The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-03-11


The supper passed off very pleasantly,
for little Jenny certainly was the liveliest
little girl had taken down to supper for
years. She was chatty, too. and full of re-
partee and mirthful remark; while Smith
grew silent and staid. fa 81
''ThOse children have completely tired
you out. Mr.. Smith, - said Mrs, Jennings.
And Smith sighed, and said, "No, not
at ALL"
But he kept very quiet all the same !;
and when we went off together, about
twelve, there was hardly word spoken
on the way to our chambers. I. 80 e
saw Smith again and again during the
next two months, and could not help re-
marking that a change had come over
him.
Its your liver, L think old fellow /
said I" let me write you a prescription %
mo, no." he said, '' it isn't my liver.
I'm as well as can be. LtsE
Ishook my head. But as he did not seem
disposed to give me his confidence, L did
not press him and time slipped on, with
the poor fellow growing more quiet day
by day. -
1 think told you Smith was an artist.
He was but in a diLettante kind of way.
He was barr1ster by rights; but he did
any, but spent his time writing smart lit
tie articles and Uers de societe for we'll
known magazine. Smiths chambers
were in the Temple, up at the top of one
of the ranges of buildings, where he could
enjoy capital view of the river and en-
b lnkment; and many were the pleasant
evenings we had spent there together.
Ii happened one day during the present
autumn, that being by Temple Bar, en-
countered couple of ladies turning up
the one sided remains of Bell-yard, and
one of them asked me If that was the way
into the Temple. fastened to set them
right. and then / recollected that the
chrysanthemums were on show.
well" / said, I'll go and have look
at them for once myself"
And | crossed the road, and had a good
look at the sad, autumnal plants, which,
gaily as they are colored, have an air of
funeral state, and look solemn, and smell
strangely, as if they were collected to dec
crate the obsequies of the dying year.
had finished my inspection, when
Halo, DOLBY said CHEEKY voice,
"where are you going" ~
u was just going to see Smith," L re-
piled, shaking Jennings heartily by the
hand.
| here tic Mlic anu uc
said and the next moment was paying
my court to the ladies', and talking of the
| flowers, ending by saying that the fairest
one was there in the form of Miss Jenny.
% say,' said Jennings, ''let's go and
storm Smith,"
"Oh, no, Tom" began Jenny.
"Why not?'' said Jennings. He'll be
delighted to see us-won't he, Dolby ?''
"That I'll answer for" l said; and a
few minutes afterward we were climbing
| the cold stone stairs of Chancellor's build
ings, and passing dismal oak doors.
As neared the top fioor-for was sent
on first, by way Of a pioneer-I became
aware of the fact that the door was aiar,
and heard Smiths voice but, as he was
! evidently repeating something to himself
as if learning it, / had no hesitation in lis
tening, especially as we were such old
friends. But paused on the threshold,
for this is what met my eye:
Smith, in short Jacket and slippers,
was kneeling on the carpet before an easy
chair, in which he had stuck the bolster
from his bed, and on the top of it was his
smoking cap with its long tassel.
" Amateur theatricals," said to myself
-''rehearsal."
But the next moment | was dumb with
astonishment, for Smith went on
dearest Miss Grey, since the first night
when l beheld you at your sisters house,
/ have madly, passionately loved you.
Here. then. kneelIng at your feet, | make
you the offer of my heart and hand"
"That isn't so bad, I" he muttered. ''Let's
try again."
! And so intent was he that he did not
hear the fresh steps on the landing, while
| | malciously allowed Jennings TO lead
Miss Jenny close TO where stood, when
| held her hand, and let her listen as the
poor fellow went on:
dearest Miss Grey, since the first night
when beheld you at your sisters house,
7 have madlv. Dassionatelv loved you.
Here, then, kneeling at your feet, | make
you the offer of my heart and hand"
bravo, Smithy," said, throwing open
the door. "rhat's pretty perfect. Now
go through it again with the lady,"
I'm afraid it was rather malicious,
though il may have been some wicked imp
prompting me. At all events, did the
deed; and those two looked at me as il
they wished to crush me out of existence,
while Jennings roared with laughter, and
Mrs. j. said it was great shame.
Little Jenny was very indignant. but
she carried it off well; aud as soon as
Smith had got over the surprise, he knock
ed the bolster off the chair. and tried to
sest Mrs. Jennings in it. But Jennings
was too quick, and popped the little sister
there, to her infinite confusion.
| We had refreshments and pleasant
chat. during which | said TO Smith:
Don't look like that, man. when
brought the real thing here"
| saw it plainly enough nOw-cynical
Smith had been most desperately gone
with Jenny, who liked him too; but, af-
ter the fashion of some young ladies, snub-
bed him and kept him at bay. After the
meeting, though, at his chamber, and the
discovery of his rehearsal, Jennings was
not long, aided by his wife. in arranging
for the proper acting of the drama. Sc
Smith declared, was accepted, the play
came off, and was one of the actors-best
man was my part; and could not help
thinking how pleasant it would be if some
! little Jenny would take pity on my forty
five years and grey hairs, make me as
happy man as was Smith upon his we'd
ding day.
The rehearsal, though, is standing
Joke: and the sticking up of a sofa pillow
whenever we may meet, is sure to bring {
red flush into the cheeks of Mrs. Smith
and declaration from her that il is toe
lad for any thing.
Poor Smith how he ought to have
thanked us for bringing mtaters to ;
climax.
Experiments with Honey.
| oontr;butor 70 tba C-;,aJ;6. American