St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-05-20

ne cannot stop. He may not ceasel
what carcth he for winl or tide.
aeafs not battle; seeks not peace;
nus conscience 10 . faithful guide
<or port he steers, Towards home he steerna
Eager Is he for prou, scd rest:
ne 0nds II, after hopes and fears
Lake bird OF Paradise its nest
-Hev. J. l. Burrows. in n. Y. Observer.
THE SENATOR'S COAT.
How It Served a Colored Minister
TOR Many Years
When Senator Merscy reached home
one evening late in the autumn he was
met at the door by his wife. 1t was a
nne old mansion, and the hall was
broad and inviting. Mrs. Mcrscy was
an ideal hostess, and her pariors were
the center from which emanatcd the
oess moral and benevolent influences.
Senator Merscy had founded a COL
lego for colored people in the south.
and had endowed or become q trustee
q several other institutions His name
was tower of benevolencc. Mrs.
Mersey was . true hclpmcct Her
charities were bestowed with such un-
firing zeal and cultivated wisdom that
people came to ncr to be taught hon TO
help others.
One day when some one told her .
heart-wringing story about a poor
woman she exclaimed. with tears in
her eyes:
'Oh, give ne 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, rs
she met her husband at the door. He
laughed gently.
'Oh. do II Well, it is my old over
coat that deserves the compliment
have had it pressed"
II am glad you have" replied the
lady. ''for have left place for it in
the box that goes down south to-mor-
row. 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 SEN
ator's overcoat was nailed mp in IT.
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 modcsty 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 Mr.. and Mrs Senator
Mersey visited the south. They stopped
u . little sunny town. and there met
. colored minister. who. though poor.
was in many respects far above the
average of tie colorcd people about
him.
His wife was q loyable woman-iu-
telligcnt. thrifty and neat. She had been
. schooimistrcss for several years. and
WAS . devoted mother. inspiring her
children with a strong desire for an
education Indeed. SO we'll had this
worthy couple done in this respect that
their oldest boy is professor of Greek
in . colorcd college, and would be hon.
ored rs . citizen in any community.
When these good people learned the
names of their visitors they showed un-
expected emotion. On being qucs-
toned, the minister's wife told the fol-
lowing story:
''About twenty years ago my hus-
band was sent rs q delegate to the
Methodist convention. That was be-
fore you were sent to England to the
conference"-she turned toward her
husband with a proud smile. II must
say his ovcrcoat was quite shabby. It
had been worn four years; had done
the best for IL I could. Before they
made him moderator Deacon Garvin
came up to him
"sBrother Jackson SAID he, .you
ought to have another ovcrcoat.'
al have q good one on. that am sure
cant be . stumbling block to the peo-
pie of Zion
~ dunno bout that said the dea-
con. feeling OF the overcoat f.om collar
to pockets Now, ] can jes' tx you up
finely, Brother Jackson said he. "A
boz has ies' come from Senator Mer-
sew. and in il is an overcoat that will
lit Won like the rind on . persimmon,
and you can send your overcoat to
some poor brother down on the narrer-
gage
$50 he brought out the overcoat, and
nv husband tried it on. and it fitted
him finely. IL was . beautiful over
coat And how long do you suppose he
wore that overcoat?"
She turned triumphantly to Mrs.
Mersey.
Three years. perhsps?" inquired
she LADY, feeling almost rs II she were
the family. ut was quite
worn out wasn't it. dearr She ap-
pealed to her distinguished husband.
II don't think ! recall the giving OF
the overcoat," he said. smoothing the
rim of his hat
..You don't mean that?" The minis
ter's wife looked quite hurt. why. it
was such q fine overcoat! My husband
wore it six years. and then. must say,
Il began to look . little shabby. didn't
il, Mr.. JacksonT'
Mr.. jackson nodded vigorously.
'sThcn set my wits to work. ana
fonnd q way ont Of the trouble. told
him would rip the seams and turn it
and put it together again. and then. as
the material was so fine. it would be -
good rs new.
"'But suppose yon can't iit the pieces
toecther,' said he. then ! shall b |
without any coat
"'You give me the coat and jaoe