The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-05-21

The only thing now to be decided on was
the day. and name. Tuesday would suit
everybody nicely. What did Matilda s
husband say to Harry tout of compli-
ment to himsclt), Aristides lin honor OF
the Borough tradesman), Horatio (as a
sort of sop in the pan of old FoOZle,
who bore that name), Ajax classical, and
dtstingue, my dear), and Brownjohn Unjust
have family name)? What could be more
melliflu0us than Harry Aristides Hora-
ito Ajax Brownjohn Highfiyr Nothing /;
at least so Matilda said. Having yielded
/ so much. it was not worth while making
! further resistance; so Harry allowed that
Philistine of wife to shear his locks and
bind him with cords until he was positively
helpless.
Now everything is settled" said the
jubilant Mrs. Highly, suppose we write
Uncle Aristides, and acquaint him with
! the resultr'
"OGt of courtesy, we ought also to
write to Uncle job"
"Oh, certainly, my dear" responded
Mrs. Highly. "Will you write both let
! tiers ?"
"Well, MatildaJane, think you might
drop line to Uncle job; it would come
ffrom you with rather better grace than
from me; that is to say, dear, a letter from
| you would be a species of salve for his dis
appointment" The truth was, Harry,
after half inviting his relative to stand god
/ father, when he met him a few days be-
/ fore at a luncheon bar in the City, was
ashamed to back out of the matter; but
/ he knew if Job Smith got a note from Ma
/ tilda Jane, he would pretty accurately
guess the reason why his aid at the christ
/ ening was dispensed with.
Mrs. Highly Immediately brought forth
! her writing materials, and the recOnciled
couple proceeded with their epistles. This
/ is what Matilda Jane wrote to Uncle Job ::
DEAR UNCLE: You know well how pleased we
should have been for you to be one OF the god
fathers TO darling treasure, but unfortunately
/ Harry has friend when 1t would be very impol-
| itic to offend, and, under these circumstances,
am sure you Will excuse our not asking you next
! Tuesday. Best love, etc. Yours, very ahec-
/ tiOnately, NJ j. II Chilly.
! This is how Harry addressed his pros
porous relative in the Borough:
DEAR OLD UNCLE Excuse this familiarity,
/ but we want you to act in official capacity al
4 the christening on Tuesday next. Don't trouble
/ to answer this, because We are determined TO en-
/ list your sympathes on behalf of our boy in Il
/ practical manner. lilly joins in love, and am,
Yours ever, HARRY HIGHFLY.
/ Scarcely had these important cOmmuni-
cations been penned than loud knock
was heard at the front door; hastily gath
ering up the letters into couple of ed
velopes, Mr.. Highly placed them in his
pocket, ready to post the next morning !;
while his wife proceeded TO the stair-head,
1 to ascertaif who were their visitors. 1t
proved to be only Mr.. and Mrs. FOoZle,
/ who had called to have quiet chat; and
/ in their pleasant company, we. for that
evening, drop the curtain upon Harry and
/ his wife.
/ At last came the eventful day. Won
drOus preparations for the great occasion
| had been made by Mrs. Highly (who was
really an excellent housewife). and the re-
suit was that Mr.. and Mrs. FOoZle saw
awaiting them, when the ceremony should
be over, a repast in every way enticing.
There were fowls, huge joint OF beef,
meat pastries, and such a prOfusiOn OF
custards and tartletS that Mrs. FoOZle be-
gan to think whether she could not ma
neuver to introduce into the house, ere the
dav was at an end, select few of her own
numerous brood. Harry was indeed
proud of the managerial capabilities of his
wife, as he gazed from end to end of the
well-illed table, and could not refrain from
charging upon her merits to EOoZle as
they stood together before the mantel-
piece waiting the arrival of the other spOn-
SOr.
Mrs. Highly was too nervous yet to
make her appearance; she was very busy
upstairs preparing baby for church; that
young imp, with his face as red as a fresh
boiled lobster, exhibiting the greatest dis
inclination to be dressed in a becoming
manner, and loudly prOclaiming the fact
bv a continued series of the most discOr.
dant yells. The anxious mamma and nurse
were doing their utmost to prevent the
noise reaching the trio downstairs, but
you might as well have attempted to quiet
tOwn-crier or a Street-singer. They
might shut the door, but still the voice OF
Harry's offspring predOminatedo over every
thing else, and caused the two gentlemen
below to cease their debate upon the prob
abilities of rise or fall i'm the bank rate OF
discount, and the prospects Of the new
PawangalO loan, until a more fitting Op-
pOrtunity.
An, SIR" remarked FOoZle, helping
himself to third glass of port, g it's a
grand thing to be a father; magnificent
feeling, sir; gives man such a sense OF
responsibility Throughout an experience
of many years, never knew a good father
who was not good man. And let me tell
you, Mr.. Highly, in the same lengthy and
varied experience, | have always found
that he who has most children is also the
best. Harry, glancing at his watch, looked
from the window, but failed to see AriSti-
des Brownjohn approaching, and was
with increased mental perturbation, pre-
pairing himself for a renewal of his neigh
boris prosy argument. when Matilda Jane
blushing with maternal pride, and accom-
panied by her mamma and baby, entered
the apartment.
''What :" exclaimed Mrs. Highly, ''has
Uncle Aristides not arrived? l do hope
nothing has happened to the dear soul
If he don't come in few minutes, you
shall walk up to the station, Harry, anC
ask if any accident has happened on the
line"
Her husband not seeming quite to enter
into her views-the nearest railway sta
ton being quite mile from their abode
Mrs. Highly impatieltly turned toward
her visitors, and proceeded to eXtOl the
virtues of the missing one. Suffering from
his spOuse's loquaclty. and the anxiety ht
experienced lest old FOoZle. by reason o
his fondness for port, would have to re
main at home. and be put to bed, it wa
with no small degree of satisfaction tha
Harry heard the sound of rat-tat.
The assembled company are eagerly lis
tening for the approach of footsteps, anC
when the door opens, expect to see the ma
iestic form of the great Aristides. Their,
enters instead the maid-servant: she whis
pers to Harry, who, in turn, murmurs Il
his agitated wife "I'm afraid, dear, ther,
is some mistake" and both leave TIN
room.
In as brief space as it takes to read thi
line, they were in the passage. Befor
them, attired in a suit of seedy but well
brushed black. and with his hand gently
smoothing suspiciously shiny hat, stoo(
the discarded Job Smith.
"Well, Harry" said the newcomer
perceiving the confusion, whats tn,
meaning of all this? Is the christenin:
over?n
Did-didn't you receive Matilda's let
ter ?" gasped Harry.
- got one from you, and here it is.
Before the eyes of the bewildered Hight,
there fiuttered the epistle which had beel
intended for old Brownjohn In the hurr,
occasioned by the arrival of visitors On tn
evening when the letters had been written
they had got into the wrong envelopes
and the wealthy uncle had doubtless re
ceived the missive that had been meant 70
the despised Job.
Cold drops stood upon the forehead o
both husband and wife aS thpv saw TN