The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-07-08

asked:
"Can you readg''
You bet!
"Dyd you ever read the Bible ?"
"Noap; but I've read nine dime novels
clean through, and I'm going to buy
another to-night!''
"Do you know what Bible is?"
"Yes-it's sunthin' that preachers read
out Of"
While he was finishing off the heel 1
asked:
"You know that you must die some
dayw
icine, will I?"
"Yes, every human being must die some
day."
Gosh, that's meanH' he exclaimed,
| leaning back, and giving me a sharp look.
''And what will become of you when
| you die?' l asked as he worked the brush
into the backing.
BE put in a coffin.''
"What else?'
- Buried.7
What else!''
And then I'll rot,''
MY boy, didn't any one ever tell you
that you had sOul?''
He looked at the soles of his Gilapidated
shoes, shook his head, and answered:
"Ye want to git some joke on me ~
"Don't you know that you have soul
to save?''
"Oh, go 'long!''
He looked straight into my eyes for halt
a minute, then moistened the backing.
and went over the boot with the finishing
coat.
Didn't any one ever tell you," finally
continued, that there is hereafter?'
"After where?"
That the good shall be rewarded, and
the wicked punished ?"
'Noap."
8 Wouldn't you like to go to Heaven,
when you de?"
How couIdI? How could they draw
feller up there?"
My son, every one has a soul. You
| lave a soul, and"
"Bullyl Where is it?'' he exclaimed
dropping his brush.
fright here-here in your BOSOM"
He pulled open his old ragged vest and
his dusty, ragged shirt, and glanced down
Then he looked up at me with a suspi
cious look, picked up his brushes, and sci
] to work on my other boot without a word
in reply. He felt that l had deceived
/ him.
Would you like to be an angel ?'' 1 ask
| ed, after while.
Il couldn't bel hsin't a girl p he re-
piled. Il seed over forty angels in the
Black Crook, and all was girlsl'
"lf you live good life you can some
day be an angel. You must not swear, or
steal, or cheat, or lie."
Would | have wings on?'
eyes"
HCould tiv over a house9,,
eyes"
THAT 'ud be kinder NICE" he slowly
replied; "better'n catching a ride on the
bOb-tailed cars or climbing a treen'
There was pause. broken after a mo-
ment by his leaning back and asking:
"lf feler was an angel and flying
around would any of the boys dare shy a
rock at him?"
81 guess not"
because Bill Knox is down on me, and
he'd be throwing at me all the time My
dog licked his dog, and he says he can
lick mel'
Don't you know that it is wicked to
fight dOgs?"
Nav! 'Tain't wicked, is it, when your
dog licks?"
"Boys who fight each other will never
become angels" said as he bent to his
work again.
"Well, amt going to stand sass, am
~" he retorted. IS posen a feller called
you names and hit you in the back
Wouldn't you maui himP"
He had nearly finished the second boot
when 1 asked:
Wouldn't you like to go to Sunday
SCHOOL,"
What fur?" he replied.
"To learn how to be good"
When is Sunday-schOol?
"On Sunday"
81 guess | couldn't go-I want to be at
the depot and see 'em unload the circus !"
81 am sorry to see you living in such
state of ignorance, my son; wish -"
81 don't live therei" he interrupted
{. live in the Sixth Wardi'
But some one ought to take you in
charge and lead you into better paths.
It's awful to see a child of your age
lff-"
"Childl child II" he echoed. 81 licked
Jack Donovan yesterday. and he's sirteen
years old L guess | hain't much of
child!"
"If some one does not take you now, in
your young days, and SOW seeds of good
ness In your mind, you will end your life
on the gallOws."
"Tll bet don't!" he retorted, as he
packed up his brushes. "Do you know
what carry IN my pocket?"
"NO."
'sWell. that's full Of snuff, that pocket
is, and I'd like to see purleeceman try to
arrest mel"
"My boy, I'd -"
"Oh! gimme the scrip! They are
lookin' for the body of feller who fell IL
to the river last night, and | want to be
there when he's pulled out, SOS to see II
he's got his eyes open or shet
What shall be done with my heathenE-
| NJ. Quad, in Hearth and Home.