The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-08-17
wassawaiting in.an agony of dread the

wasiawaitIng nsan ngony of dread the
minute when the driver would shout
the fatal word. / Isupposed the wretched
creature did right to anticipate our ar
rival at Newburgh with a yell loud
enough to wake the dead, reusing papa
to an upright position, and knowledge
of his whereabouts.
s1 - sOome, Annie,' he said with a
yawn. Here we are, and with this
horrible river to cross again. Have
you every thing ready, my dear?'
''I shall have. in one moment, she
said, as the coach stopped, giving my
hand a closer clasp before Withdrawing
it forever. s
"Mr. Gardiner expressed himself
with great friendliness, sent kind
messages to father, hoped we might
meet again, shook hands, and stepped
down into the deep snow. saih's
I" 'In one moment, papa, she repeat
ed. And then, in a lower tone, that he
might not hear her, Pardon me, Mr..
Cooper, but if you and your friend are
through with my muff, shall have to
trouble you for it. | hope you have
both found it comfortable Thank you
No apologies, l beg. You were quite
welcome to it. A pleasant journey.
Goodnight And she took her fathers
offered hand-he would not allow us to
leave the coach to assist hinl-and left
US both stunned. a ...f a.
b" Even now, after all these years, 1
can not recall this, even when alone,
without blushing and burning with
shame Think of us two boobies sitting
there for three mortal hours Squeezing
each. others hands, Iwasn't so much
to blame, for Charley's hands, as I've
told you, were small and delicate as a
woman's. But think of his pressing
such a hand as that, and supposing it
belonged to pretty Annie Gardineri L
lahad~a mind TO cuff him then and there
for the insult to her, but it was too
abommably ridiculous for any thing but
laugh; and laugh we did, though
there was more noise than mirth in it.
We jumped over the seats, and pounded
the cushions like a couple of lunaticS,
trying to emphasize our shouts.
"Charley's explanation and excuse
was, that noticing his pretty neighbor
kept only one hand in her muff, aud de-
string to make some tender demonstra-
ton before parting, he thought it
wouldn't be amiss to capture and hold
it, and was surprised when the indig
nant little hand was withdrawn. Be
fore he could follow suit it seems that l
was seized with the same desire, and
he thought that she had relented. DO
you see? -.-I.EFr 81 -.zr.r.r Z
"And there sat sweet Annie Gardiner
behind her muff, her own hands half
frozen, enjoying in advance our coming
discontinue, but looking like a prim
little saint in whose heart no thought of
mischief ever entered.
"It was very queer; but without ex-
acting promise from each other, |
don't think either of the victims ever
told the story, though the temptation to
do SO was very great"
"But tell us, Judge, did you never
see the pretty girl again? and what be-
came of CharleyP" queried his listener.
"My dear, l am glad to have inter
ested you enough to have you care to
know Charley is at this time right
reverend father in the Church, and
well has he earned his promotion. And
as for Annie, think she must have
gone down to see after our little even
ing supper. Suppose we follow her?''
"Ah Judge" said the girl, /" but
Mrs. Cooper's name was not Annie
Gardiner at all. Alice told me only this
morning that her nother's maiden
name was Mary Robertson; so you may
have cheated us about the rest of it
too. +" H.r... .EH s....,
"No, my dear child, every word else
is true. But 1 did try the subterfuge
familiar to my craft, and provided my
wife with an atiGs. | could not give
you in advance the only point in my
poor little story. But let's 90 down to
supper. 1t is getting late"