The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-06-22
DEPARTED DAYS.
BY JOHN OAKUNI.


In the year of our Lord 1867, there
came to work at No. las Broadway a
thin, prematurely old and gray, young
man of not more than 26 years. No
one seemed to know any thing about
him, and he soon dropped into our
ranks and came and went day after day
without eliciting much interest on the
part of those around him. He was
very quiet, and seldom spoke unless
addressed, but then in a low and sweet
ly musical voice That he was intelli-
gent and we'll educated every body con-
ceded, but be manifested no disposition
TO mix with the general throng, aTG
thus it happened that the gener"
throng, without thinking much about
1t, came to speak of him with more re-
spect than the appellation given him
would imply as "0ld George Phipps,"
and to leave him pretty much to HIM
self. He sat right across the aisle from
me, and | often studied his sad though
pleasant face, and ere long put his
name down with those of some other
men | had met, and whom may brief
ly describe by stating that they were
men with histories. Yes, | was moder-
ately sure that George Phipps had a
history, and | longed to know what it
was, and give him my young and boy
ish friendship for all that ii was worth.
But months passed, and we knew no
more of our associate than we did when
he came, except chat he was a magnif-
cent operator, and that he was as sweet
as n day In June, though as sad, as
have Indicated, as the melancholy and
signing days of the later autumn. His
voice and manner always reIninded me
of the falling of the hectic October
leaves, the surging of the autumn wind
through leatiess branches. But the
glorious sunbeams were always resting
on his head, making sweet and lovable
his life and character. ~ L.'- 4
One night we had severe sleet storm,
and hardly q wire was left intact in any
direction The iull force had been oi$
dered on duty waiting for the lines 10
come 40. K.n and sat about in little
knots, telling stories, and speculatipg
on the chances of being kept on daty!
until morning. For . time l Termed
one of little company, but not being
particularly interested in the topic of
discussion, and seeing George Phipps
sitting alone, l approached him. After
n short exehaRge-Of c9mmonplaces,sI
asked abruptly:
n,''. :" Are ., you a !. married "a man. Nr,
Therepfy1came slowly No. 200
If that little monosyllable had been
kept on ice for a century it could not
have been colder. saw that L had
been imprudent, that had awkwardlY
touched a chord in the mans heart that
was sacred. l was sorry, and being
very young and inexperienced in hiding
my emotions, l made failure of it.
The tears came into my eyes, my lip
trembled and l felt wretehed. He saw
the state OF things at a glance, and said
kindly:
81 beg YOUR pardon, John. didn't
mean to berude, but / had Just been
thinking of events scarcely six years old,
but such bitter hopeless memories that
il seems as if | had lived a thousand
years since The page on which they are
written was turned down in the book of
Fate-turned down forever.n
He paused, aud I said nothing. al
have never spoken of these things" he
continued, abut | think was some
thing like YOU at 90; how sadly have
changed since theni"
He stopped again, and then continu-
ed: " | don't mind telling you my story,
if YOU would care 10 hear it," and as l
eagerly answered, edo tell me, d" he re-
sumed: q Il is sad story, my little
friend it concerns a woman. Some say,
hearts do not break; others,
that women's hearts do some-
times, but that a mans is tough,
and can bear disaster to the affec-
tions without material injury. May be
it is true, generally speaking, bat there
are excepuons-the exceptions, sup
pose he said musingly, .'that philoso-
pliers would tell You prove the rule. You
see me to-day old, and prenaturelv
gray. have never been a dissipatedt
man. III inherited a fine constitution
from my father. | have lived reg
larly, and have never suffered from q ) 1
ease, but / am rs you see me, neverthe-i I
less. Do You ask if L am heart-hroken?
can not say that, but have mourned .
over the dead and buried hopes for'tive 4
wears, and Gods beautiful world will I
never look so fair and sweet again to
me as the hour when close my eyes
upon'it forever - re - -
He moved slightly in his chair, and.
said, as if studying on the matter, at
looksfike 3 ease OF broken heart, don't
it?''
Then he was silent for several min
utes, but when he spoke again, his voice
rad changed, ard he proceeded more
cKeerfufiy than had ever heard him
speak before:
.. Six wears. sgo last-August ISas en-
ployed in an Eastern city. / worked
the New York wire, and one day, while
/ was sending, an Office boy came up,
and said. sNfr phipps. there's a lady