The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-10-08

here for L saw Smashup'S failure IN TIL
mornings paper. and knew that most o
your money was invested in his business
know you want some of my money t
help you out; know that you think if yOl
had some of it on long time, Jones nigh
be able TO boost you up again and yOl
could go on living your old aimless life
and society wouldn't know how near yol
came to losing every thing. You MAJ
think ii a little harsh in me, but not a pen
ny of my money shall you have, ever
were YOU to pay me compound interest
doubly compounded. | don't mean tC
have anv hand in making a complete no
body of you; and to tell you the truth
I'm not sorry your money is gone
You've chance now to show what you're
made Of-whether it's putty or something
tougher. Ifyou're a SOmers you'll make
a man of yourself that can't be gotten uI
by any tailor in the land and the Brown;
were not far behind in enterprise, though
do think the Somerses had a little the
most energy"
Miss Selma stopped fora breathing spell
besides she was conscious that in her yea
she had mixed her sentences little, and
this was matter of grave importance tC
her. If she had vanity, it was in the
matter of correct speaking.
Brown did not reply for some time. In
truth he knew not what to say. 1t was
the first time he had ever been told quite
so plainly that he was a nobody, or fast
becoming one. Aunt Selma had never
before ventured quite so far, although she
was given at all times to plain speaking
He hardly knew whether he was angry OF
not, so many conflicting emotions possess
ed him.
"But. aunt" he said, Mt last, "I'm en-
gagged to be married, and don't see what
| can do. can't get any sort of situa-
ton that'll keep me, to say nothing OF q
wife,
Him; | suppose not. Who is the
girl? One ofthe fashionables ~
Yes: Len Smiths daughter, Laura
She's the blonde, you know"
" No, don't know. Ten to one shell
tilt you, row your money is gone"
"NeUer, aunt Selma. She has often said
she should love me all the better if had
nothing but my heart to offer"
"lpresume so. I've heard such re.
marks before"
Why. aunt Selma, you haven't any
faith in anything" Brown said this petu.
lantly.
No; haven't in anything but honesty
and integrity. Perhaps [ am wrongin9
the girl. She may be as true as you think
| am sure hope so. You have need Of
something to keep your courage up"
As Miss Selma said this she put away
her knitting, and with a kind good
night" left the room.
Brown soon went to bed, but not to
sleep. All night he tossed upon his pill
lOw-his brain busy with a thousand
hopes, plans, and fancicS; at one moment
! TO hn1Ilr- an1 alya n
man Ofhimself; and the next utterly dis
cOuraged at the thought of the dreary way
before him. 1t was the first time he had
ever been obliged to think for himself:
and the dawn found him haggard and
weary with the rush and uumult of con-
flicting hopes and fears. But the morning
brought rest and pleasant dreams, in one
of which Ethel Wynne's hand was in his,
and her voice whispering courage" in his
ear; dream so sweet that he was hall
angry with the servants who awakened
| him to breakfast.
! The dream seemed like good augury.
and Brown was half inclined to laugh at
the fears of the night, and accept poverty
as rather pleasant thing after all.
| The memory of this dream, together
with the story of Ethel Wynne's life, came
back to him many time in the years that
succeeded, and they fulfilled their portent
| for with each remembrance they whis-
pered courage"
Miss Somers greeted her nephew cor
daily. Having had her ''say Out'' the
night before, she was now ready to do all
in her power for his welfare; in truth she
was sOIrier for him than she would admit,
and was inclined to blaTe herself for heI
harsh words. So she strOve to make
amends by giving him a most delicious
/ breakfast, and adding as sauce piglante,
pleasant discourse and cheerful face.
Brown was not to leave Somerdale un-
/ til the four p. m. train that day, and after
breakfast was over, Miss Somers, putting
some garden implements into his hands,
told him to follow Miss Wynne and her
self to the garden. He complied gracious
| ly, and under his aunt's supervision, he
and Miss Wynne were soon digging up
and sorting bulbs together. Something
whether it was in the freedom that a COM
mon occupation usually engenders, or in
the subtle sympathy of their natures, or in
/ the similarity of the Notwithstanding
opened Browns mouth to speak of his
! fortunes and misfortunes, and long before
/ the p. m. train was due, Ethel Wynne
was in possession of the most important
/ facts of his history, and had been asked for,
and had given, counsel that was wise and
good.
Between the two natures, that of his
aunt's, sharp and rasping, but well mean
/ ing and generous, and that of Ethels.
brave and steadfast, but sympathetic and
gentle-Brown's head had been purged OF
some false and ruinous notions by the time
he was steaming back to the city. Jones
met him at the depot, and judging from
Browns contented face, began 10 cOngrat-
ulate him on his success.
mot so fast, JONES'" said he; my sue
cess has been in another direction" and
then he told him the story of his stay at
Somerdale.
"It is the best thing that ever happened
you," said Jones, heartily, grasping his
hand. "If you want any help, Pm your
man."
"Thank you. You may sell my horses
and the dog-cart for me, if you will. |
think I'll keep the ponies and the phaeton
a while longer"
"And Laura Smith ?'' said Jones, inter-
negatively.
Il shall see her tonight OF course
the wedding must be put off. suppose
can find something to do. l don't cTe
much what it is, only so | am capable OF
/ uOlllS IL.
Good for your' and Jones's words
were pointed with beaming look of admi-
ration.
Brown took his way to the Smith man.
sion that night, whittier the story of his
losses had already preceded him, and was
met by the announcement that Miss Laura
was on the eve of departure for Europe
and really couldnot see him, but wanted
he should accept . good-by from mann
ma instead"
"Am to understand that Laura posi-
lively refuses to see me?" asked Brown
unsteadily.
"Yes and was requested to hand you
these"
Then this is final ?''
Final" And Madame mere bowed
him out of the reception room with a su.
perlatively frigid air.
'Alas for faith in womankindi " were
Browns words as he put the little packet
upon his dressing table, and sat down te
contemplate his position. Surely it wa;
not happy one: his money gone, his love
rejected, and his way to fight through q
not too generous world. And then &c
think that there was no truth in woman
this hurt him worst of all. But even Is
he said it. his thoughts reverted TO Somer