The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-04-11
THE SENATOR'S COAT.
How 1t Served a Colorcd Minister
for Many Years

When Senator Merscy reached home
one evening late Ia the autumn he was
met at the door by his wife. IL was a
fine old mansion, and the hall was
broad and inviting. Mrs Mcrsey was
an ideal hostess, and her parlors were
The center from which emanated the
best moral and benevolent Influences.
Senator Mersey had founded coll
lcge for colored people In the south,
and had endowed OF become q trustee
Of several other institutions. His name
was tower Of bcneyolcnce. Mrs.
Mcrscy was a true hclpmeet Her
charities were bestowed with such un-
firing zeal and cultivated wisdom that
people came to her to be taught Aow TO
help others
One day when some one told her q
heart-wringing story about "a poor
woman she exclaimed. with tears In
her eyes:
"Oh, give me her address, ] would
rather sec that woman than the Queen
Of Sheba And the best Of II was, she
not only meant whatshe said but did II,
How fine yon lookl" She said that
autumn evening twenty years ago, us
she met her husband at the door. lie
laughed gently.
..Oh. do ~ Well, it is my old over
coat that deserves the compliment /
have had il pressed
II am glad you have" replied the
lady. for have left a place for it in
the box that goes down south to-mor-
-, It.,4,
one"
1t never occurred to the senator to
differ from his wife in such Matters
or any matters at all; and the nextday,
when the box was nailed up, the sen
ntor's overcoat was nailed mp in II.
That was as have said, long ago,
and thoughtfulncss for the poor was SO
common in that household that the
senator and his wife forgot all about it
Now, am telling true story, only
changing names aud places, 50 as 10
protect;the modestg Of two of ehrises
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
Ut little sunny town, and there met
colored minister, who, though poor,
was IN many respects far above the
average Of the colored people about
him.
His wife was lovable woman--in
tclligcnt, thrifty and neat She had beer
a schoolmistfess for several years, and
was devoted mother, inspiring heI
children with a strong desire for ar
education. Indeed, so we'll had this
worthy couple done in this respect that
their oldest boy is professor Of Greek
in a colored college, and would be hon.
orcd us 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;
''Abont twenty years ago my hus
band was sent as a delegate to tht
Methodist convention That was be
fore yon were sent to England to thu
conference sfe turned toward he
husband with proud smile. Il mus
say his overcoat was quite shabby. /
had been worn four years; had don,
INV pe7et ltiE ~ COultl. tlgSIt1FS 5IIltl
made him moderator Beacon Garvil
came up to him.
Brother Jackson said he, yo,
ought to have another overcoat.
/" i have good one on, that am sur,
can't be a stumbling block to the peo
pie Of Zion
!" n dunno bout that said the den
con, feeling of the overcoat ii ON cola
tapockets Now, can jos, fix you III
finely. Brother jackson, said he. y
box has jes' come from Senator MGR
seg, and in II is an overcoat that vii
1T you like the rind on a pcrsimmon
aud you can send your overcoat /,
some poor brother down on the narrer
gage
so he brought out the oyercoat, an,
my husband tried it on, and it fittes
him finely It was a beautiful over
coat And how long do you suppose h,
wore that ovcrcoat2'
She turned triumphantly to Mrs
Mersey
Three years, perhaps?" inquire,
the lady, feeling almost as II she weri
insulting the family ut was quit,
worn out wasn't it, dear2f She ap
pealed to her distinguished husband.
= don't think recall the giving o
/ the overcoat, he said. smoothing tn,
rim Of his hat
You don't mean thatar The minis
ter's wife looked quite hurt why, i
was such a fine overcoatl My husban,
wore it six years, and then, must say
It began TO look little shabby, didn'
1t Mr.. Jackson2"
Mr., Jackson nodded vigorously.
Then set my wits to work. am
found way out Of the trouble toll
him ! would rip the seams and turn ii
and put it together again, and then, d
the material was So fine. ii would be a
good as new
But suppose you can't Git the piece
together said be, then shall b
without any coat
lyon give meN the coat and jus