The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-10-18

seems only rlght that you shoulu come
back to it again"
AID it certainly was case of more
poetical Justice than one often finds in
the world. Old Lescombe bought the
estate with his city money, and here
comes a descendant of the old stock who
buys it back.
Mr.. Lescombe wanted to sell his es-
tate. Land sells well, and hardly pro-
duces 2 per cent. to the buyer. He want
ed the money, which would be some
forty thousand pounds, which would pay
all his liabilities, and leave him the
money that would suffice for watering
place existence. But it did seem hard
line to him that he must give up the old
place. He had taken to the country as
thoroughly as his father before him had
been unable to do so. He now remem-
bered that among the conditions of sale
there was a sentence respecting ''imme-
date possession" The immediate pos
session was all very well on the side of
receiving immediate payment, but it
was not so well on the side Of immedi-
ately turning out.
But it musrbe done, thought the Squire,
remorseiully. 1t was now becoming
nigh time that he shall look out for a
new residence in Bath or Cheltenham.
He must put things in order, gather up
his scattered sheaves. He must begin
at once, and first of all with his own
private chattels and belongings. 1t was
a piteous sight to see the old man in his
den, bringing together fishing-rods and
lines, books and papers, disturbing
things which all his life long had never
been disturbed. He found, when the
time came that he should be transplant
ed, how deeply his whole being had
taken root in the soil. He was soon tired
and bewildered, leaning his face on his
hands and moaning.
Just then Gertrude entered the room.
"Papa, DEAR" she said, feeling I'M
easy and moving quickly toward him,
" what is the matter? Tell me-"
"There is nothing the matter, dear;
only 1 am rather put out this morning.
It makes me sorry to leave the old
place"
"Sorry? l should think so, indeed.
begin to hate that Major Eyeleigh.
The notion of his turning US out of
doors!"
"Ah, Gertrude, Gertrude, is this state
ment strictly veracious and historic
After all those walks and rambleS, is
there only feeling of hatred implanted
in your celestial breast?
"It'sno fault of his, my DEAR" said
the old man. He only comes because l
want to go. And he comes in a much
more pleasant and liberal way than
many would come"
"But it is so hard that we should
have to go, owing to those shocking
banks and railways"
"You will enjoy the change to Bath
or Cheltenham, my dear. Plenty of
society, promenades, balls, concerts. ="
"Some girls might enjoy it, papa,
but not l; at least for more than a week
or two. 1 think Lescombe the most
beautiful spot in the whole world; the
combes, the moor, the mountains, the
woods"
81 know it, my dear. l know it as
well as you do. But, Gertrude, you are
not a child. You know all my affairs
as we'll as l know them myself. Let US
be grateful that this sale will enable US
to leave the place with honor, and live
pleasantly in apleasant place"
On several occasions he afterwards
descanted on the glories of Bath and
Cheltenham. But though Gertrude
tried to appear delighted with his de-
scription, she retained her private con-
viction that Lesombe was the center of
the universe.
One day she had been sitting on q
messy stone beneath an ancient arch of
the ruins of St. Julian's Chapel. "To
her." as they say in the playbooks, came
the gallant Major, portfolio in hand, to
complete some sketches of the ruins and
of the scenery about them. However
hateful he might DE as the early pro-
prietor of Lescombe, still the monster
drew so well that he was capable of Civ
ING Gertrude Lescombe a few useful
hints. They both worked together fol-
half an hour.
"Well, this is beautiful place." said
the Major, really with keen love Of
fine scenery. Bat the words grated I'M
pleasantly on Gertrude's ear, as they
conveyed thorough appreciation Of
newly acquired property.
"Dear old Lescombe!" said the girl
and the fair lips began to culver and the
eyelashes were wet.
The Major did not observe these
signs of emotion, and proceeded:
81 shall not make any alteration
The place is simply perfect. l shall
leave every thing exactly as it is. ]
really can not make out why the Squire
should want to give up the place. HI
can not be so well off any where
else."
Looking at his companions face the
Major saw that she was moved with
deep emotion. She turned her face
away and raised her hand to screen her.
self from observation.
"MisS Lescombe, Gertrude" he ex.
claimed, "what on earth is the matter
1t is impossible that l can have said any
thing to give you pain. would rather
cut off my right hand than do So"
alt is not your fault, l know very
well, Major Eveleigh; but we are Sc
very, very sorry to leave the old place
Why do we leave it? You don't suppose
we should leave it unless we were oblig
ed to leave.