Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1915-12-07
THEFUR COAT

Margaret stood in the open doorway
her books under her arm, gazing
thoughfully out over the blue waters
of the harbor.
ct know, jack she was saying,
"but you must have a new overcoat
and suit for the winter. OF course "a
love to have a fur coat like Helen $,
but I don't see how we can afford 1t
this year. You know you haven't made
much on the last two trips, AND
''Oh, cheer up, Sis interrupted her
brother pleasantly; Il guess we won't
starve."
The girl sighed but said no more.
Her brother, having finished his break
fast, rose and stood watching her
moment.
poor SIS" he thought. 'it's not the
first time she's given up some pleas
ure for me, and it must be lonesome
for her when I'm out"
His thoughts went back over the
last few years. After the death OF
his father, four years ago, his moth
er had struggled bravely to make
living for herself and her little faml-
". Having finished the grammar
school course, Jack. unlike most OF
the young people of the little fishing
town was sent to high school that ne
might be better fitted for the world
he had to face.
But after two years the strain De-
gan to show OH the. delicate mother.
Her health broke down and she soon
passed away, leaving her two chlidren
in the care of an elderly cousin, whom
they had always called Aunt Jennie.
Aunt Jennie's husband was captain
of a small fishing vessel named the
Marietta After Jacks mother died ne
took the boy out on fishing trips with
him and paid him a share of the pro-
fits.
Margaret was now Is, four years
l. In
second year of the town high schooi
She was deeply devoted to her brother
and he possessed a strong affection
for her.
Their fathers sister, who had a
beautiful home in one OF the large cit
les of Maine and had visited them dur
the summer, and had repeatedly ask
ed Margaret to go and stay with her.
1T must be lonely for you, child,
she used to say, with Jack away all
day"
well, it is sometimes" the girl
would answer slowly, but l like to
be here when Jack comes home; and
then there's Aunt Jennie, you know
So she quietly declined the invitation
I'll tell you, Sis" the boy said sud
denly, 'if l make good on this trip
what do you say if we both spend a
week at Aunt Alice's in Maine?
'fOh, Jack, that would be great!
exclaimed the girl turning to her
brother ioyfuIly. But" she contin-
ued, I can't very well leave school
The boys face clouded for a mo
ment then cleared as he asked: How
about the Christmas vacation?"
Lovely" said Margaret.
Then it's a go. Come on, Sis" Jack
threw his oil skins over his arm and
together they started off down the
shore.
It was a fresh, clear day in early
October, and the brisk east wind was
making little white caps on the plut
waves. Margaret stood on the wharf
watching the Marietta starting out
her brother waving back to her from
it's deck The boat was almost to the
point before the girl turned her step;
toward school.
The sun was slowly dropping in the
western sky and casting long, slantinE
rays across the waters, when the Mar
| ietta entered the harbor the next aft
ernoon. They had made good catch
and had taken the fish to Boston.
won't Margie be pleased!' though
Jack, glancing over the harbor Il
where their little home nestled on tn,
he soliliquized. Ninety dollars will b.
| good help toward our trip to Main
and I don't know but 1 might get he
| the coat, too"
Hi! Jacket" called a boyish voice
| and Jack saw a small dory carrying
| two little boys. 1t was fitted up will
a homemade sail and. mast. and wa
| headed for the point.
| Hello, boys" returned Jack, that
| some sailboat you've got, but you pet
| ter be careful Don't go out too far.
| But his warning was lost on the boy
as the dory sped over the waves. Jacl
looked after them and thought of hi