Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-01
The Seal Coat.

Few people knew the real cause o!
the quarrel between the Tanton sisters
Jessie and Belle, but there had beer
considerable speculation. Some said
perhaps 1t was their mothers will: she
had probably left more to Belle thar
she had to Jessie, she being the young
err, and with her music to keep up
and ALL Others said 1t was on account
OF Will Morrow. Will was the only
eligible In Allendale for women Of the
Tanton sisters age, and recently had
been often seen with Belle, although
for some time he had been considered
as Jessie's steady" friend.
After Mrs. Tanton's death the big
house on Green avenue was closed
Belle went to the city and it was
rumored that she had obtained a fine
position teaching music in the schools
Jessie, the elder by five years. remained
in Allendale, in small apartment over
Lathrop's store. and continued the ever
tenor of her life; her card club on
Thursday: her literary club. composed
of ladies of the church. and her church
work
The quarrel had been on account OF
the mothers seal coat. MRS. Tantor
had inherited the coat from an elderly
wealthy relative and for years 1t had
been the family treasure. The girls had
run their hands lovingly over its luxuri.
GUS black surface and Mrs. Tanton al
ways kept it carefully covered when II
was not worn, and when it was it was
only for best" In the Spring 1t was
wrapped in layer after layer Of news
papers: sometimes as many as 10
editions of the Allendale Herald, each
layer tied with cord and then packed
into q suit box. rewrapped in news
papers, ted securely and placed in a
dark. dry corner Of the attic to await
another Winter. Mrs. TantOn always
said, Moths will never ONE near
printers ink"
For seven years now the coat had
remained in its newspaper wrappings
in the attic. There had been no
stipulation in the will about it. The
house and all its contents had been
left jointly to the two sisters. Also
the bank stock and the few pieces OF
jewelry she had owned. When Jessie
calmly announced her intention the
next Fall of having the coat refined
and repaired Belle had announced the
same intention. For years each had
treasured the idea that some day the
seal coat would be hers. Belle had said
Jessie's brown coat with the beaver
collar was as good as new. and. besides
Jessie did not have to 60 out every
day as she did. Jessie had remained
obdurate, and for seven years they had
been living sparate lives. Will Morrow
had long since married Lucy White.
AS the years passed Allendale ceased
to wonder about the Tanton sisters
Bellies name was seldom mentioned and
Jessie grew cray and stout, quietly
living the life she had lived for years
administering to the wants of others;
opening the big house on Green avenue
cleaning; helping at church suppers
working with the Ladies' Aid, reading
book reviews and accommodating 800
and pedro" prizes at the club.
And then Allendale decided to have
hospital. A manufacturing plant and
its subsequent real estate activities in
creased the population considerably and
new houses were built. The nearest
hospital was in Midtown. is miles
away All the Allendale ladies entered
into the project with enthusiasm and
within a few months a way was seer
by which the Allendale Hospital could
become a reality.
On a morning in Autumn Jessie was
baking Salt-rising bread, as she hac
done every Saturday morning for years
as had her mother before her. and three
callers came to her door; Mr.. Davis
president of the Allendale Bank; the
Rev. Mr.. Carson Of the Methodist
Church, and DR.. Samuel Ames, the
towns oldest and best known physician
They wanted the old Tanton home for
hospital!
"You don't need it. It's closed the
year around and the money would be
drawing interest for you-and for your