The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-04-27

/ sCfctu Vi us newspaper, Win lnc queel
est of expressions on his brown oil
face.
"I'm almost sorry / commenced tn
thing" he said to himself. "If shOul
be disappointed in her! But, pooh! it
the only way TO find out if she is wort
my boys love-"
Presently the numbering old chariC
came to a stand-still; but, to Rachel
surprise, in front of no fairy cot, or low
eaved edifice surrounded by verandah
and flower parterres. A tumble-dowr
unpainted farmhouse stood little bac
from the road, with its shutters hang
ing loosely by one hinge, and one o
two scrubby lilac bushes forlornly toss
ing their foliage in the wind!
GLOW dreary it looksi" thought Ra
chel, with little shudder, as she won
dered whether the coachman had reall
meant to stop there. But Uncle Ben a
once seized her carpet-bag and um
brella.
"Come, my DEAR" he said to Rachel
Is this the place?" she asked.
"This is the place." Uncle Ben an
swered, with a sudden paroxysm 0
coughing. "Gate's little out of or
der,' as that useful mode of ingress be
came suddenly detached from its sol,
remaining hinge, and fell with a crasl
to the ground; "but that's soon Sc
right with a screw-driver and half {
dozen screws
Alas! poor Rachel! What were hel
sensations as she looked blankly around
the neglected, dismal spot which was
the sole realization of her fairy dreams
This the home Uncle Benedict had given
them! And for an instant our poor lit.
tie heroine felt as if she could repel the
unwelcome gift, and tell Uncle Benia.
min plainly that she could not spend heI
days in hovel like this.
But then came sober second thoughts.
Uncle Benedict had meant kindly; they
were poor, and could not afford to dis.
pense with even the meanest of roofs
over their heads. No, she must CRATE
fully accept the present in the spirit in
which it was given, and check in the
bud all her rebelliOus and unamiable
repinings.
al told you it was a cottage, you
know" said Uncle Ben, keenly scru-
tinizing her face, as they stood on the
doorstep waiting for the door to be
opened.
"Yes, l know" said Rachel, glanc-
ing round with Frightening eyes.
" That is a very choice climbing rose
over the window if it was only properly
trained"
"It's rather lonesome said Uncle
Ben.
81 like the country" Rachel an
swered hopefully.
As she spoke a slipshod old woman
appeared to let them in, and led the
way to the best room, a green-curtained
apartment, with shabby carpet on the
floor, and fire in the CRATE that emitted
far more smoke than caloric.
"Smoky chimneys, eh?" said Uncle
Ben.
"The draught seems to be poor"
said Rachel, "but [ dare say it can be
al hadn't any idea the ceilings were
so low," grumbled the old gentleman.
"It's partly the effect of the large
pattern of the wallpaper" " said Rachel,
with a glance at the red and green
ga narrow-striped pat
tern will improve it."
"What queer little cupboards by the
sides of the manteli" !" said Uncle Ben.
"Oh, they will be nice for our best
china" said Rachel.
"My DEAR" said the old gentleman,
al believe you are determined to be
pleased. Do you really think you shall
like this placer"
81 shall like any place where Hugh
is ~ said Rachel, brightly.
She went all over the house with the
old gentleman, planning improvements,
and suggesting and contriving until he
really began to think she would make
an Arcadia out of the tumble-down old
farm. And if she shed few tears on
her pillow when she went to rest under
the caves of the roof, in an apartment
which must have been built for Tom
Uncle Ben Benedict never sug-
gested it.
There was the chariot at the door
when Rachel rose from her breakfast of
bread and butter and coffee the next
"Ceme, my lass," said the old gen.
tleman, "I want to show you place
further up the road, which has been
taken by friend of mine"
The drive and the delicious Septem-
Der air were like an invigorating tonic
to our wearied lite bride; and a pic
ture after the style of Vatican awaited
them, in the exquisite villa, with its
rose-clad bay windows and picturesque
Iy sloping roof. Rustic iron chairs stood
under the bowling branches of the elms
on the lawn, and a marble Cupid, hold
ng up carved conch-shell, scattered
bright rain into flower-bordered basin
directly in front of the gates.
"Oh, how beautiful" cried Rachel.
81 never saw such superb scarlet
geraniums in my life; and what a love-
" marble-paved hall!"
% You like the appearanceP"
"Oh, yes; it's beautiful
"Come in, my dear, and see how you
like the INTERIOR" said the old gentle
man, serenely.
1t was perfect, from the drawing
rooms, with their superb Brussels car
pet and exquisite silk hangings, to the
chambers, all in white and pink, like
the inside of a roses heart, and the
fairy conservatory, all stocked with
heliotrope, and rare fuchsias,
1t the south end of the house.
alt is like fairyland!" cried Rachel,
"Do tell me, Uncle
Ben. who is to live here?'
Uncle Ben turned round and faced
her.
"You, my dear!"
Sand Hugh, of course?n
"To be sure!"
"But, uncle" gasped little Rachel,
quite overwhelmed by this unexpected
good luck, "the other house"
"That's only little joke of mine.
This is the real home, and give it to you
With all the more pleasure that you
we're disposed to make the best of the
1ad bargain you thought you were in
or. NV dear, the contented mind you
possess is worth a thousand houses!"
And Rachel felt something warm and
vet upon her cheek, like tear, as the
I'D gentleman stoopod to kiss her.
When Hugh came home, to find his
title wife upon the verandah, all well
coming smiles to greet him, he exclaim-
n sENVbv T-ncIo Ron this is a nerfect