Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1921-11-16
THE NEW COAT.
BY MARIE 7. BONNER.


possessed a goodly portion of that
leaven of human affairs-the dramatic
sense. Living as she did In the iso-
lation of a northern Maine farm. her
husband and few neighbOrs afforded
small opportunity TO use that sense.
But, given the chance, she made the
most of IL.
II was one October evening when she
and Ephraim-her huSband-sat to-
gether in their kitchen.
Finally she spoke, casually enough,
winters mo- here!"
"Aleans I'll have 10 build a new cow
shed directly, l reckon" he growled.
Her husband sighed again, "I'll fetch
me home new pair of rubber boots
next time I'm In the city" he said.
Samantha's eyes frightened and she
rocked her chair with short. nervous
jerks. "Thatll be capital, Eph-jes'
what you need! An fetch me some
black goods for a new coatw she
cried.
Eph sat erect. "Now, Samantha
You know amt able to fetch you
new coat That COW shed'll cost
me nigh on sixty dollars an that
storm door! I'll have TO pay Abe
Colts fifteen dollars TO the cent to
fix it-an'-!" he spluttered into ST.
lence.
In the shadow Of the lamp light Sa-
mantha's eyes narrowed-and though
be uufI oh n
coat the thought of IL never left her
mind and remained there even until
the next day when she went over TO
u neighbours for a chat.
Mrs. Carter was a cri p tongued old
lady who lived alone on the farm near
est the Haskins house.
Samantha laid the matter before her.
81 reckon I'll need a new coat this
winter, Mrs Carter!"
"NIy shed needs palntin'-" observed
Mrs. Carter pointedly.
Samantha stared at her in amaze
ment. "Why Mis- Carterr she gasped.
II can't climb ladders anyway, cause
my skirts viii catch and trip me!"
"Put on overalls" Mrs. Carter sug-
gested.
an Pop-over Junction. cried Sa-
mantha, aghast. Then she laughed.
They'd put me outa church Reverend
symptom ies' preached agin them New
York women wearing Knockers las Sun
day."
But Mrs. Carter persisted. "Come
over Thursday noon! Mos every
bOdyll be down TO Saco TO the Meth
dist conference"
by noon Thursday practically every
one had gone to the conference. Eph-
RAIN was TO leave by the half-past one
train. Finally he was OFF.
"G'by. Samantha" he called as he
rolled out of the yard into the road.
Samantha waited until he was out
OF sight, then struck out across lots to
Mrs. Carriers. She arrived breath
less. Mrs. Carter was waiting for her
at the gate.
Il got 'em ready for YOU" she an
nounced.
Now that she actually saw the
things, Samantha hesitated and drew
back; but Mrs. Carter urged her on.
She rushed the reluctant Samantha
into the overalls. Just as she was
gingerly trying the first step Of the
ladder there was a sound Of wheels
In the road.
ats Eph, Samanthyw whispered
Mrs. Carter "Now, when he gifts OPP
posite, you turn round. careless like,
and boiler. Have a good time at the
conferenceY
"Here he is Samanthy," prompted
the woman on the ground.
Samantha chung to the ladder with
one hand and half turned toward the
road. "Eph! Ephw she called. The
driver hauled up the horse until his
fore feet left the ground.
Samantha! :" he roared, and his eyes
bulged and blazed.
His wife trembled on the ladder.
"Do you reckon he'll divorce me.
Mrs. Carter?" she murmured.
Mrs. Carter was equal to any Oc-
casion.
have II rare hACC NAAhe " NAN fVA-
frence, Ephl Samanthy's painting
my shed for met"
Ephraim found his tongue. "Come
down off'n that ladder fore you break
y neck; an take of them trousers :"
he ordered.
"why, Ephl You'll miss that 80
II you don't step on right lively" she
cried, and waved gaily at him.
For answer Eph began TO descend
from his seat.
Il reckon you'll get the coat now,
Samanthy," observed Mrs. Carter.
"what was you amin to paint sheds
for. Samantha?" be demanded.
"She's earnin' sDme money" replied
Mrs. Carter smartly, before Samantha
could speak.
II reckon I kin earn plenty for me
an mine" retOrted Eph holly.
Even to winter coats?" asked Mrs
Carter cOOlly.
For a second time. Eph found moth
Ing TO say. "C'mon home, Samantha ="