The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-06-07

asked of person next me. Surely he
viii not venture out among these howl
ing fiendsP'
THAT is just what he is going to do, !"
replied my companion. "There is no
use talking to him. He has given or
ders for the mare and gig to be got
ready, and it's as much as any ones life
is worth to try to stop him. Wolff by
name, and wolf by nature he's enraged
at having to steal down here last night
like thief. All, there the fun begins
Look outln
As my companion spoke, he gripped
me by the arm and dragged me close
against space between two windows.
Next moment a shower of stones crashed
through the windows, leaving not sin
gle inch of glass unbroken. Then, at
longer or shorter intervals, volley fol-
lowed volley, till the floor of the room
was completely covered with road-metal
and broken glass. Presently there was
a lull in the storm, and the crowd be-
came all at once as silent as the grave.
In the hush 1 could distinctly hear the
grating sound of the opening of some
big door under us. l looked inquiring-
ly at my companion.
ats the entry doors being opened to
let the Wolff OUT" he said in reply.
"Ah, there he isl
| glanced out of the window and saw
the Squire alone in his gig, a smile on
his face, his whole bearing as cool and
unconcerned as if there was not single
enemy within thousand miles. Then
| heard the great doors clang to, and as
they did so, the crowd gave vent to
howl of delighted rage.
At the first appearance of the Squire
in his gig the people had swayed back
and left an open space in front of the
hotel. Now they seemed about to close
in on him, and one man in the front
stopped to lift stone. Quick as light
ming the hand of the Squire went to his
breast, and just as the man stood up
right to throw heard the sharp crack
OF pistol The man uttered wild
shrek of pain, clapped his hands to his
cheeks, and plunged into the crowd.
The bullet had entered at one cheek and
gone out at the other, after tearing away
few teeth in its passage. The man
was the very person who had made the
mistake in shooting at me overnight.
ga near nick that for our friend" said
the Squire, in his clear voice, while the
crowd swayed back pace or two. ''But
the next will be nearer still, and I've
nearly half-a-dozen still left. Now, will
any of you oblige me by STOPPING to lift
a stoneP'
He paused and glanced round, while
every man in the crowd held his breath
and stood still as a statue.
"NoP you won't oblige me-" he said
presently, with a sheer. Then, fierce as
if in charging in some world-famous
battle: "Out of my way, you scoun-
drels! Faugh-a-ballaghl"
AT the word, he jerked the reins
slightly, and the mare moved forward
at a trOt with head erect, and bearing
as proud as if she knew a conqueror sat
behind her. Then, in utter silence, the
crowd swayed to the right and left, leav-
ing a wide alley, down which the Squire
drove as gayly as if the whole thing
were some pleasant show. When he
had disappeared, the crowd closed to
again, utterly crest-fallen. Then for a
short time the whole air was filled with
their chattering one to another like the
hummipg of humble bees; and present
", without a shout, and without sin
gle stone being thrown, the great mass
melted away.
Next morning, at an early hour, l left
Sligo as fast as covered conveyance
could carry me. | did not care TO wait
for the slower means of escape by foot,
fearful that the next time mistake
was made with me the shooting might
possibly be better that it was at first
London Magazine.