The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-07-26

uream set me thinking OF what rumOrs
Ihad heard occasionally prospecting Stain
ing since left England, that his money
had wasted, that he had fallen consid-
erably in position, ard even into pow
erty. / had written to him several
times; but of late years he had not re-
Piled
"POor fellow.,' ! now thought,
there may really be something in that
dream. If his pride viii accept it, be
shall have that money back, and very
glad / shall be to restore it,
Back again in England. Settled down
again in the old country. Main matters
disposed of, began to think of minor
ones, and among the latter the discov-
cry of Staining. He was not in the
former haunts, and | failed so long to
find him that | was beginning to despair,
when one night / met him in the street.
The brilliant artificial light of a ball
room may increase the luster of wom-
ans bright eyes, and of her sparkling
I jewels, but if you want to see a
poor broken down man, decayed and
dismal, in his worst aspect, survey him
standing disconsolately under a street
lamp, drilling rain descending upon
him, and he with folded arms, present
ing picture of mute despair. So did L
behold Staining. put my hand upon
his shoulder He sprang from me as
though were wild beast. E
81 did not want to run away" he said
hoarsely, they knew that. I'll face it
III face it, he added, TREMENDOUSLY.
Z" Go on, I'll walk quietly enough-why
-what-eh-surely, can it be-can-''
"Yes, it is Smith, your old compan-
ion. Pray be composed. Staining, my
friend, what is all this? Come away,
and confide in me. You know you
can trust me. you are in troubles and
money can help you, you shall not
want" And | took his arm, and we
went together.
And then heard poor Staining's con-
fession, and it amounted to this: When
he had wasted his money, he obtained a
situation in a merchants office. The
pay, poor enough, was sufficient to keep
him; but even now nothing could re-
strain him from gambling on small
scale ON horSe-racing. As a consequence
he was soon penniless, and worse-dis-
honest He had paid betting debt out
of a 20-pound note which the day before
had been entrusted to him. Discovery
/ had ensued almost instantaneously, and
though the luckless man explained that
it was only through the failure of an
/ other member of the virtuous fraternity
he could not at once replace the money,
he had been discharged, and had reason
to suppose he would be prosecuted.
"Many, many thanks" replied the
poor fellow to the offer directly made
him. "You can see the firm in the
morning; but though they have allowed
day to pass, doubt whether they will
take the money. believe they are bent
on my RUM FHV a F
| could not believe it; so, early next
day, l was at the office of Messrs. Bay
don, Blendon & Co., and, having been
admitted into the room of the senior
partner, stated my errand and proffer-
ed my twenty pounds. ~
Mr.. Baydon was a sleek old gentle
man. There was, so to speak, wealth
and ease all over him. He bent his head
complacently, and replied:
"I can appreciate your kindness to
this poor man, and myself would pass
the matter over at once; but my part
ner, Mr.. BlendOn, takes different view,
and | can not interfere" And he was
firm upon that point. Could | see Mr..
Blendon? Yes, if | could call again in
two hours.
In the cab kept muttering to myself,
"Blendon, and Robert Blendon, tooF
1 am sure of it. Still, if it be so, it is
very strange. l think l should know
that face again, however time may have
altered it. We shall see who will be
MASTER
Back to Messrs. Baydon, Blendon &
Co. S Office, and then into the presence
of Mr.. Blendon. All my anxiety for my
poor friend faded away. was master
of the situation. Briefly stated my de-
sire to pay the amount of Staining's
defalcation, and my hope that, under
the extenuating circumstances, no pub.
LEFTY would be given to the miserable
wrong-doing Mr.. Blendon heard me
with some Impotence, and, before re-
plying, he drew a check to q self OF
bearer" q could see him do it, fol
f1OO. Having given this to clerk tC
get cashed, he said to me, arranging his
papers, the while: .
"You will excuse my answering some.
what shortly. 1t can not be. 1t is not
the money we care about, but we mus
vindicate the law"
L declare, was half pleased at the
grandiose style of this speech. How
beautifully he was walking into my
net! s.s .ae la-Gr-
ventured to suggest that in cast
like this there was no imperative call t.
such course, and that forbearanc'
might rightly be shown. ~ Or
81 do not see it can't see it, an
swered Mr. Blendon, crossing his leg
with an air of resignation, as much as t.
say, ''The man is nuisance, but l mus
bear with him. He resumed:
"You do not appear, sir, to observ
the immense Importance of punishin.
delinquency of this kind. l would no
take your money on any account. Dea
me! If l were to let this man off,
would be ashamed of myself. He ough
to be in custody now, and he will b.
very shortly. L have just overcom