The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-10-04

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When Leah was IS, every body sale
they two would marry; but Leah felt
she hardly knew why, that she was no
his equal in the worlds eye, and sht
was troubled.
Mrs. Hope shrank from this union
and yet she was not willing any one els,
should take Leah away. So her Low,
gained the victory over her pride, ant
she told Leah that she was now to be in
deed her own child.
Leah was very happy, and promised
to "stay with Mr.. and MIS-. Hope al
4 ways, and to keep Tom at home, too. >
When Leah was 20 years old, the
wedding day was set, and great prepa.
rations were going on for a grand re.
4 ception.
One day she was surprised to learn
that her dear old friend from the Home
had been long time in the library with
Mr.. Hope, and had gone away without
her seeing him.
After he left, Mr.. Hope called his
wife into the room, and they had long
conference. When they came back,
Leah saw by their faces that something
was wrong.
"Ycu are troubled, mamma dear, "
she said, as soon as they were alone.
SIS it about me?'' g.. t-@
4" Yes, my child, it is; but you must
be brave and accept your fate calmly, "
said Mrs. Hope.
ra" My fate?@ Why, the only thing l
can think of is that my parents have
come for me, and that would be joyful
news. They would live near, and never
take me away from Tom and you," said
Leah.
"Leah," said Mrs. Hope, as solemnly
as if she was prOnouncing death sem
tence, t'your mother died on her voy-
age home, and your father almost as
soon as he entered his fathers house;
and the old people could never get any
trace of you. ...
"Some months since, an old man
who had known your father here, went
to Germany to die among his kindred.
ale was surprised that your grand
parents had never claimed you, and told
them where you were left, in your ia
theirs extremity.
"This led to inquiries which have
proved successful. Your grandfather is
learned professor in a German univer-
sity; but he is poor"
"Who cares for that?-the old dlr-
lingi" said Leah, with tears in his eyes.
"They are very anxious to see you,
but will not insist on your going to
them; still / think "a.
"Why, mamma, how could you and
papa look so sad about this? You must
have known that 1 would never leave
Tom and you. We viii visit them after
we are married, and make them happy,
and then come home to you"
No smile lighted the pale face of Mrs.
Hope.
Mamma, 1 know there's something
worse than this!' cried Leah. "What
is itP''r
any poor child, am afraid to tell
you, lest it break your heart. 1t is your
history" said Mrs. Hope, in a broken
voice.
any history! Was my father a con-
vict?''
"No, my child; but he was IA
JewI"
ais that crime?" asked Leah.
"Oh, no; but you know, Leah, that
Jews are-are-"
"No, mamma, don't know any thing
about Jews! Inever spoke TO one in my
life" said the poor girl.
"Well, dear, they are race by them
selves. Our people never intermarry
with them, nor, I {
Leah sank into chair as if she had
been stricken by an arrow. She under
stood it all now She fled to her room,
wondering if Tom knew that the blood
of Israel was in her veins, and if so, if
he felt about it as his mother did.
At tea both Tom and his mother were
very tender in their manner towards
her: but as no allusion was made to this
matter, she felt that her happiness was
over, with them.
In the shadow of that wretched even
ing, she sought her old friend at the
Home, and threw herself again on his
fatherly care.
At her earnest entreaty he agreed to
engage apassage for her in the first
Bremen steamer, and to lend her money
for the voyage.
When this was known at home, the
whole family tried to dissuade her from
her purpose. The parents wanted her
Still as an adopted daughter, but not as
their sons wife.
Tom showed his mothers weakness
by saying, "We will delay our marriage
in Difference to my parents feelings,
and perhaps, by-and-by-"
But Leah answered; "lNaiting will
not change the blood in my veins.
shall so and perform my duty to my
grandparents in the fear and the love
of God"
In less than three months Leah sat in
a plain room, with bare floor and pine
furniture, niinistering at the death-bed
of her grandmother, who had long age
caught glimpse of the "Hope Of
Israeli
In another month, Tom HOpe-whC
had soon found that the beauty of life
went out with her going-stood before