The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1893-04-01
THE SENATOR'S COAT.
How It Served a Colored Minister
for Many Years.

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 coIored people in the south.
and had endowed or become a trustee
of several other institutions. His name
was a tower of ~benevolence. Mrs.
Mersey was a true helpmeet. Her
charities were bestowed with such un-
firing zeal and cultivated wisdom that
people came to her to be taught hop to
help others.
One day when some one told her a
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 NEAR whatsne 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 - Well, it is my old over
coat that deserves the compliment. |
have mad it pressed"
Il am glad you have replied the
lady. ''for l have left a place for it in
the box that goes down south to-mor-
row. You will have to buy a new
one"
1t never occurred to the senator t.
differ from his wife in such matters
or any matters at all; and the nextday,
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 Sc
common in that household that the
senator and his wife forgot all about it.
Now, | am telling a r 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 a 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
was a 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 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. Il must
say his overcoat was quite shabby. 1t
had been worn our years; l had done
the best for it l could. Before they
made him moderator Deacon Garvin
came mp to him.
brother Jackson said he, you
ooSi ~ w navy diotLOl oNCiSOdt.
81 have a good one on. that | am sure
can't be a stumbling block to the peo-
pie of Zion
~ dunno bout that said the dea-
con, feeling of the overcoat fl ON 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
fit you like the rind on a 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 doyou suppose he
wore that o~vercoat?'
She turned triumphantly to Mrs.
Mersey.
Three years, perhaps?" inquired
the lady, feeling almost as if she were
insulting the family. st was quite
worn out, wasn't it, dear?" She ap-
pealed to her distinguished husband.
Il 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 a fine o%vercoat! My husband
it six years, and then, l must say,
it began to look a little shabby, didn't
it, Mr.. Jackson?''
Mr.. Jackson nodded vigorously.
Then | set my wits to work, and
found a way out of the trouble. I told
him l 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.