The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-08-27

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We had little music, some of Hattie's
Italian, to please her mother, a few ballads
for her father, and any thing and every
thing for me. Any thing short of q
fugue of Chopin's or the severity of the
old masters was rest to my musical eXpe-
rience.
Then talked to Bigby, or rather he talk
ed to me, of rural life andits surroundings
his lots and lands, strawberries and young
orchards; and | secretly grew glad to
think that in some quarter, however pro-
blematical it seemed to me, he must reap
the honest reward of his labors. With a
little more light wine, and lighter bis
cults, made by the pudgy, dimpled hands OF
handsome Mrs Bigby herself, the evening
ended.
As went down with my worthy host in
the morning, promised him | would visit
him often. And | vowed in my heart it
should be UeTy often.
A tailor, and the daughter of a tailor
Yes, even so; what mattcred it? She
might have been the offspring of prince,
and at all events it was the first oasis in IN,
desert of life, and needed to lie down in
the shadow of rock for rest.
SO commenced for me a dual existence.
paired it off pretty equally-went out TO
Bigby's by day, and to Gertrude's by
night. began to look upon Hattie as my
sister and Gertrude as my betrCthed, and
made all my arrangements to suit these
affinities. | admired Hattie, contided in
her, and informed her of the snares and de-
ceits that Law in wait for her in that world
upon the threshold of which she stood
wondering and charmed. Whereas with
GeI trude | strOve to infuSe in my manner
that tender solcitude that betOkened the
lover. I,perhapS, was not so successful in
this latter role as the former; but let any
one undertake this dual existence, and
he'll find out how difficult it is to keep the
two characters from infringing upon and
mingling with each other.
The Rev. Mr.. Cavendish was one of the
agents the gods chose for my discontinue.
The man was detestable to me. | abhOrred
his long-drawn signs and penitential
sniffle; the cut of his clerical coat was an
abOminatiOn to me, and his neck-clOth,
never properly folded, Jared upon my SEN
sitive taste. 1t had become positive bore
to find him. so often with Gertrude, bend
ing upon her similar regard to that with
which willy boa-cOnstrictOr envelOpS his
prey. He had persuaded her that her
knowledge of crayOns would be of use in
drawing the plans for the new chapel, and
he remained many hours with her, their
heads almost touching, their hands in close
proximity over these wretched drawings.
| decided when we married | would try to
convince Gertrude that her forte lay not
in architecture.
But was not prepared to say that |
cared to have the nuptials hastened-in
fact, the subject was very diStasteful to me.
Bigby had maintained a cOmmendable re-
ticence with regard to my private affairs,
and it was only in the bosom of his
delightful family could forget my
cares and the unhappy future in store
for me. As Gertrude was desirOus to
have the foundation for the new chapel
laid before we were married, and numer-
Gus parish duties weighed heavily upon
her. | was delicate about intruding upon
her valuable time. But the Bigbys were
always at leisure; of course Bigby him
self was engaged the greater part of the
day down town. and Mrs. Bigby was busy
superintending her household; buS Hat
tie had plenty of time to spare, and was
too young to 90 into society. | had told
Bigbv that the closer he adhered to his
own private circle the better it would be
for girl so young and impulsive as Hat
tie. So | was little annoyed when he
told me he thought of taking his wife and
daughter to another of''them charity con-
certs."
GU uO very NIOllO, DiSDN. L Sdlu.
reprOvingly. Hattie will be sure to at
tract idle attention, and | think you'll re-
gret it."
Pooh, pooh Mr.. Fithian," said the
good-natured father; ''we can't keep her
in glass case, you know"
Would TO Heaven we cOuld!
grOaned, and went in search of her.
| found her villa to 90. We were in the
Summer-house, and those little OctagOn-
shaped boxes force people into close prOX-
unity. She had never been so beautiful.
In her white dress, with a tear in each of
her soft blue eyes, she was the embOdi-
ment of womanly loveliness.
- Please let me go!'' she said, with her
white hands claspcd entreatingly.
! moved toward her impelled by a
strange magnetism. | was daZZled, con-
fused, bewildered.
"Why do you ask me" L stammered.
SIS my consent necessary to your happi-
ness?''
Yes, YES" she murmured Il could
not enjoy it otherwise!'' She stopped and
drew a long breath. felt it on my cheek,
and a sweet rapturous conjecture was sud
denly conceived in my heart. | sank
back, overwhelmed with the conviction
that loved her with mad, ungOvernable
ardOr.
= dim sense of disaster spoiled the dawn
ing ofmy first passion.
She looked at me with a sudden fear.
Il have wounded yOu," she whispered.
''Now shat is enough. | will not gOn'
You ,DiLLr' | cried; ''yOu shall But
with me, Hattie. love you, child!''
Then | took her in my arms and kissed
her, and went rapidly out of the summer
house. But before went home it was ar
ranged that she should 90 with me to the
concert, poor old Bigby giving wonder
ing but bland consent.
| determined, upon reaching my lOdg-
ings, to send little note to Gertrude,
stating my inability to be with her on
the night of the festIvity, but found upon
nv table note from her. | opened it
with languid interest; but upon reading
the first few lines | threw it down and
walked madly across the room. Her note
contained request that | would attend
her to a concert given for the benefit OF
the ST. Johns Chapel. 1t would be imme-
dately under the auspices of the Rever-
end Cavendish, she added; and that |
must be aware of its charitable intent and
purposes when she mentioned this name
to me.
This concert was the very one for which
Bigby had procured tickets, and to which
! was pledged to take Hattie.
l sank into chair, and supported a
daZed and bewildered brain with my trem-
bling hands. Whatever was to be done
must be done quickly, as the night of the
concert was close at hand, and it was cer-
tainly out of the question that | could go
with either party.
With a sort OF consciousness that the
task was about to perform was neither
an easy nor delightful one, seized pen,
and wrote thus to Hattie:
My DEAR LITTLE HATTIE-!n spite of all our
hopes and plans, can lake you TO the concert.
4 big goblin has stepped in and upset everything
can't tell you how inconsolabe am. Go with
your papa and mamma; but look straight on the
stage, and don't, with your rare loveliness, at
tract vulgar attention.
Yours jealously,
AUGUSTUS FITHIAN
Then. with a heavy sigh, putting aside
this little missive, l wrote thus to Ger
trude:
Ny DEAR GKRTRUDE-I ind it quite impossi-
BILE to go with you on Thursday evening. An
unpleasant but imperative obstacle forbids.
Yours always,
AUGUSTUS FIrHIAN.
Night was already upon me when | had
finished writing. Hurryinr the two notes