The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-06-29
JACKS COAT.
BY LAURA J. RITTENHoUsE.

Jack Turner looked gloOmily out OF
the window, his handsome face disfig-
ured by scowl.
ITS always SO. Just as sure as
have a chance for a good time, some
obstacle arises to prevent it. Howard
has pass for. me, and my trip south
wouldn't cost me cent, II only
had something decent to wear"
Mrs. Turner dropped her work and
sighed.
1T does seem hard, Jack. but real
ly don't see how to help it. II we
should buy you a summer suit now
you'd have to wear your old suit again
next winter, you know" she said plain
lively.
'Oh, I known that we'll enough,
mother, so it isn't worth while talk
Ing about 1t. 1t seems to me I've
heard of nothing but poverty all my
life. We're SO poor, Jobs turkey
wouldn't associate with u.s." he said
savagely, then stalked from the room
with the air of martyr.
His sister Doris went on darning
steadily for awhile.
I'm ever 80 sorry for poor Jack
she said at last, esispicion of tears
in her voice. II wish / could help
him some way, but I'm afraid can't
manufacture suit of clothes for him.
l really do believe l could make him
a coat and vest, though, II only l had
the material. You know l am an ex-
pert maker of pockets and buttonholes,
and you often say my pressing is
equal to tailors.'
Mrs. Turner's face frightened.
"Yes, you are splendid at that kind
of thing. Doris. / think. it is gift;
or perhaps 1t is only q delicate touch,
true eye, and unlimited patience.
Whatever the quality may be, | know
I do not possess it. Jack would never
wear coat made by his mother" and
she laughed softly at the idea
Suppose he had coat and vest,
mother, has he any trousers At to
wear SOUTH" asked Doris.
Eyes; those dark gray ones could
be sronged and pressed till they'd
look as good as new"
Doris put down her darning. ran up
stairs and returned in a moment with
the full skirt of black gown on her
arm. Her face was radiant.
Jack can go, mother I can get q
coat and vest out Of this gown, with
careful cutting. The material is love-
ly, silk and wool, even finer than Is
ordinarily used for gentlemen. My
big brother will be quite a swell in
It," she said, merrily.
why, Doris, you surely don't intend
to use that good gown in that way?
1t is the only decent one you have for
cool days." demonstrated Mrs. Tur-
ner.
Indeed l do. mother. l can wear
my old brilliantine by freshening it up
with a new facing and ribbons, and
dear old Jack shall have his outing"
But Jack will not allow you t.
sacrifice your best dress for him, Do
ris."
Jack will know nothing about it.
l can easily find out his measures, and
! know where l can get good patterns.
II he asks questions, I'll evade them
so skilfully he'll think we've had a
sudden streak Of good luck" the girl
said. gayly.
But 1t doesn't seem fair, Doris. II
Jack would give up smoking, he could
soon save money enough to buy his
clothes himself" Mrs. Turner protest
ed.
Nov. mother dear. don't you fret
about your daughter. I'll have such
jolly times, and chatter and beam and
smile upon people so broadly that
they'll forget to notice my shabby at.
tire. OF course, Jack ought to be
ashamed of himself for wasting money
on such an expensive and filthy habit;
but hope yet to some day coax him
to stop it." And full OF her generous
purpose, Doris tripped UP stairs to
begin her loving work.
Soon afterward, Mrs. Turner went
into the kitchen to see about dinner
utterly unconscious that her guest
Howard Halliday. was lying upon tn,
couch in the parlor, where he had gone
an hour before with a severe head
ache. He certainly had not intended
listening; but 1t had happened 81
quickly he had not had time to maxi
his presence known. He was not yer!
penitent. He felt there could be NJ
harm in reading another page In |
sweet, unselfish life.
He had begun his acquaintance will
Doris by being amused at her quaint
old-fashioned sincerity; and he hat
not been in the house six hours a
Jacks guest, before the young lad
gave his a surprise that made hin
very nearly angry.
It was just after tea, and they hat
adjourned to the broad porch to EMO.
the lovely sunset. He had pulled GU
his cigar case, and with an air Of cas-,
assurance turned to Doris
"You have no objection to my smok
ing?"
Indeed have. l hate tobacc'
smoke, and even II did not l shoul'
object on principle"
For once in his life Towards grac
OF manner forsook him. and he thrus
his cigar back into its case as awk
wardly as a schoolboy. his face Grim
son.
Doris sat demurely swaying BAG
and forth in her light rocker, on
pretty, rounded arm appraised, toyin
with spray Of honeysuckle. AppaI
emily unconscious that she had sal
or done anything. cut Of the ordinar.
she smiled in friendly manner int
the gentleman's clouded face.
"You are the first young lady eve