The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-05-14
AN OLD PROYERB DISPROvED.

AN OLD PROYERB DISPROVED.
DR. REGINALD DEANE sat placidlv sup.
ping his coffee, glancing now and then al
the morning paper beside his plate, and
listening in not very polite attention to the
remarks vOuchsafed by his aunt from the
opposite side of the table.
College days. medical lectures, and
clinics were over for him. He had wand
cred through European hospitals, practis-
ed enough 10 attain requisite skill and
nerve in handling the scalpel. and learned
enough of Natures philosophy to refrain
from drugging his patients to death.
Theoretically, he loved his profession
practically, he hated il. The success of an
operation or course of treatment was de-
lightful; the steps leading to the success,
involving the diSagrceables attendant upon
suffering. were agonizing, for no set of
feminine nerves ever quivered with keener
appreciation of pleasure or pain than those
over which DIR. Deane tried TO be master.
He wished leisure now for study more
than he desired extensive practice, and
therefore he came back to the homestead,
beautified the neglected grounds, decorated
the lOng-clOscd rooms. built a conservatory
which Should open with wide doors from
his own especial sanctum, installed Aunt
Rachel" as hOusekeepcr, and announced
himself by modest doOr-plate, as ready
for surgical calls.
"Why not general medical treatment,
tOO?" queried Aunt Rachel.
" Because | want my time at my own
command for year or two. Surgery will
keep my instruments from ruSting, and
give me all | want to think about besides
my books"
The quiet life suited Aunt Rachel eX-
actly. She kept the house i'm exquisite
order: the Doctors table was perfect; his
buttons were never missing; his slippers
were always at hand; and his dainty toilet
arraHgements-fOr the Doctor was bit OF
an eXquisite-placed just as he liked to
have them. So his bachelor friends voted
him an extremely happy man, tasting all
the delights of life without wading through
petty worries TO obtain them. At the
house-warming all Ashland had eagerly as
sisted. whence il was well known that the
furnishing was elegant, and many longing
wishes 10 reign in the mansion as mis-
treSS. flied the heads Of aspiring damselS.
But DIR. Dcane, uniformly polite to every
body, showed no marked preference, and
when invited to parties managed either to
avoid attending or else to be only Aunt
Rachel'S escort: so the signing damSels
turned their hopes in other directions.
All his life Dr. Reginald had dreamed of
a "home" that should be " sweet" and
me fancidd the wife that should sit opposite
to him ut table and fireSide; but he hated
care and responsibility, and thought to
gain the home by establishing Aunt
Rachel where "a wife would have perhaps
given more pleasure, to be sure, but she
would demand too much time and atten-
ton he sclfishly thought. Six months
had gone very smoothly. vet he was con-
sciOus that, despite its luxury, his . home"
was incomplete. Winter was coming rap
idly. Long ago the naples had dropped
their scarlet leaves. and his artemiSiaS were
budded for their Christmas blOsSOming.
There would be long evenings when books,
read alone, would grow tedious, though
they were kings treasures " for wit and
wisdom: and he measily acknowledged
how nervous the everlasting click" of
Aunt Rachel's knitting-needles had already
grown.
All this was vaguely passing through
DIR. Reginald's mind while he slipped his
coffee and listened absently to the lady op-
pOSite.
The MarStons have come home" her
last remark. elected little closer attention
and definite reply.
Indeed! Well, we must call at once.
Fred is a very agreeable fellow: Mrs.
Marston the most perfectly well-bred
woman | ever saw, and Miss June-the
mischief, Why, she must be a young lady
now. I'm half sorry for that; | used to
have grand rOmps with her."
Aunt Rachel'S lip curlod; in her esti-
mate of feminine attractions "romping''
had no place, and the tone in which the
Doctor was answered was as wintry as the
November air outside.
Miss MarStOn is not in the least like
her mother. can hardly conceive how it
has been possible. under such training, for
her to be so utterly unconventional as she
isr'
"Have you seen them. then?'' asked the
Doctor.
Yes; / metthem Yesterday at my dress
makers, and positively Miss MarSton
shocked me by her queer ways. She is so
unconventional"
Indeed, :" in a quiZZical tone, came from
under the brown mOuStache opposite, while
the mouth behind it curled with derisive,
incredulous smile.
.NeS. said Aunt Rachel. unheeding the
tone: - she came in to Madame Foy'S. and
while she was sitting there the Madame
called one of her girls in from the work
room. 1t was Mary Niles, whose mother
was June'S old nurse. Mrs. MarstOn was
giving directions about her daughters
dress, but that Young lady rushed toward
the NO-k-girl, flung her arms round her,
and actually kissed her before all. Mrs.
MarstOn looked extremely annoyed, and
Madame sent the girl from the room at
once" Aunt Rachel waXed warm with
Indignation, but all the sympathy she re-
ceived was quiet
Pardon me, but fail to see any dread
ful indecorum."
why. Reginald No young lady of
any dignity would forget her social posi- |
tion so far as 10 do such a thing; and
then, while We We're on the street COM
ing home, she actually laughed aloud
twice" ..
"How loud? Did she alarm any one?''
teasingly demanded the doctor.
4" Nonsense. Reginald! You know quite
as we'll as ] do that giggle is intolerable:
Poor Mrs. Marston, June must be sad
trial TO her." l-L
"Well. Iconfess L don't understand such
panctilious rules. How dreadfully lmust
annoy you, Aunty
"Only when you light your cigars IN
the dining-room.r she answered; for the |
Doctor was choosing fragrant roll from
his cigar-case, and she did hate tobacco /
smoke. rr n ~ |
- won't do it. = he laughed; - but il Is
great selfdenial | must remember
among my requisites for wife that she
must enjoy vaporiZed Havanas."
" No lady will like her house perpetually 1
scented, Reginald. and You will never care /
for any less refined individual. am sure"
was Aunt Rachel's retort. as her nephew 1
saumtered of TO his sanctum to smoke in |
peace.