The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-02-11

ncT WOHt. sun enc fnuTuitlftu uOt. nUi
did her kindness 70 her father grow less.
80 God help me 10 love nay father
she prayed one night. LET not my grief
make me forget my duty"
And the old man heard it.
One night Noah came home from the
city. and in his hand he bore small trunk.
He barred the door, and drew the tattered
curtains close.
"See," he said, as he opened the trunk
and piled the new bank notes upon the
table. "LoOk there, Agnes, and see how
have worked in nv lifetime. had no
education, but I've laid up my money
How many men would
sell me all their brains tonight for this /:
See -One wo-three-fOur-
five. Count them, Agnes; there's thou
sand dollars in each package"
Agnes counted them over, -fOr she
thought her father wished it, and she made
fifty packages.
"Why have you taken it from the bank,
she asked.
$40 let it, my child--to let it at a pound
interest, Agnes. shall double it, darling
double it-dOuble it,"
And while the old mans eyes sparkled
with evident satisfaction, his child wore a
sad, sorrowing look. And long after that
she sat and looked at the working features
of her father, and prayed that the gold
fiend would set him free.
When Agnes retired she left her father
up; but ere long she heard him put his
little trunk away and then go to his bed.
And then she slept.
Hark what sound is that? Agnes starts
up in affrighs and listens. But see I! a
bright light is cleaning out into the night,
and thick volumes of smoke pour into the
garret.
Fire! firel' sounded voice from the
entry. and she hears the sharp cracking
now. and feels the heat. Agnes. my
child!" And in another moment she
meets her father upon the stairs. He is
dressed. bur she is not;
''1'ake your clothing, Agnes, and you
can put it on in the entry. The house is
all on fire."
In few minutes more the father and
child stood in the road, the latter with a
bundle of clothing in her hand while the
former held a small trunk. They gaZed
upon the burning building, but neither of
them spoke.
And others came running to the scene,
but no one tried to stay the flames. And
the effort would have been useless had it
been made, for the old shell burned like
finder. But more still-nO one would
have made the effort, even had success been
evident, for the miserable old hut had too
long occupied one of the fairest spots in
the village. There were no other build
ings to be endangered, so they let the thing
burn.
You have your money safe" said
Agnes.
"Yes. See, took the trunk. l lcst the
candle burning so that could wa; ch it,
But got the trunk !" And as he spoke
he held it up and gazed upon it by the
flaring ruins.
THAT is not the trunk" whispered
Agnes in alright.
Mot" But the old man spoke no
further. lie saw that he had taken the
wrong trunk. This was only filed with
old cards and dusty receipts.
"Ruined! Lostr' groaned Noah Bre-
men, as he turned from the scattered en-
bprs. 81 had 500 600 in that trunk! and
where is it now?''
.'Never mind" said Agnes, winding her
arm about her fathers Leck, = well be
happy without it,
"What?' uttered Noah Bremen, gazing
into Walter Adams face Do you mean
IN you will give me a home, too? That
you will provide for me and keep Ine?"
Yes returned the youth, hopefully,
= never could bc happy with Agnes,
much aS iOye her. if | thought her poor
OLD father had no home. Come, Wen live
together, and be as happy as the days are
long
But your salary. young man."
''IS sufficient for us, sir. have 81, 600
a year. We can live on that, and lay up
something, too"
'HWell. well-take her, love her, be good
to her, make her happy, don't ev,r-"
When the old man saw the joyous tears
leap from his child's eyes he turned away
ami walked quickly from the house: but
he was not so quick but that he heard the
blessing that followed him. And when he
walked alone beneath the starry heavens
be wiped his eyes, as though something
troubled him.
Gay rs lark was gentle, beautiful Ag-
mes when she became the wife of Walter
Adams. The rose bloOmed again upon
her cheek and the smiles were upon her
happy face. like sunshine, all the day long.
"DO you pray to God to help you TO
love me now - the old man asked, after
she had lived with Walter some months.
"Why-what do you mean?" asked
Agnes, in surprise.
You used to pray so, for have heard
yOu," returned Noah.
4 moment the young wife gazed into
her parents face. and then she answered.
while she threw her arms about his neck
"Oh. Ipray that you may be spared TO
us for long years in peace and happiness (;
you? Oh! | could not help it if
| should try. And Walter loves you,
loves you very much, for he
has told me so manv times"
There was something more than usual
in the old mans eye now.
One evening, as the happy trio sat at the
tea-table, Walter looked more thoughtful
than was his wont.
What is it, love?" Agnes asked.
''Oh-nothing," the husband said, with
a smile. I" was only thinking"
But of what ~
"Only castle-building-that' all"
sin the air, Walter 2" asked Noah.
"Yes-very high in the air." the young
man remarked with a laugh.
but tell us what it Is"
swell, I'd as soon tell YOU as not. Mr..
OSgoOd is to retire from our firm in few
days. He is well advanced i'm life, and
has made a fortune in the business, and he
will live now for conf lrt and hea tn alone.
He has not been very well of late years"
And is that all?''
YES"
But what castle in the air is there
about that ?''
" Oh, that isn't the castle.''
"Then what is the castle?" urged the
old man playfully.
H"Why, simply this" said Walter,
laughing, but yet almost ashamed to tell
it; - this noon Mr.. OsgoOd patted me on
the shoulder and said he-in his playful
way Walter, I'll sell you all my inter
est here for Sl00,000.'"
4" Ha. ha. ha.'' laughed Noah Bremen
"a and YOU thought he was in earnest"
No, no, quickly returned the young
man. II did not think that-though
know that the other two partners would
willingly have me for an associate"
"But it seems TO me that old OSgood
holds his share in the concern at high
figure"
"Oh. no. 1t is very low one. There
is a clear capital of $500, 900 in the business
at this very moment; and then think o.
all the standing debts and good will which
goes for nothing"
.'Ha, ha, ha," laughed the old man
aorain