The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-02-17
DONOVAN'S PATCH.

D0N0YAN'S PATCH.
1t was during a fine evening in April
that a number of men could have been
seen making their way down the San
Joaquin in one of those primitive vehi-
cles of navigation commonly called
4" fiat-boats.''
The tortuous windings of the river
kept three of their number busy in keep
ing the boat in the current, while the
remainder of the company were gath
cred about an individual who was en-
tertaining them with rustic airs upon a
violin.
The steersman, tall, athletic speci-
men of manhood, was devoting all his
energies to shooting a sharp turn in the
river, when his eye fell upon a dark OBJ
ject which appeared in the meadow at
distance on the right.
alt can't be blue heron watching
for gephers," he muttered; it's too
large. An I'm blessed" he said, after
taking a keener look, " if don't think
it's man. If it is, what fetched him
out in this lonesome countryP"
Calling the others to him they looked
in turn, and the steersman's surmise
was pronounced correct. The wonder
fully clear atmosphere permitted them
to see that it was man standing mo-
tionless, and with his face turned to-
wards them.
The boat glided under a bank of tall
reeds, and when they emerged from the
shadow of the waving screen and came
in full view Of the object they put the
boat in towards the bank and hailed
him.
At first the motionless figure did not
seem to hear, but stood as though alb
sorbed in thought. When again the
vigorous hail was borne down on the
breeze the figure started, and, raising
his hand in answer, strobe rapidly to-
wards them.
The men on the boat watched the ap-
preaching figure, the breeze blowing
out his long grizzly hair and playing
with the brim of the large soft hat. Be-
hind him came a small animal which,
when they came nearer, the men per-
ceived to be dog.
There were various speculatiOns as to
the character of the stranger.
" Sluice robber, an been druv out o.
camp,n said one.
"Gambler out o. luck" said another.
cleft his conscience at Cape Horn,
and is livin' on his WITS" said third.
BY this time the strange pair had
reached the river bank. The man al
the bow extended his hand and drew
the newcomer on board. The dog es-
saved to follow his master, but in leap
inc struck the gunwale and fell into the
water.
With 4 CRY the stranger was about to
spring in to rescue the cur, when a
muscular arm was interposed. The
steersman headed the boat for the bank
for the strong current had swept
them out-and coming up with the ami
NAL he was drawn on board. The man
clasped the dripping creature to his
breast and sank down on the deck as
though he was about to faint.
One or two essayed to wink at this
movement, but the effort was abortive,
and a commisserating silence fell upon
the group as they regarded the strange
ly mated twain, who sat side by side AT
the feet of the helmsman.
He was not like the others, the
stranger. His face was more refined
but there were deep lines there thai
showed that sorrow and he were init
mate. His eyes had far-off, dreamy
look, and there was a deep flush on
either cheek which showed that disease
had taken hold upon his system. His
hair was gray and so long that it fell
upou his shoulders. BE was slight in
build and of medium size. His habili
ments consisted of heavy blue shir
such as the others wore, and well
worn coat and pantaloons.
Going to locker one of the men pro
cured some simple food and sat dowr
before the man, who muttered his
thanks, and, giving the dog a share
began to eat.
The meal finished, one of the me1
approached and began to question.
aWhere are We from, stranger?" ht
asked in a kindly tone.
"It matters not where | am from,
was the answer.
"But,m persisted the man, "what j
yer name?n
"My name? You may call me Ismael
if YOU hke,'' said the stranger, with
bitter laugh.
"An' how came We here in this wilt
place?n questioned the man.
al came from there, said the stran
ger, pointing towards the east. "H
came and drove me away. He drove m
from Valparaiso; ne drove me from tn
coast, but was innocent of what the,
charged against me. 1t was a wicket
and cruel deed"
His questioner arose and tapped hi
forehead significantly.
"An' hev We no friends?" the boat
man asked again.
"Friends? Ishaye no friends-bu
one"
As he spoke his hand rested gentl
upon the head of the dog, who locke
up afectionately.
After that they left him alone. Fo
three days the pair remained on tn
boat, the proprietors regularly 5ringin
them their meals, which the Old man at
in silence.
ON the fourth day they lme to spC
where a tributary flowed into the mai
stream. Beyond the banks of this rive
Stretched level plain, which under th
warm rains had changed from dust
waste TO vast flower bed. As far
,ba owe could see the earth was clothe
With f;oral riches, which were as mar
hued as the rainbow.