The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-06-11

looked around after the train moved
on. and saw dimly the long line of railroad
| track. small round building looming up
/ in the darkness, and a low woodshed
which stretched out and was lost in the !
/ gloom a few yards ahead. The clouds
were thick, and through them no glim-
mer from moon or star penetrated.
knew not which way to turn was in an
unknown region.
All at once foOtstep disturbed the sill
ence. Welcome sOundi I knew not
whether it proceeded from a friend or foe,
] but was glad.
A human form soon approached the
she'd
"Halloo" ] remarked, by way OF
making known my presence
"He-yi, who's that?" The speaker
stopped and stood still.
It's l." / answered. "Wherc am I?''
It's you, and where are you, hey
1 What do you want?''
:" YaEt 10 find my way to some lOdg
] ing-place.' | replied, I've been put of
from the cars. | lost all my money!
Ho no! You amt trying to come no
gum game, be ye? You'd better not, for
I've got a revolver handy"
BLAST your revolver! Ifyou're afraid,
90 and stand behind the wOodpile and tell
me the way to the nearest tavern
Tavern? There amt no tavern round
! here. This is Onlya wood and water sta
ton. tend it. Ifyou don't mind good
walk, though, you might 90 to old
Seelye's, a couple of miles up the road.
| groaned in spirit. ..r....
q" "Who is old 'Seelye, and how am to
| know his hOuSeY'
He's a sort of a halfway farmer that
sometimes takes in dodgers. YOu'n know
/ the house by its bein' the first one beyond
4 Col. Moggerton's." a-. 4--. IA
"ColOnel MOggerton's? Does he live
thereabouts?"
Il should saw that he did. somewhat.
He's tOPbly well known hereaboutS.
The mans tone was sarcastic, as if he
pitied my ignorance in not knowing Col.
MoggertOn. But he was mistaken. did
know him. only did not know where I
was. Col. M0ggerton WAS an-old friend of
our family. had seen him several times
at our hOHse, where he bad occasionally
came on a flying visit Ny father had also
been a guest under the COlonel's roof-a
pleasure | had never yet experienced. But
| felt pretty well acquajpted with him, and
the news of his presence within such a
short distance, came like balm to my trou-
bled spirit.
1.-TWO miles up this road, you say?''
" Yes, right straight ahead.n
"Thank you. would give you dol
lar if bad it, .|r.
my name is Pokey Hiland, posOfIice 4
address, GOrtOn Hollow, if you feel very
bad about it, he shouted, as | hastened
off, stumbling along strange and un-
known pathway.
| plOdded along Justify through that
long two miles. The prospect of meeting
an acquaintance was unSpeakably cheer I
ing; and notwithstanding [ frequently
cOllided with stumps, and made UMPIRE
meditated descentS into bitches, | proceed
ed with cheerfulneSS unabating. had lit (
tie doubt of being able to find Col. MOg
gerton's house, for had often heard it de-
scribed as large stone mansion.
In due course of time | reached my
wished for destination. To my great 10Y
it was lighted mp brilliantly. The inmates
had not gone to bed yet, and | would be .
spared the painful necessity of arOuSing
them from slumber.
There was a high fence, wide gate |
standing open, and "A broad gravel path. I.
wakedupa fight of stone steps, and dstood .
before an open door. The Spacious hall I
was empty, but from other apartments .
came the hum of voices. 1t must be that /.
they had company. This thought was a T.
little dispiriting, but gave the bell Wig /
orOuS pull.
\ blooming, pert-loOking country girl /
at once appeared. p FF H
4" Is this Col MoggertoH's residenee?" | /.
asked, as politely rs 1 knew how.
Right up stairs. sir. first door to the /
lefr," She replied, hriskly, and then hast !
cned away.
Hold on a minute!' [ cried, but She .
was out of hearing.
Ny only alternative was to follow her
direction and so 1 went up stairs, first
door to the lett. On entering the room
my suspicious as to what was going on
were confirmed. Numbers of coats and /
hats were strewn about Yes. it must be
that they had party. The girl had evil
IDENTIFY taken me for one of the invited /
guests, and given me directions according
ly. After standing still for a moment re-
viewing the situation, | became suddenly I
aware that the room had another occupant /
4 young man was seated near the bureau, !
with rather a detected expression on his !
face. lie was looking wistfully at my
hand-SatcEel. As our eyes met he eX-
claimed: %
"You haven't got such a thing as a
fourteen paper collar with you, have
YOU? [ was trying to kiss Sal WitherS .
down in the back yard, and she yanlled !
mine or
''Sal was too much for you, wasn't she: /
think | can accommodate you."
The young man was proftIse in his 1
thanks. Iadded
- | came in on the cars. Is there party /.
here?"
"Yes. SO you are not an invited guest. |
hey? Are you friend of the Colonel's?' /
"NeS. just came up to give him little /
surprise. had no idea what was going on |
| am glad you happened to be up here. |
| shouldn't have known what to do. ]
You must show me around and introduce I
me a little.'
An right: come along"
We passed through the parlorS and on /
into the dining-room. The apartment /
was all of a glow with merry faces, and .
fragrant with long table of eatables.
The supper was tinishedi in due time, and .
the other festivities commenced.
was leaning against the railing of the 7
front stOOp in a moody frame of mind, /
when the Colonel came along with hur- .
ried strides. bearing chair in each hand. .
Colonel MOggertOn 1 said.
" Hey what? Did YOU speaker He |
paused suddenly and wheeled about, facing /
me. s=
"Ges, sir. l spoke. How do you do, !.
sir?'' held out my hand.
How do by Jove! if it isn't Bent 7
ley! Where did you come from p
From home. [ thought | would make I
you little visit. didn't know you were
having party"
q Well. sir. I'm glad to see you. Have
you met my daughter:" asked the Colo
mel. ~
"NO-that is, have not been introduce /
ed to her"
wen see to that at once, then. Come
along"
He led the way i2to the parlOr, and bade 4
me follow him as he proceeded TO search /.
for Miss MOggertOn. She was soon found, I
the center of a merry group, and her father
dragged her forth. az
kate, this is Mr. Philip Bentley.
You've heard me speak Of his family. This
is my daughter Kate, Mr.. Bentley. There,
now, make yourselves comfortable. Imust
60 aud see the folks in the library"
He strobe of. leaving me face to face F.
with the most lovely girl, l thought, whom
| h3d ever met. Shehad full. white face. (