The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-05-07

Our friend was about parting from us
with courteous bow, as ! turned to ring
the bell, but Patty heard him mutter halt
aloud, as he consulted a very handsome
watch, II have still thirty-five minutes to
spare" Then he turned again, saying,
iinquiringly, as he came toward us:
= You would have no objectiOn?''
''-We should be very glad to have you go
through the house with as" | answered.
interpreting his question by his movement.
"a gentleman Of your experience could
afford us very valuable suggestions as to
what house should be-
The door was opened just then by a
( plainly-dressed woman. evidently a servant,
! and a stop was put TO farther conversation
and we entered the house together. Patty
looked at first surprised, then pleased 1;
and as we passed through the various
rooms. went into a succession OF feminine
raptures and indeed the Arrangement Of
! the house was almost beyond criticism. 1t
had evidently been built for the occupancy
of the owner, and the furniture which still
retained its place. bore an air of almost
! luxurious comfort, while it betokened
nothing of pretentious display. We might
| journey over the entire city and not find
anything which suited us so admirably.
What was the rent?'' | asked the woman
who had acted as our guide.
She could not tell us she said, but she
thought the card on the fence (Which it
seemed we had not noticeD said Si00.
"Can YOU tell us where to find the gen.
tleman who owns the house," asked.
"1ndeed | can't, sir. | never saw him
| in all my life. | was engaged by the agent
| to STAY here till the house was rented, and
! TO t,I-n nf l,n ft,r / off 10
| such work for Mr.. Wilson, sir. I've known
him this many years.
How very verdant in me to be sure"
| | thought. For there was the name in full
at the head of the collection of the slip
which contained our advertisement
= Henry f. Wilson, Real-estate Agent
40 Third street." There being nothing
more that could be done, after Patty had
exhausted all her usital stock of adjectives
and was beginning to draw upon her re-
serves, we thanked the woman and with
drew.
Our unknown friend had been a rather
quiet spectator of our inspection, and
evinced only casual interest in our in
vestigatiOns at No. 1877. But | had no.
ticed that he smiled in way that seemed
to indicate qualification at the praises of
my wife for the various features of the
house.
As we approached the next cross street,
saw by the familiar name that it would lead
us back to our portion of the city.
I'VE must leave you here,' said /,
"but let me thank you for your kindness
in directing us. Though | have not the
pleasure of knowing your name, shall
be glad to repay the obligation some future
day.
Don't ever speak of it." he replied :;
but do you think the house would suit
yOu?''
- Oh, yes indeed" broke in Patty, quite
awakened from her timidity. "But then
four hundred dollars"
"ScemS like a great deal of money!"
said he, finishing Patty's sentence. MY
dear sir Ito mel, | really think | am in
position to serve yOH. Let me give you
my card "
He put his hand into the left breast
pocket of his coat. and drawing forth
number of letters, carefully selected neat
bit of pasccboard which he handed with a
bow to my wife. | could hardly reprcss
my astonishment as we both read, printed
in legible letters, Robert Ii. Cresap, No.
l91 Chester street"
so you are the owner of the cottage -
| exclaimed.
l tS. lie dllSNtTtu, dll lilC cNlltI
Of the cottage. | told you only a little
while ago that | had no home, and yet
have been very happy there. | almost felt
as though the sight OF the dear familiar
walls and the many associations they
brought up again in my mind, would be
more than could bear. Perhaps you no.
ticed my silence"
IOnly bowed aSsentin9ly and he went on.
Happiness such as ours was too deep to
last and-it seems years since | came from
my wife's funeral, but she has only been
dead week last Thursday. Ny own
health has suffered from the cares of busi-
ness and the hours | spent at her bedside,
and my physicians have told me that sea
voyage is absolutely essential. shall
start for Europe on Saturday next. But
you will pardon me for intruding these
sad details upon strangers" and Mr.. Gre
sap turned to walk away.
q presume | can see Mr. Wilson about
the h0usc?' | inquired, feeling that any
further allusiOn TO his grief would only
harrow up his feelings.
Certainly. He will make all arrange
ments with you, if you should desire to
take it. But am fearful that it has been
already rented. Mr.. Wilson spoke to me
of several applicants who had inquired re-
|
call upon him tomorrow, in case any one
has engaged it.
Our chances are very slight, I'm
afraid.'' said l.
Il think we can arrange it." answered
Mr.. Cresap. Notwithstanding the prop
erty is i'm Mr.. Wilson's hands, if | should
make bargain, he would be obliged TO
abide by it. wouldn't he?"
Il should think So" Ianswered, smiling
at his earnestness.
Very well. Then | will give you a
receipt for small sum of mOney-say
| twenty-five or fifty dollars, stating that it
is to be applied to the rent of the cottage.
You can present this in the morning to
Mr.. Wilson, and tell him that wish him
to make out the lease. As for the terms,
if three hundred and fifty dollars is not too
much. the cottage is at your service
And the furniture?" asked Patty.
"Oh. that can be decided afterward."
Could anything be better than that?
| Under ordinary circumstances, request
for fifty dollars would have been as likely
to be hOnored as draft for fifty thousand.
| But as good luck would have it that very
afternoon | had drawn fifty dollars to meet
some bills already due.
| 1--WE will accept your proposition with
thanks" said |, and you shall find us the
most careful of tenants"
Mr.. Cresap took the card which Patty
was still holding, and having inquired very
particularly as to the spelling of my name,
which | had already given him, he wrote
in a clear, bold hand Il have the card lying
on my desk now terse business-like re-
ceipt which ran as follows:
Received of Hugh II. Elton, fifty dollars, on
| rent of lg7 Chester street.
ROBERT h. CREsAP.
March 18th, 1874. ~ n
For this document lhurriedly exchanged
nv fifty dollars two twenties and ten,
lest Mr.. CreSap should repent him his
generous action, and after thanking him
for his advice not to fail to "call on Mr.
Wilson Tomorrow" we babe him good
afternoon and started homeward.
As may well be imagined, Patty and
hardly waited till Mr.. Cresap had gone be-
yond ear-shot, before we began to exchange
congratulations. - -.-.....
'sOnlv to think of our having been sc
delightfully."- fortunate" cried Patty. "Tc
think of our meeting Mr.. CreSap so neal
his own house e."
And the rent so exceedingly reasona
BILE" continued. "But do not wonder
that he is panied to see strangers step il
and occupy place made so dear to hin