The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-03-04


was tellin' man what my father was, and
I szld he a0asn'f neither' And She"
What's your father name -
ssJee Trestle." ~
Joe gulped a throat full of air.
"And she ketched me by the arm, and
put me right in their hall. Oh, you don't
know how awful its They're behind
iron winders but they look into the hall
and yell and make faces, and grab like
they'd tear yer to piecesI l got down in
corner, with my dress over my head, and
said over and over TO myself what grand
ma Lane teached me-"
I" What is thats"
ssFor we look for a better country,
It's in big book she calls the Bible. 1t
tells q heap Of things, but she says that
over the most So, says 1--WE look for
better country-a better countryl' and
il made me think OF another kind of a
place"
whats your name 2" asked Joe, trem-
ulously.
"Sylvie Trestle."
" Pm your father, amt -" put in Joe,
humbly.
"Yes, / knowed it,"
'ffIe storm was at IuII height. 1t was
the autumnal equinox. and full of fury.
The little girl shivered. Joe crouched
nearer, and felt for her shaggy head. He
got it against his shoulder, and cooed soft.
ly to hi child.
Do you h tie meT'
"No,n said Sylvie, . like vel" cud-
ding her hands under his neck, thus
reaching and wringing Joe Trestle's
heart.
:. And I've got a little grill And that
woman buses her! And / might be put
tin as good house as any OF 'em over
her this minute instead of bein' like pig
There's nothin' and nowheres for us
now ~ he muttered to himself; the child
caught his last words, and answered, turn
ing up quick face
Yes, there's the better country"
The better country had sieZed strongly
on her Imagination.
"Oh! that amt for nobody but reli-
gious folks, and they've got to die on the
square to get in. That's nowhere for
mel"
"Grandma Lane said" propounded Syl-
vie, rising to her subject and her parents
ear, ''that the better country's for the
people of God, and them's whoever come
| to Him !"
yes, / know, church folks. They've
| had me up and tried to religious me. But
]
mustl Wish there was place where |
could do BETTER | think thoughts, but
that didn't mend me. Amt clean enough
for this world, and what show is that for
gittin' into better Oney'
Joe Trestle saw himself sneal6ing before
the Lord of Worlds!
Sylvie laid out her simple creed. 1t was
a rope of only two strands: " We look
for a better country through Him who
died for us. And though no unclean thing
may enter there, He washes the unclean,
making it fit to enter"
1t penetrated Joe Trestle to the quick.
And the deluge penetrated to his bones.
"Seems to me we're gittin' swamped,
Swivel Don't you feel as if you was set
| tin in waterp
"Yes."-and with quick perception,
"it's the Runl it's over the banks J"
Sand we're hived here on the low side.
with an arm of the stream 'twlXt US and
the bluff was so drunk forgot! Oh
Lord, child, we're hemmed in by water
Sylvie began to cry fearingly; Joe fon-
died her and felt courageous. Holcing
I hands they CROPPED round the tree; such a
current washed their ankles they dare not
venture far. Lightning showed them
they were in the midst of a muddy sea,
"We've got to climb for'tw said Joe.
1t seemed hours before he got his little
girl above the gathering wave, and hours
again before his lax muscles dragged him
after her. They sat on sycamore limb
he gripping her TO him, and watched the
waves though flashes, like two refugees
from Noah's flood.
''What is it about your better coun
trv?" asked Joe.
1--WE look for better country"
1t was a long night. His child was very
heavy on his arm. They were both stupe
fled with chills, and Joe was no wiser, M
stronger than Sylvie. He had weakened
his flesh and softened his courage but h,
held on, and the strong desire to save hi
child cleared the mists Of drink away.
"wake up, grille ~ begged Joe of tn
little one nestled under his wing; "'frait
this holler trunk is going to be swept off
Did We say We didn't like your good-for
nuthin' fatherf
{" Liked himl" corrected Sylyie, cling
, ing feebly.
"LOrd bless my little 'rtn, and look a
me ~
A twist-a crack The run was flowini
, like mill-dam?
These two were alone-far from help
People were housed and happy, in town
and farm-houses, sleeping under the wing
of the good God who keeps all His.
"What is't ag'n, girlie!' breathed Joe
ave look for better"
Then the world came to an end to thes
two; when breaking timber, cold, rapi
water, bruising logs, confused their bal
Ting souls, Joe kept tight hold OF his littl
Girl. He struck out for support, bu
could not sce-was Whirled and blinded
+ Ii was not for long, though.
For presently, still clasped to one al
other. they f1oated down stream, an
into better country l-Locke's Nationt
Monthly.