The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-05-17
A SPECIAL CONSTABLE.
BY CHARLES READE.

Two women-sisters-kept the bar in
Yorkshire. 1t stood apart from the vii
lage, and they often felt uneasy at night,
being lone women.
One day they received a considerable
sum of money, bequeathed 70 them by a
relative, and that set the simple souls all
in a flutter.
They had friend in the yillage-the
blacksmith's wife; so they went and told
her their fears. She admitted that theirs
was lonesome place, and she would
not live there, for one-without a man.
Her discourse sent them home down
right miserable.
The blacksmith's wife told her hus-
band all about it when he came in from
dinner "The FOOLS" said he, " how
is any body to know they have got the
brass in the house?"
:" WE'LL" said his wife, "they make
no secret of it to me; but you need not
90 TO tell it to all the town, poor souls!"
Not - said the man; "but they
will publish it, never fear. Leave wom-
en- folks alone for making their own
trouble with their tongues"
There the subject dropped, as man
and wife have other things to talk about
besides their neighbors.
The old women at the toll-bar, what
with their own fears, and their Jobs
comforter, began to SILVER with appre-
hension as night came on. However, at
sunset the carrier passed through the
gate, and at sight of his friendly face
they frightened up. They told him
their care, begged him to sleep in the
house that night. "Why, how can I?''
said he. "I'm due at -. But will
leave you my dog" The dog was a
powerful mastiff.
The women looked at each other ex-
pressively. He won't hurt US, viii
he?'' sighed one of them family. ''Not
he" said the carrier, cheerfullv. Then
he called the dog into the house, told
Z themt TO lock the door, and went away
whistling. az
The women were left contemplating
the dog with BARTENDER solicitude which
apprehension is sure to excite. At first
he seemed staggered at this off-hand
proceeding of his master; it confused
him; then he snufled at the door; then,
as the wheels retreated, he began tC
see plainly he was an abandoned dog
He delivered a fearful howl, and flew
at the door, scratching and barking
furiously.
The old women fed the apartment
and were next seen at an upper window
screaming to the carrier, - Come back
come back, John! He is tearing th'
house downin
"Drat that varmintl" said John, anC
came back. On the road he though
what was best to do. The good-natureC
fellow took his great coat out of tn,
cart, and laid it down on the floor. TIL,
mastiff instantly laid himself on it
eNow," said John, sternly, "let us hav,
no more nonsense; you take charge o
that till l come back, and don't let no
body steal that there, nor yet g wiye
brass. There, now," said he, kindly, 4
the woman, AZ shall be back this wa,
breakfast-time, and he won't bulge til
Them ~
"And he won't hurt us, John?e "A
"Lord, no. Bless your heart, he is a
sensible as any Christian; only, Lore
sake, woman, don't We go to take I'll
coat from him, or you'll be wanting
new gown yourself, and may be pett
coat and ALL"
He retired, and the old women kel
at a respectful distance from their PR
tector. He never molested thems ans
indeed, when they spoke cajelingly-
him, he even wagged his tail in dub
Gus way. But STILL they moved abou
he squinted at them out of his bloodshC
eye in way that checked all desire o
their parts to try on the carriers coat.
Thus protected, they went to bed ca
lier that usual, but they did not undress
they were too much afraid of even
thing. especially their protector. II
night wore on, and presently their sharl
ened senses let them know that the dc