The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-07-16
NOBODY BUT JOHN.

"SOME one is coming,'' said l, as the
clack of the shutting gate fell on my ears,
and | looked at Maggy's soied, untidy
dress, and tumbled hair.
Maggy started, and glanced hastily from
the window; then sat down again in care
less way, remarking as she did so: It's
nobody but John"
Nobody but John! And who do you
think that nobody was? Only her hus-
band.
Nobody but John!
A few moments afterward. John Fair
burn came into the room where we were
sitting. and gave me one of his frank, cor
dial greetings. Ihad known him for many
years, and long before his marriage. | no
ticed that he gave an annoyed glance at
his wife. but did not speak to her. The
meaning of this annoyance and indiffer-
ence was plain to me; for John had come
of a neat and tidy family. His mothers
housekeeping had always been notable.
She was poor; but as - time and water
are to be had for nothing this was one
of her sayings-she always managed to
have things about clean and orderly.
Maggy Lee had a pretty face, bright eyes
and charming little ways that were very
taking with the young men, and so was
She had a knack of fixing her ribbons, or
tying her scarf, or arranging her hair,
shawl or dress i'm way TO give grace and
charm to her person. None but her most
intimate friends knew of the untidiness
that pervaded her room and person when
at home and away from common ObServa-
ton.
Poor John Fairburn was taken in when
he married Maggy Lee, He thought that
he was getting the tidiest, neatest, sweetest
and most orderly girl in town. but discov-
cred too soon that he was united TO care
less slattern. She could dress for other
peoples eyes, because she had a natural
love of admiration but at home. and for
her husband, she put on any old dud, and
went looking often ''like the old scratch, ="
rs the saying is.
On the particular occasion of which |
am speaking-it was after she and John
had been married over a year-her appear
ance was almost disgusting. She did not
have on even a morning dress; only a
faded and tumbled chintZ sack above a
soiled skirU-nO collar-slippers down at
the heel, and dirty stockings. Her
hair looked like a hurrah's nest, if any
one knows what that isl don't; but l
suppose it is the perfection of disorder.
No one could love such looking creature.
That was simply impossible. fLE
+" Nobody but JOhn!" | looked at the
bright, handsome young man and won
dered. He ate his dinner almost in ST.
lence. and then went back TO his work. i
had never seen him so moody.
"What's come over John" | asked, rs
he went out.
"Oh, don't know his wife answered.
Something wrong at the shop, suppose.
He's had trouble with one Of the men.
He's foreman, you know"
(" Are you Sure it's only thatg' | asked,
looking serious.
"That. or something about his work
There's nothing else to worry him."
was silent for awhile, debating with
myself whether good or harm would come
of a little plain talk with Johns wife. She
was rtsher quick tempered, | knew, and
easy to take Ofiense. At last | ventured
the remark: maybe things are not just
TO his liking at home"
AT home!' Maggy turned on me
with flash of surprise in her face. "What
do you mean?'
''Men like beauty, and taste, and neat
ness in their wives as well as in their
Sweethearts.' | said. VS.
The crimson mounted to her hair AT
the same moment | saw her glance at a
looking glass that hung opposite to her
on the wall. She sat very still. yet with 3
startled look i'm her ewes. until the flush
faded and her face became almost pale.
"Maggy,n said /, rising and drawing
my arm around her. " come upstairs.
have something very serions to say to
you"
We walked from the little dining-roon
and up to her chamber in silence. [ then
said: " Maggy, | want TO tell you about /;
dear friend of mine who made shipwrecb
of happiness and life. 1t is asai story
but am sure it will interest you deeply
She was my cousin and her name was
Maggy bent forward, listening attentive
ly. WHAT" she asked, as hesitated on
the name.
Helen.'' Hr ei.s ..lsHf
Not Helen White, who married John
Harding. and was afterward deserted by
her huSbandg'' -l erst r-.eal
"Ies; my poor, dear cousin Helen
1t is of her / am going 70 tell YOU" a.
"Inever knew why her husband Wen
off as he did" said Maggy. "Some saiC
he was TO blame. and some put all the faul
on her. How was its' " 80 ~
Both were to blame but she most"
renlied. NJohn Harding was, like you
husband. one of the neatest and most OF
derlv of men. ANYTHING untidy IN hi
home, or in the person of his wife, annoy
ed and often put him out of humor; ou
he did not. as he should have done, spea
plainly TO his wife, and let her see exact
how he felt. and in what he would like
change. If he had done 50, Helen woul
have tried-as every good wife sbould-t
conform herself more TO his tastes an
wishes. But. he was a silent, moody sor
of man when things did nOt go just {
suit him; and instead of speaking on
plainly, brOoded over Helen's tanlts, an
worried himself into fits of ill-humor
and what was worse than all, grew a
lengt' Indifferent 70 his home and wife
and sought pleasanter surroundings an'
more attractive company abroad.
Every man thus estrangedr from IN
home is in danger, and Harding was NJ
exception TO the rule. Temptation la,