The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1875-06-03
THE LITTLE OLD MAN.
A LIFE SKETCH, BY MARY HARTwI

NAM
LIFE SKETCH, BY MARY HARTwELL.
The Little OLD Man is somewhat over
two tet high; has a plump face, red lips
usually puckeIed 10 whistle-and very
blue eyes; his yellow hair is iHclined TO
curl; he we irs pretty cloth suits, and an
swe's to the name of Wi lie. Ia short, he
might readily be mistaken for little boy
in his fifth year; his mother, l believe,
does consider him little boy, but his in
fantile APPEARANCE deceivcs nobody else.
So this st4id. mature fellow, when moving
along the pavements of his native town, is
greet,d d by his friends and answers to the
appellation of the Little Old Man.
The Little Old Man is wise in worldly
matters; he watches his father AMI all the
big men. and is careful to rule his conduct
by their example. Indeed. he sometimes
appears to pass them in matters requiring
foresight and skiilfIl handling.
1'he Little Old Man was sitting on his
fathers gate-post summing him self one day,
when he espied MIR. Osgood across the
street. Raising his voic the Little Old
Man called, Mr.. Osgood - vigorously,
until the gentleman was constrained 10
come Over and ak what was the matter.
Wait minute" said the Little Old
M n, Il We got somefin' I've been keep
in for you'll"
"Indeedr remarked Mr.. Osgood +;
"very kind of you, my Little Man"
It's way down in my pocket" putfed
the venerable yOungster, diving deeper
and deeper into his trowsers. There
lie drew forth peanut and presented it
TO his friend, As graciously as ever king
conferred Lnighthood on humble subject
did the Little Old Man confer this one lit
tie peanut.
Touched by such evident friendship and
self-sacritice. Alr. Osg0Od forced the pc =
nut back upon him. but the Little Old
Man in his turn forced the peanut back
upon Mr.. OSgood, so that the latter was
obliged to accept it, and TO button it up in
his vest pocket together with the disinter-
estcd generosity it seemed to express.
"Tbank you, my son, thank YOU,
thank you :" said Mr.. OSgood, turning
with smile. made happier for the mo-
nent by rejecting that there were little
ones, az least, in the world who had no
axes u grind.
Il say. wait a minute, Mr.. Osgood," :"
cried the Little Old Man, "'see herei next
time you 90 10 af stible won't you buy
me tia trumpet ?'
The Little Old Man knew what tender
periods he might take advantage Of, TO
exact the service and homage due his age.
He once bawlel the whole length of the
avenue after young and stylish DIR. Green,
who was walking with pretty cousin OF
the Little Old Man. The dOctor-fervent
in serving any member of the family
made haste to run to his assistance.
Tie my shoe. ye strings broke" CON-
manded the Little Old Man, offering foot
TO the ardent suffer who was seeking a
hand ...
In his ramble., this venerable juvenile
: one day entered boot store and was
struck by the fact that his feet were not
arrayed in Il manner becoming his age and
station.
Il want pair o. boots" said the Little
Old Man, sitting down and pulling off his
muddy shoes. II fink III take VEN up
'ere!;
so making his choice, and calling the
merchant TO his assistance, he thrust his
feet into the new boots and walked of.
Astonished was he to learn i'm the course
of the evening. from a grave conversation
which his father held with him, that he
wronged the merchant by his boot trans
action, inasmuch as he had seized boots as
booty.
merchants do not give away their
wares" explained the father. They
want money for what they offer you"
The Little Old Man-ripe in his sense of
ju>tice-af er his brcakiast made haste TO
carry his Nest Egg" to the dealer in
leath,r and 10 shake from il every one Of
the ninet en- coppers it contained; thus
sa'i'h ing justice though he left himself
pennilessl
Poverty did not sting. however, until
with hands in empty pockeis he drew him.
self up before the conf, ctioner's NiGdOw,
realizing deeply the laws of trade which
he so lately learned. Bat the Little. Old
Man was not 10 be deprived of sweets for
his tooth il they did cost an equivalent.
His fortune was Invested in bootS, and
boots must be his bank. He entered into
and made q generous purchase, pulled of
his boots and set them on the counter be-
fore the astonished dealer, and hugging
his parcels. logged contentedly homewarj
in ms stockings.
Ga one occasion a great desire for leo
rice root possessed the Little Old Man, but
he felt quite bankrupt.
But bold in the conscious possession OF
virtue aud an mGulgent papa, he demand
ed five cents worth y at the hand of :
eomplaisant druggist, and gave him s
"good day in return.
Here, my little man." called the drug
gist, haven't you any money to pay fol
this?"
"0h, yes,' replied the Little Old Man
filling lIis mouth and smiling eneourag.
ingly.
"Well. where is it?"
=" In my faigther's pa.rkst," munched
the Little Old Man.
AS passing months added wisdom to
his mind, however, this youthful sage
perceived the advisability of staving OF
future poverty and reinstating his credit.
So he entered into business relations with
friend of his fathers. named MT. Cole.
For certain services rendered to Mr.. Cole
he received that gentleman's note of hand
for the sum of one cent, United States
currency. and waited a discouraging
length of time for the debtor TO pay down
the hard money. Bat as Mr.. Cole en-
loved his constant dunning and seemed
determined never to redeem the note,
the Little Old Man was driven to severe
measures.
Ringing his debtors door bell, three
times day. and calling on him for pay
ment both private and pubic, only TO Be
laughed at. became uncomfortable. SO one
day when Mr.. Cole was entertaining Q
party of friends. the Little Old Mar
nounced down upOn him, leading q grin.