The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-05-10
WHAT HE LOST.

WHAT HE LOST.
The evening was warm and still, and
all the doors and windows in George
Street were set open and every body who
could escape from indoor occupation
was out for a stroll. The people living
here were decent Woodworking men and
women, earning enough TO keep their
families in comfort, and taking an hon
est pride in themselves and their dwell
lings Most of the windows could boast
of clean muslin curtains, and the door
steps were as white as hard securing
could make them. There was one house,
however, whose doorstep could i'll bear
a comparison with its neighbors; and as
TO its curtains, they were drab and din
gy, and had been up all winter.
Miss Kennaway don'tregard appear
ances, that's certain" said one matron
TO another as they took their evening
walk together /" If I were her should
be sick of the sight of those frightful
drab curtains. And she with smart
young man coming often to the house!"
poor thingin sighed the other wom-
an, a good-natured soul, always ready
TO find excuses for those the world was
hard upon" Poor thingi she can't
have a minute to call her own. What
with her dressmaking and her mothers
long illness, she must be pretty nearly
nj her wits end.n -
"Well, if young Parr don't mind the
curtains, and that disgraeeful doorstep
of hers, I'm sure DON'T" responded
the first speaker sharply. "And here
he comes, looking as natty as you please,
and walking as if the very ground was
not good enough for his feet!"
William Parr, the promised husband
of Fanny Kennaway, was one of those
men who are said to be above their sta
ton, and are sometimes SO very much
above it that there is no keeping them in
it. William, however, was industrious
enough to find favor with the merchant
who employed him. Out of the count
ing-house, he held his head high, and
looked downNpon his fellow-clerks, who
never ceased 10 wonder why such a lofty
fellow should have courted humble lit
tie dressmaker in George Street. But
very few men of taste would have been
surprised at PARIS choice, if they had
seen Fanny Kennaway in her seat by the
window that evening.
After a long days work, she was rest
ing eyes and hands for a few minutes,
and watching for Williams coming.
Hers was a delicate, clearly cut face,
pale as lily, and serious almost to sad
Mesa face that seemed to have little in
common with the needles and pins and
gay stuffs around her. And yet, in a
general way, Fanny worked cheerfully
enough at her trade. Itwas onlywhen
nursing as well as dressmakng fell to
her lot, and heavy doctors bill was
added to ordinary expenses, that her lit
tie body felt itself aweary of this great
world. But there was no WEAKNESS in
the smile that greeted William, as he
entered the humble room. Like wise
woman as she was, Fanny always met
her lover with bright look and CHEEKY
voice.
"Come, Fanny" he said, "won't you
90 for walk this evening? Your moth
er is better, so that you can surely be
spared" -
"Oh, yes; mother can spare me;
Mrs. Marks is sitting with her. But
there is dress that must be finished to-
night, William EGrE Gt1 81
al wonder why we can never enjoy
ourselves as other people do" mutter-
ed Parr GROSSLY. "You are making a
regular slave of yourself, Fanny,
"Wen, then, I'll CO." she answered
after little pause, "and l won't be
five minutes getting ready
She tripped off, and soon. returned,
looking so neat in her walking garh
that only an ill-humored man could
have found fault in her. But as they
walked away together down the street.
there was cloud ON Williams face
and presently he spoke out his griev'
ance.
"Why don't you get stylish hat
Fanny, instead of wearing that everlast.
ing bonnet2 1 can't think how it !;
your things last so long; one never see;
YOU in any thing fresh and new. Fol
my sake you ought TO be little smart
er in your dress - AZ - Z
Fanny did not tell him that every six
pence she carried was spent on the com
mon necesSaries of life, and that all her
savings had gone to pay that terrible
doctors bill; but she looked up loving
~ into his handsome, gloomy face. WI
liam was her first love; she could not
wish him changed, even when his mac
nifcent notions, caused her some ineon-
venienee. The ornament of a meek and
quiet spirit is not always duly val