The Forrest City times., 1893-04-07
THE SENATOR'S COAT.
How It Served a .Colored Minister
 for Many Years.

LOT Mdlly 0dTS.
 When Senator Mersey reached home one evening late in the autumn he was met at the door by his wife. It was d 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 trustee of several other institutions. His name was tower of benevolence. Mrs. Mersey was true helpmeet. Her charities were bestowed with such un- tiring zeal ard cultivated wisdom that people came to her to be taught ho1c 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 me her address,. would rather see that woman than the Queen of Sheba." And the best of it was, she not only meant what sine said but did it.
 "IIow 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" We'll, it is my old over coat that deserves the compliment. have had it pressed"
 ''I am glad you have" replied the lady, flor I 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 1 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 I am telling a true story, only changing names and places, so as to protect the modesty of two of Christs servants, who are careful that their left hands do not tell their right hands of their noble deeds.
 Last year Mir. and Mrs. Senator Mersey visited the south. They stopped at d 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 been a schoolmistress for several years, and
 ;,.; har children with strong desire for an education. Indeed, so well had this worthy couple done in this respect that their oldest boy is professor of Greek in a colored college, and would be hon. ored 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 the Methodist convention. That was be- fore you were sent to England to the conference.-the turned toward her husband with a proud smile. ''l must say his overcoat was quite shabby. 1t had been worn four years; l had done the best for it l could. Before they made him moderator Deacon Garvin came up to him.
 "Brother Jackson sad he, you ought to have another overcoat.'
 "'I have good one on. that am sure can't be a stumbling block to the peo- pie of Zion
 "'I dunno bout that, said the dea- con, feeling of the oyercoat f. om collar to pockets. Now, l can jes' fix you up finely, Brother Jackson said he. "A box has jes' come from Senator Mer- sey. and in it is an overcoat that will it you like the rind on persimnon, and you can send your overcoat 10