The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-12-13
MISS GREY'S CHRISTMAS GIFT.

MISS GREY'S CHRISTMAS GIFT.
Miss Theodore Grey lived in a big
white house on bleak hilltop over
looking the small village of Elverton
She lived alone, with the exception OF
her servants. And such servants A
small negro boy and a stout middle
aged woman, h an immense humT
on her back, aud so Gnutterably ugly
that her presence on the premises seemed
sufficient protection against outside mo-
lestation.
But despair of describing this negro
boy. He might have been about eight
years of age, but he was far too small
for that age; and as for looks, he looked
as if the SHOWS of innumerable winters
had passed over his head-without
whitening it, however. His face was
wrinkled and cadaverous. One eye was
lost, presenting only staring white
: ball, which so far outshone and eclipsed
he other, that no one ever thought OF
Regarding IL. His body and limbs were
attenuatcd to a degree, and no amount
Fof feeding availed to fatten him; and he
seemed to hang together so loosely, that
it was a wonder he did not lose some
of his component parts.
His name was Nicodemus. Had any
one else been named that, j. would
doubtless have been shortened to "Nick''
or Demus,n but no one ever thought
of doing this kindness for him, and he
bore the unhappy burden of the entire
name about with him.
What his Office was in the establish
ment, it would be hard to say; he SEEM
ed TO live only to be miserable.
As for Joanna, she did almost every
thing that a man or maid-servant could
be required to do. Occasionally, Peter
Brook, from an adjoining farm, came
over to do such jobs as his employer
found for him TO do; at all other times,
Joanna was the tact0ttDl.
Years before, Miss Grey had been
young and beautiful. She had had a
lover, too; but they had quarreled and
parted, and since then no sutton had
dared to face the pitiless flash of the
cold eyes, that looked as if they had
never known the softening dew of tears.
One Christmas morning, Joanna, af-
ter kindling the fires, sent Nicodemus to
clear the snow from the front steps
The world was all in white that morn
ing. The first snow of the season had
fallen in the night, swiftly, silently, soft
ly, as the plumage of angels wings,
dropped down from heaven to cover the
earth with spotless drapcry for the
birthday of the Christ. In Miss Grey's
house was no wreathing of evergreens,
nor garlanding with flowers, to repeat
the message of peace and good will
among men. Only Joanna had gather
ed some sprays of cedar and arbor-yita,
from The stately shrubs in the front yard,
and, mingling with them some scarlet
berries of the holly, had grouped them
in one of the old vases over the parlor
hearth
Well, when Nicodemus came to clean
the steps, he found basket sitting on
them, closely covered. He contemplate
ed it for some time in a vacant sort of
way, scratching his head, and occasion
ally looking off into space, as if to sum-
mon some invisible agency to help him
solve the overwhelming problem-what
20 do with it. At last an idea seemed
h penetrate his woolly head; he shut
fled himself back TO the kitchen where
Joanna was, and standing skeleton-like
in the doorway mumbled out,
What do wild de baSket?''
+" What basket2n
son de steps"
Joanna never wasted time nor breath
comforting with Nicodemus. So she
thrust more wood into the stove, where
the breakfast was cooking, and went out
to investigate.
81 wonder who has brought Miss
Theodore a present?n was her aston
ished reflection as she beheld,the neat
covered basket.
But to betray surprise in the presence
of Nicodemus was not to be thought OF,
so she quietly lifted it into the hall and
babe him gel to his work. At that mo-
ment Miss Theodore herself opened the
door of her room and looked out.
what is it you are bringing in,
Joanna?" she asked.
u don't know, ma'am,n answered
Joanna. 81 found it on the steps"
Miss Theodore walked up to it, and
lifted the cover without ceremony.
Two blinking blue eyes peeped mp at
her, from nest of downy flannel and
cambria.
Lord preserve usl" she cried, re-
treating SO suddenly as nearly to upset
Joanna in the rear. Then she leaned
against the wall, looking white and
breathleSs.
Joanna venrured near enough TO take
peep into the basket, when she like
wise staggered back with shrek of
conservation, and the two women
stood and looked at each other in dumb
dismay. Nicodemus suspended opera
tons on the doorstep, and stood with
open mouth, staring into their faces /;
but for once Joanna failed to observe
him, and he was permitted to stare on.
Joanna found her voice first. ''It's a
babyi" she gasped, in a huShed whis-
per.
Miss Grey lifted her head. Joan
ma" she said ste-nly, ''were you at
home all night?"
AT home? To be sure l was,
ma'am!"
"Then how came this here?"
"Oh, Miss Theodore, how can / tellF
rs ike as if a spirit had brought It. j
never slept so soundly before that
something wouldn't have told me, if
any human thing had come inside the
gate. NICoDEMUsin
Nicodemus gathered himself togeth-
er and began to work with as much
alacrity as he was capable of.
{" Get your bonnet and shawl, Joan
ma, said her mistress, " and take this
child to the Poor-hOuse.n
Joanna disappeared, and Miss Grey
) went 20 the basket and looked in il
again. Curiosity got the better of her