The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-06-11
''what question. 1t is half a mile

8 What question. 1t is half a. mile
west Of here on the railroad - q a
81 didn't come that way. j came from
I the place two miles south, where they
( stopped for wood and water.''
I What's that y demanded Col. Mogoer-
ton suddenly. appearing from path that
was hidden by a close hedge "What
about the wood and water station ?''
" was merely remarking to Miss that [
got off from the cars there, last night, and
walked over here
And what the devil did you do that
for, sir?
smiled measily.
'Why didn't you go to Shelby?"
. The train did MT stop there y re-
piled.
"Why didn't you learn that before you
startedsn =.'
This stern catechism was the opposite of
reassuring. Itimidly answered thas | was
not familiar with the neighborhood, and
did not know that Shelby was the proper
station at which to stop. H
:" Didn't your father give YOU instruc-
tiOns as to the route?"
"NO, sir"
"What a land didn't you ask him?
Good gracious What a way of going alta
thing. | hate blunders."
Father! " interpOSed Kate.
But | laughed weakly, and endeavored
to feel highly pleased. @
iii tell you howto proceed, if you ever
come here again. Go straight to Shelby
and walk over here if it's pleasant; if not,
ride. It's only half mile. The railroad
takes a long curve, and two miles south OF
here is the watering station. Cad you bad
a good walk, didn't you? Served you
right"
And the Colonel staIked off toward his
barn. 8
You mustn't mind father,n said Kate.
" BE has such rough way of speaking,
but
"Oh. certainly fastened to say .
/ like him all the better for it."
Then we sauntered about lazily, getting
better acquainted every moment. i was
confirmed and strengthened i'm my i'm.
preston of Kate's loveliness. and the
7 thought crossed my mind that had never
/ known and never would ask for any great
er pleasure than thus walking by her side.
She was so fresh and tull of warm life, and
yet so refined and graceful in every word
and movement. And there was that indie
Scribable emanation from her being that
sometimes steals upon one softly and
thrillingly, forming tangled meshes of at
traction. from which there was no escape.
| felt this in a general. indefinite way, and
surrendered to the calm contentment of
being with her.
unconsciously our steps led us to the
front of the house, and we strOlled down
the path toward the road.
A miserably clad woman, sweltering
with heat and begrimed with dust, ap-
preached She held out her hand. and
begged for aims.
''Oh, see that poor wOmanl' exclaimed
Kate. ''How dreadfully she looks!" She
stared at her with pity.
| involuntarily put my hand in my
pocket. for felt it would be fine thing to
make a show of generosity before Kate.
But thrill of horror ran through me as |
recOllected thar my pocket-book was emp
ty, am sure turned pale. Iprayed for
some sudden gift of ingenuity to avoid the
appearance of being close-tisted @
She is probably swindler," | said
quietly.
"Oh, nOr' replied Kate, her face all
aglow. . l think it is old Mrs. Brandon,
from Shelby. They say she has eight chill
dren. and is in miserable health" -.
"We see so much swindling of the kind
in the city, | said, "that it makes us rath-
er skeptical' .
Yes, l know; but this woman is truly
needy"
Kate looked at me cxpectantly. and |
endeavorCd to maintain c;ilm air. 1t was
a trying situation. | knew she expected
me to give the beggar woman some money.
After waiting a moment, Kate said, I'm
90 and get my purse" and ran into the
house. .s4
+l,o 4
passed without any occurrence worthy OF
notice.
On the following morning announced
my intention of walking 20 Shelby. Col.
Moggerton offered to drive me over if |
would wait until afternoon, but | pre-
ferred to walk in the cool of the morn
ing.
1t was pretty little town, with nothing
/ to distinguish it beyond the average Amer
lean village. The air was hot. the streets
were dusty, and the sun beat down steadi
ly. walked along, taking indolent note
of everything, and seeking barber-ShOp.
At last | spied striped pole in
the distance, and eagerly approached it,
for I needed shaving sadly. A polite
descendant of Ethiopia arose at my en-
trance.
''Shave. sir?''
nodded and threw myself back in the
barber's chair. The brush, full of cool,
soothing lather, Was applied to any face
with dcft touch. | closed my eyes in
contentment. All, a flood of recol-
lectiOns burst upon me. had no money,
How was | going to pay for the shave? |
must do something quickly.
leaped from the chair and exclaimed:
.'Hold on! There goes man | must
see Excuse NE now. llLcome in for
my shave this afternoon"
/ rushed TO the sink and washed the
lather from my face. and then ran out,
wiping the water off with my handker-
chief.
Once in the street ass 1med as tranquil
an air as possible. Noon came. but felt
no appetite, and so did not return to Col.
MOggertOn's. Ono, two, three O'Clock
were successfully tOlled out by the hOarse
bell in the tall square steeple before | set
out on my return. Then | had only Just
started when ! met vehicle containing
the Colonel and Kate.
Were you going back ~ asked Kate.
"Ies.n replied.
"Wait about an hour and ride back with
us, won't your she asked, with such
look that | was at once beguiled into say
ing yes. >aL. ....
"Meet at Sherman's dry-goOds store"
she continued.
L bowed in assent and they drove on
again. In due time [ was at the appoint
ed place of meeting.
Isn't it fearful ~ sighed Kate.
"What?' | asked.
"rhe heat.p #Ek1I
80, yes-certainly. 1t is very warm. l
shouldn't have thought you would have
ventared t0.town." a ae ~
" Father had business here, and he al
ways likes to have me ride with him. Be
sides, he said he would go into Morse's
and get some iee-cream.e .
This was another blow at my feelings.
g | Didn't know they had ice-cream sa-
looms in such small places"
go, yes but | am afraid | will be
cheated out OF it, for he has got to talk
with Lawyer Hurd, and there is no know
ing when he will get through"
Idon't know that she intended this as a
hint. but took it as such. am not 60
ing to attempt to convey in words an idea
of the exasperated state of my mind. |
was forced to stand there and make weak
show of conversing with her, without Of
farinU rC, take her fathers place in escort