The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-04-11
THE SENATOR'S COAT.
How It Served a Colored Minister
for Many Years.

| Odd anu LIZ MIS- -hCISCy w d.
an ideal hostess, and her parlors were
the center from which emanated the
best moral and benevolent influences.
Senator Mersey had founded col
lege for colored people in the south,
and had endowed or become trustee
of several other institutions. His name
was a tower of benevolence Mrs.
| Mersey was a true helpmeet Her
charities were bestowed with such I'M.
firing zeal and cultivated wisdom that
people came to her to be taught hon to
help others.
One day when some one told her a
-wringing story about poor
woman she exclaimed, with tears in
her eyes:
''Oh, give me her address! l 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 I? Well, it is my old over
coat that deserves the compliment. I
have had it pressed"
Il am glad you have" replied the
lady, ''for have left a 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 up in 1t.
| That was, as l have said, long ago,
and thoughtfulness for the poor was SO
common in that household that the
senator and his wife forgot all about it.
Now, l am telling 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 Mr.. and Mrs. Senator
Mersey visited the south. They stopped
| at little sunny town. and there met
colored minister, who. though poor,
average of the colored people about
| him.
His wife was lovable woman-in-
telligent, thrifty and neat. She had been
schoolmistress for several years, and
was d devoted mother, inspiring her
children with 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
IT, onlOroI nOlIorra h.
ored as a citizen in any community.
When these good people learned the
names of their visitors they showed IN
expected emotion. On being cues.
toned, the minister's wife told the fol-
lowing story:
"a bout 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 proud smile. 81 must
say his overcoat was quite shabby. It
had been worn four years; 1 had done
the best for it l could. Before they
made him moderator Deacon Garvin
came up to him.
Brother Jackson SAID he, YOU
ought to have another oEercoat'
~ have good one on. that am sure
can't be milling block to the peo-
pie of Zion
81 dunno bout that said the dea-
con, feeling of the overcoat fl ON collar
to pockets. Now, 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
fit you 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
my husband tried it on, and it fitted
him finely. 1t was a beautiful over
coat. And how long do you suppose he
wore that overcoat?"
She turned triumphantly to Mrs.
Nersey
Three years, perhaps?" inquired
the lady. feeling almost as if she were
insulting the family. ut was qnite
wcrn out, wasn't it, dear?' She APP
pealed to her distinguished husband
81 don't think l recall the giving OF
she 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 a fine overccat! My husband
wore it six years, and then, | must say.
i began to look little shabby, didn't
il, Mr.. Jackson?'
Mr. Jackson nodded vigorously.
Then | set my wits to work, and
found way out 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 as
good as new.
But suppose you cant ct the pieces
together said he. then l shall be
without any coat
You give me the coat aud just
trust me, said /. So l ripped it ny,
and cleaned it, and sewed it together.
and. sure enough, 1t was almost as good
as new. put on i new collar and
new buttons l declare it made the
good man quite too vain 10 live, for
Deacon Garvin said to him:
Where did you get you- new over
coat, Brother Jackson? Has the Light
ming Of ;he Lord struck -FOUR house?'
- It mas, he said The Lord has
rjxar mo n y1nvVa-t,,T ,x--+a Y.ts -.