with
such untiring zeal and cultivated
wisdom that people came to her to be
taught how to help others.
One day, when some one told her a
heartwrfnging story about a poor wo-
man, she exclaimed with tears in her
eyes:
ooh, give me her address,! would
rather see that woman than the Queen
Of Sheba." And the best of it was,
she not only meant what she 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 l? Well, it is my old over
h. II
l have had it pressed"
i am glad you have" replied the
lady, 'for | have left place for it in
the box that goes down South to-
morrow. You will have to buy 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
Senator'S OvercOat was nailed up in it.
That was, as | have said, long ago,
and thoughtlulness for the poor was
SO 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
CnrlSts servants who are careful
that their left hands do not tell their
right hands of their noble deeds.
Last year Mr.. and Mrs. Senator
MerseY 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 lOvabIe woman-in- |
telligent, thrifty and neat, She had
been a schoolmistress for few years,
and was devoted mother, inspiring
her children with strong desire tor |
an education. Indeed, so we'll had |
this worthy couple done in this re-
spect that their oldest boy is pro-
teSsOr of Greek in a cOlored college.
and would be honOred as citizen in
any community.
When these good people learned
the names of their visitors they
showed unexpected emotion. On be-
ing questioned, the Minister'S wife
told the following story:
''ADout twenty years ago nv hu,-
band was sent as a delegate to the
Convention. That was
before you were sent to England to
jhe conference.-the turned toward
1er husband with a proud smile. Il
must say his overcoat was quite
shabby. 1t had been worn four wears:
had done the best for it | could.
Before they made him Moderator,
Deacon Garvin came up to him.
" Brother Jackson, said he, you
ought to have another overcoat.'
~ have good one on. that I'm
ure can't be stumbling block to the
people of Zion
:" Il dunno bout that said the
Deacon, feeling of the overcoat from
ollar to pockets Now | can les
TX you up finely, Brother Jackson
aid he. = box has Jes' come from
senator MerSey, and in it is an over
oat that will tit you like the rind on
perSimmon, and you can send your
vercoat TO some poor brother down
n the narrer-gage. |
so he brought out the Cvercoat.
nd my husband tried it on. and it {
tied him finely. 1t was beautiful
vercoat We don't have such ma
erial here in the South. And how
0ng do you suppose he wore that !
vercoat?"
She turned triumphantly to Mrs ,
Jersey.
Three years, perhaps:" inquired :
he lady, feeling almost as if she {
'ere insulting the family. 1T was
ute worn out, was { it dear" She '
ppealed TO her distinguished hus- '
and. {
II don't think ] recall the giving
the overcoat," he said, smoothing :
ne rim OF his hat
You don't mean that?n The
minister's wife looked hurt "Why,
was such fine overcoat. Ny hus-
and wore ii six years; and then 1