The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-02-01


morning and would sadly miss thei
hot coffee.
Two shrieks of the whistle, tug a
the lever, and No. 80 started an,
shot away with the long train follow
ing behind like an immense black ser
pent, over airline and around curves
and through tunnel and across bridge
Then John Lathrop had time to NOR,
closely scrutinize and talk to his IN
paying passenger. The mystic sigr
that had passed between them told o
brotherhood and paved the way to hi
thinking well of him.
you aren't used to tramping, anC
hain't been very long at it," said John
laughing quietly at the rapid manner
in which the supper of himself and fire
man was disappearing.
"Not much, Gully" replied the
tramp, pausing, with biscuit in one
hand and the half-pieked leg of tur-
key in the other, to answer.
"CullyP" repeated John, cycling him
still more sharply. "You are a show
man?''
"Was, and another few days like the
last and could play walking skeleton
to perfection" and he glanced up at
the engineer with a pair of the blacklist
possible eyes, and face marked with
resolution and bravery.
"What biz?" queried John Lathrop.
"Bar and trapeze."
He did not appear to have time to
spare to make lengthy replies-only ut
tered the briefest possible between
mouthfuls; and, noticing this, his ques-
toner paused until he had finished his
almost wolf-like meal, and then re-
sumed:
81 used to kick up my heels and strut
over the sawdust once myself"
"You?'
"Yes, but gave it up years ago
had little set-to with tiger, and got
nearly chawed up. And you don't
look as if you had Jared much better.
Here's pipe-smoke and spin your
yarn"
"Well, l did the fying-trapeze and
all that sort of thing in the Grand
Transcontinental and Ever so-many-
Circus. Humbug were a
better name, as it turned out for us.
Yet reckon we might have got our
pay if it had been a success. But we
had a devil of hard time. The public
didn't appreciate-horses gave out,
wagons broke down, the premiere
ran away with Bones
Of the side-show, funds ran low, the
great Polar bear wanted his ice, became
and turned up his toes; the
zebra passed in his checks, and the re-
suit was we became fiat broke, and had
10 leave our baggage and take the tramp
in order to get home"
"Been there myself" said John La
.hrop, becoming deeply interested.
"Then l needn't tell you what sort
Of time l have had footing it, stealing
rides and begging for something to
eat"
"Bad enough in SUMNER" growled
John.
"But now? Talk of the North Pole!
Whew! L thought l should freeze to
Heath in that old tank, with the water
dripping and freezing around me; and,
f you hadn't taken care of me, guess
I'd have thrown myself under the cars,
and put an end to the thing. What's
he use of fighting hard times and bad
uck forever?"
"Well, cheer up. You're all right
low-that is, to the end of my run.
Then you shall go home with me and
recruit bit, and it'll go hard if | can't
to get you free ride with some
Of the boys to the end of the road. It's
against all orders, but John Lathrop's
got heart in him, and won't see any
1ne suffer if he can help it-not much"
His presence attested the truth of his
words. He was tall, broad-shouldered
and deep-chested, and his face told of
9 goodness " in every feature, and his
manner, if bluff, was hearty. In the
physical, the stranger was his opposite.
Yet his frame was strongly knit, and
MS muscles, trained by severe and long
exercise until they stood out
Is whip cords, strictly obeyed his will
md were firm as steel, and daring
dashed from his black eyes and was
'evealed by every line about the mouth.
al don't know" he said, looking at
he engineer thankfully, chow 1 am
,ver to pay you. My life you certainly
saved, and it may be can do you
rood turn some day. If the chance
comes you can depend upon my doing
t, for I'm not one to forget favor"
al believe it. But don't think of my
Ol a O1NO. IL uO
more than any man that wasn't brute
would have done, and who knows but
either or my boy, when he grows up,
nay want lift of the same kind"
"Your boy?"
"Yes, the brightest, cutest little chap
you ever saw. I'll show him to you to-
Yes, and my wife, too-iust
he prettiest, dearest little woman that
ever walked in two shoes"
No. SO was running smoothly
and steadily along. II was Sunday
and there was nothing in the
even an up-train to pass until
John Lathrop would uncouple his iron
teed and put him in the great round
table, to rest and be cleaned for TWEEN
y-four hours. So, while the fireman
Iept his eyes ahead, John Lathrop seat
ID himself, and, while keeping watch
If the steam gauge and his eyes open,
old of his early life under canvas, his
present home happiness, and the bright
eyed, blithe-hearted ones that were
Al