The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-10-08
OUT OF HIS DANGER.
BY BIRCH ARNOLD.

bi DlhSh AhNpLD'
He was the picture of despair. With
shirt-collar lOOSCned for brt athing room,
diSOrdered hair. and eyes that were almost
vacant with terror, he sat and listened to
the story Jones was telling. 1t was a story
that required very few words for its telling;
but it conjured horrible pictures for the
despairing Brown.
"lt can't be true" he said at last; q I
say, Jones, there's some mistake
:" None in the least. We had the news
as early as six this morning, and the re-
port has been confirmed half-dozen times
since.''
"Then I'm heggar!''
Browns hands dropped lifcleSS by his
side and he gazed convulSively at the cell
ing.
"Well, no sir" said Jones, the prac-
tical. . You're strong and healthy, you've
got brains, and so long as you can work,
I'm thinking you're not much of a beg
gar"
Work? work." Brown repeated the
word with the rising infection, and looked
at Jones for moment, with something OF
a sneer on his face.
Il wasn't brought up to work." he said /;
"besides don't know how"
"But you can learn" said Jones.
No, can't. situated as | am. 4 man
on the eve of marriage can't very well be
gin to learn trade by which to support
himself and wife. No. Jones, something
else must be done. If | could hire money
now, couldn't you help Sma hup out and
manage TO save something's
Perhaps" said Jones. obviously "but
where can on get the money!"
You know my aunt Selma. at SOmer-
dale? | shouldn't wonder if she would
help me out of this"
Browns face frightened as he spoke.
/" don't know about that and Jones
shook his head.
"Well, do. She's little cross-grained
at times; but don't believe she'll refusea
fellow in an extremity like this. Let me
see. what time does the train leave? Eleven
1t is ten now. | have myself to dress, port
manteau to pack, breakfast-gueSs can do
it. Yes, Jones, the more | think of it, the
more hopeful am. Suppose you contra
diet this report about SmaShup and tele-
graph to him to hold on. Wen come out
right vet.''
Brown had busted himself while talk
ing, in Strengthening his collar and reduc-
ing his disOrdered hair into shining per-
fection.
Jones, in the meanwhile, had eyed him
with a quiZZical look that was an odd
NolllpOuilu VI dullllIdliOH anu ulSguSI. llc
certainly was a splendid specimen of
physical manhood; strong and broad
shOuldered enough to be one of the pillars
of the land; yet here he was, living only
to have a good time, and wasting all his
best years upon society that cared only
for his money.
A man with all his physical and mental
powers intact, and yet who wouldn't work
not because he was lazy, but because his
bank account was full and ne had been
fostered into the belief that he was above
work-was i'm JOnes's eyes contemplate.
And although it was against his own in
terests, rs he had been head and hand to
Brown for many years, he seldom lost an
opportunity of representing to Brown
how much better off he would be. if he, in
truth, . minded his own business" But
Brown wouldn't believe this; his own
way of thinking he chose to consider the
best. Jones bade him good-by with these
words:
:" 1t may be thar youth come out
straight, just as you think, but believe
YOU won't, | believe you'n have to be
Strengthened in some other way. The Lord
never meant you TO be the crooked stick
youare."
Brown laughed as Jones closed the door
mentally called him IAN odd fellow" and
dismissed him from his mind within a
seconds time. ~
The Somerdale garden, even with traces
of autumn frosts lying over it, had not yet
lost its attractivenesS and Miss Selma
SOmers was bending over a cluster of
dropping asters, when she heard the gate
click. and looked up to confront her
nephew.
''Well :" she said, interrogatively, as she
put out her hand.
Grew tired of the city, and came down
for little quiet"
Miss SOmers's look asked, &" Is that all ~
but her lips said: " You are welcome. if
you can be contented. There is plenty of
duck shooting"
"Ah! that1l be quite-pretty, 'pon
honor
The last half of this sentence was the re-
suit of an observation Browns eyes had
been taking. and his thoughts had betray-
ed-him. A girlish figure in silver grey was
coming down the path.
Miss Somers's eyes took the direction OF
her nephew's
Hem" she said, and went back to:her
work of clipping.
The girlish figure approached.
Brown instinctively lifted his hat, and
Miss Somers turned TO say, $ Well,
Ethel"
Mrs. Green sent you the last of her mas
turtium seeds, and says she will send you
The slips tomorrow" ~ e.
" How is the baby?"
Better, to-day. The poor little thing
CRED so pitifully, and held out its hands so
pleadlngly, that had to take it and get it
10 sleep, and that was what kept me so
long: Have been wanted ~
1. -
N0T parqeularly- except by Mr.. Col
Was it the reflection of the scarlet knot
at her throat, or did Ethel blush at the
mention of Mr.. Colley? Brown could not