The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-05-13

dishonest aciiong No, dear Robby.
cannot believe YOU have really taken ad
vantage of Mr.. Harder's ignorance -
= Katie, paid him every dollar Ia,
asked"
"IIe was not aware of its value wher
he sold it =
"Of course / was not foolish enough tC
tell him then"
Katie still repeated her sorrow. and al
Bobby's brilliant castles were swept away
Earnestly and eloquently he spoke to heI
of wealth and fame and happiness. Their,
was winsome magic in his words, ant
Katie sadly listened
- sincerely wiz, love, that all YOU tel
me could be realized. Ii is impossible un.
der these circumstances. You must undo
your bargain, . she finally said.
~ cannot dot, Katie. i have hidden
farewell to toll and privation. You will
now have reason 10 be proud of me.
! Wealth will overcome all the obstacles il
my path, replied AtchsOn as firmly.
| Drawing her hand from his tender clasp,
the little woman looked him sadly but de-
| cidedlY in the eyes.
"DO you love me, Robert Atchison?''
"'Oh, Katie, how can you ask?,'
"Then you must choose between me
and the coal-beds, for | will never marry
! you until you have repaired this wrong"
| A look of astonishment came over the
young mans face, and for moment he
felt like wayering; but the sense of his
treasure and all il brought with it came
! over him, and he only said
Katie. this is foOlishness. | thought
you loved me too well TO accuse me of
wrong-dOing. / do not think | ought to
give up TO you IN this thing. Your idea
ofTi"hti is unnecessarily exalted
t'1hen must say farewell. Bobby,
though it freaks my heart. am sure you
viii come to your right mind before it is
too late"
Katie, you are speaking cruel words to
one who loves you"
Il am only saying truthful ones"
. You are firm?"
Firm as the rocks"
"Thcn good by" He arose and quick
ly left her without one tender look or
word.
This faulty hero of ours slept but little
that night. He was torn by invisible
hands Of mighty strength. On one side
he saw fame and wealth, while. beautiful
happiness stood upon the other, lowering
near sweet Katie Saddon. -
Oh, these secret battles, how terrible
they arci No noise, no swOrd-clashing,
no cannOn-boOming no display-yct
more fearful than fleshly battles by far.
Robert AtchisOn's struggle was grave
one. Alternately striding up and down
the floor of his chamber, then throwing
himself upon his couch, he fought the
enemy through the long hours of the
night. He had dreamed so long of wealth
he burned to see the great world outside
the hills that hcdged him in. He lOngcd
10 see and know the great men whose
books he loved so well, and learn of them
the mighty secrets of Nature which re-
manned locked to him alone. Money
would bring the consummatiOn of these
desires and greater things. This money
was now offered TO him in quantities far
beyond his widest hopes or dreams. He
could not, he would not yield the prize TO
another. What did old Jacob Harder
want with money? He was old and
miserly and-but just here came the
specious pleading of Eugene Aram
into his mind. Think as he would,
turn and struggle and wrcstle, one
good angel seemed to hover near. He
could not shut out the pleading eyes OF
Katie Saddon. Could he give her mp ?
With wealth and position secure, could he
enjoy them deprived of her society? No,
no, a thousand times. Thus she saved
him, as thousands of good women before
her have saved the men they loved from
evil.
When the bright morning sun kissed the
brow ofthc hill, and smiled on forest and
field with kindly favor, Robert Atchison
threw wide open door and easement as if
TO banish the evil spirits of the night, and
left his chamber a victor. He had battled
against the "roOt of all evil" and had
bravcly conquered. From that moment
he knew he was a moral hero, and success
was his.
Jacob Harder was surprised to see his
neighbof .Atchison so early in the morn
ing, and SO he told him. --..
~ have come on important business. |
wish you TO release me from our con-
tract "
- IIumph. Won't do it, said the old
man SentcntiOuSly.
However, when the young man told
him what great riches lay concealed be-
meath his barren soil he pricked up his
ears and rubbed his hands in unSpeakable
glee. Eagerly he nullitied the contract, and
not one word expressive ofgratitude gave
he TO the young man who had SO enriched
him; not ono thought of offering to share
the great riches with him. And Bobby.
ter his head on this subject. He knew the
character of Harder too well; besides, !
when his better genius prevailed, all the !
good, the noble, and the true. of which |
there was no little in him, rose to the sur |
face, aud the only thought that occurred |
was TO repair all wrong. But was he not |
repaid a thousand-fold in the glad, happy !
welcome of sweet Katie Slddon? All his |
was forgotten. and he felt |
that greater peace and content awaited |
him i'm the places where she led the way |
than in all the abo1eS of fame and pleasure |
if she were not to share them with him.
Shall the story end here? No, else it |
were but half told, Such heroiSm de |
served reward, and Atchison received il. |
Not a week later he again found coal-thiS /
time on his own land-and when the com.
pany which bought out Jacob Harder was /
one of the stockholders was
poor Bobby Atchison;' and so confident |
were they of his strict integrity that he |
was unanimously ,lected president. This |
position he hOnOrably held for two years |
then he was rendered the prOfesSorship of
geology in one of our leading colleges, |
which position he accepted, and soon he |
and his brave little wife won golden opin-
ions.
Thus he grew in favor. Soon the presi- |
dency of the college was made vacant by
death, and he was elected to fill that chair. !
No less distinguished as an author than
a teacher, the world has learned TO apprc
ciate him.
"All am is due to you, dear little wife,
who rescued me in my greatest time of
peril.''
Aud may all who are tempted come as
safely through Hearth and
Home.
The sale of autographs which took place
in London on March IL amounted to eI.-
275, although it included only 2ll lots. !
The most remarkable were: Addison. !
e24; Duke of Buckingham. ell los. z; |
Lord Byron, ell; Robert Burns. eco: /
q q harina nf 4 70 non eI2. (nhnrlr.- .,f