The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1876-08-10
George Henry Brown and his Lost
Mary.

inc around the corner of Griswold and
Congress Streets just after the storm
Yesterday when along came man in a
great hurry. His hat was wet and lop-
sided, his linen coat wet through, his
boots covered with mud, and his shirt
bosom had wilted right down to hand
full of imitation coral studs and eight
een-cent linen. The boy was going to
offer his services--any boot black would
offer "shine - if mans boots had
been soaked in the river for month
but the young man got ahead of him.
He asked:
"Boy, have you seen a girl go by
herepr
"Lots of gals passing every hour in
the day." was the answer.
eyes, know, but this was my girl
Mary-rather tall-white hat-white
overskirt-green parasol--red tie
great landsl but where is my MaryP'
"Lost, ehP" queried the young Ma
peleon. et
"Yes-left me down the street while
was buying this hat"
Any relashun of yoursP" asked the
boy as he looked up and down.
"Relationl Why she's my girl-the
one love-the one I'm going to marry.
III give you quarter to help find her. !"
The boy sat down on his box, spit across
the walk and meditated, and finally
said: 5"''''
81 think l saw that ere gal about
| half an hour ago" .p a... ,..-..-
''You did! Then we are on the trail, y"
eyes, she passed here, and / tell you
she looked as sweet as a peach. "
eyes, yes, that's the one! Every
body remarks how handsome she is. ="
ssAnd the Teller with her had on one
of these cut-away-off coats, diamond
pin, bic sleeve buttons, cane, great big
collar, and he was Just looking into her
ewes as if he loved her to death"
"W-whatl" 'gasped the young man
s'then there was some one with herP'
.sSome one? Well, should say So!
They were locked arms; she had the
Saratoga-grab on her dress, and as they
passed me he patted her on the cheek. :"
sBoy-boy-look out! Mary has al
ways been as loving as dove and as
true as one. of those lamp-posts. 1t
couldn't have been Maryl"
"Couldn't, Ell? Well, all right. You
axed if l had seen her, then go on to
call me liar. Now, l won't move a
peg to help find her!"
essay, boy, see here!'' whispered the
man, reckoning the lad to step into the
alley behind the express office. When
they were off the street he continued 4:
"Now, boy, be square and III give
you ten cents. 1t might have been
Mary, but l can't hardly believe it.
She loved her George too well, or SEEM
ed to-" q
"Is your name George!"
"Yes-George Henry Brown-live
out here 'leven miles"
"More pruff-stronger pruf-wuss
and wuss!" exclaimed the boy, slap
ping his leg. "When that couple went
by me the teller said: 'How could you
think, my darling, of linking your fate
to that of such an old pill as George
Henry BrOwn?' Just them words said
he"
"He did, ehP By the big Harry! he
called me an old pill, eh?"
!. "And she grinned and blushed, and
Uttered and poked him in the ribs with
her parasol, and says she: George is
a regular fiat, but was after a set OF
iewelry.' Then he patted her on the
ear, and l heard 'em talking about ice
cream, sody water, preachers, certiti-
cate of marriage, and leetle cottage
on a hillside. Sunthin' told me it wasn't
right, and you don't know how bad
felt" -"...
.sIt's ali right, bub," replied the man
as he laid down ten cents. Z" You keep
cool-mum is the word. There'l be
tears shed in the west end of Wayne
County before Saturday night or III be
under ground" ,-'.'
"Goin' to hurt somebody" asked the
sinner. . n .-. --
"Keep cool-don't foller NEEDN'T
say any thingl Show me the store
where they sell sword-canes and brass
knuckles."
About an hour after that the Chief OF
Police was waited upon by George and
his girl Mary. They took chairs, and
George dropped his hat on the floor and
inquired :JolJ n 1oil,-".' raI
ais there any law around here tc
punish boy who goes and lies to you
and sets you half crazy and almost
breaks up one of the lovingest, incest
sweetest marriage engagements any
body overheard OFF," IN ID.
He might have referred to the boot
black.-Detroit Free Press. g. 81 3D.