The Penn's Grove record., 1893-06-02
SENATOR'S OVERCOAT.

When Senator Mersey reached home
one evening late In the autumn, he
was met at the door by his wife. II
was q fine old mansion, and the hall
was broad aud inviting. Mrs Mersey
was an ideal hostess, and her parlors
were the center from which emanated
the best moral and benevolent fntiu'
| ences.
Senator Mersey had founded a col,
lege Tor the colored people in the
| South, and had endowed or become a
trustee of several other institutions.
His name was a tower of b~eneyolence.
Mrs. MerseY 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 n told her a
heartwr1nging story about a poor wo-
man, she exclaimed with tears in her
eyes:
'Oh, give me her addressl would
rather see that woman than the Queen
of Sheba.' And the best Of 1t was,
she not only meant what she said
hut did ii.
'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 IL Well, 1t is my old over
coat that deserves the compliment
/ have had it pressed"
Il am glad you have" replied the
lady, .'for / have left q place for it In
the box that goes down South to-
morrow. You VIII have to buy a new
one"
1t mover 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,
aud thoughtfulness for the poor was
so common In that household that
the Senator and his wife forgot all
about 1t.
Now, 7 am telling a 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
stop. ed at a little sunny town, and
there met a colored minister, who,
though poor, vas In many respects
far above the average of the colored
people about him.
His wife was a loyabie woman-in.
t~elligent, thrifty and neat. She had
been a schoolmistress for a few years,
and was q devoted mother, inspiring
her children with a strong desire tor
an education. Indeed, so we'll had
this worthy couple done In this re.
spect that their oldest boy is pro.
lessor OF Greek In a colored college,
and would be honored as a citizen ID
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:
"About twenty years ago my hus.
band was sent a a delegate to the
Methodist Convention. That was
before you were sent to England to
the conference.-the turned toward
her husband with a proud smile. II
must say his oyercoat was quite
shabby. II had been worn four years;
/ had done the best for 1t I could.
Before they made him Moderator
Uea on Garvln came up to him.
Brother Jackson said he, you
ought to have another overcoat.,
al have a good one on, that In
sure can't be a stumbling block TO the
people Of Zion.'
80 dunno bout that, said the
Deacon, feeling of the overcoat from
collar to pockets Now / can jes'
fix you up finely, Brother Jackson
said he. "A box has Jes' come from
Senator Mersey. and In 1t is an over
coat that will ut you like the rind on
a persimmon, and you can send your
overcoat to some poor brother down
on the narrer-gage.'
so he brought out the overcout,
and my husband tried it on, and 1t
fitted him finely. 1t was a beautiful
overcoat We don't have such ma.
terial here in the South. And how
long do you suppose he wore that
overcoat?"
She turned triumphantly to Mrs
Mersey.
"Three years, perhapsp" inquired
the lady, feeling almost as il she
were insulting the family. ut was
quite worn out, wasn't it dear?n She
appealed to her distinguished hus.
band.
81 don't think l recall the giving
OF the o~vercoat." he said, smoothing
the rim of his hat.
You don't mean that?n The
minister's wife looked hurt uWhy,
1t was such a fine o~vercoat! My hus-
band wore it six years; and then /
must say, 1t began to look a little
shabby, didn't 1t, Mr., Jackson?"
Mr.. Jackson nodded vigorously.
Then l set my wits to work, and
found a way out Of the trouble. /
told him / would rip the seams ana
turn IT, and put 1t together again,
and then, as the material was so fine,
IL would be as good as new.
but suppose you can't at the
pieces together, said he, then / shall
be without any coat
"'You give me the coat and Just
trust me- said L So l ripped 1t up
and cleaned 1t, and sewed 1t together,
ADD sure enough. It mas almost a.