The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-10-24

| PICKING noleS IN the coats CT tnell
neighbOrs, unless their neighbors hap
/ pen to be prominent men, and calumny
serves a politically profitable, or com
mercially profitable, purpose. In small
places ike Pittsburg, years ago, gossip
/ is break in the mOnotony of daily life
and if it is highly spiced with unfavor.
I able reports and remarks about this OIL
that individual, warranted or other.
wise, the enjoyment is considerably en-.
HANGED.
One fee morning in June, Kehoe's
GROCERY was full of its usual frequent
ers, lOafers, local politicians, travellers
stretching their legs tiffin-taking bust
ness men, and grim golfers.
"Tim," said seedy individual to the
barkeeper, "guess Ike Marblehead' IS
made an Improbable investment this
time"
"Wbat imp" asked the busy dispenser
of coculuS indicus, tobacco-iuice, and
other poisons
8" In a woman" returned his custo-
mer.
The company pricked up their ears,
and the seedy chap, assuming an air of
great imp. rtance, took up a position be-
fore the empty stove, elevated his coat
tails, and proceeded to unbosom him
self.
SIN woman" he repeated. "She
amt a woman neither-l m kinder
wrong thar-she's a gal, and--thun-
der!-ain't she bootiful?"
"Who is she?" anxiously inquired
all.
"I'm in the dark about that thar
Oceans Of kerosene and miles of wick
amt no use to throw light on that thar
subject"
A girl about Il, or so, had become
an inmate of Ike Marblehead's house,
and who she was, and what relation
ship existed between her and the hard
old man, became questions of consider
able moment. She was very good
leaking, and gentleness and truth, like
diamonds in a gold setting, made her
beauty doubly attractive.
There was a straight -limbed young
fellow in Pittsburg, Ralph by name, who
never saw her without feeling a strong
desire to do her some romantic service
save her life, for instance, at the risk
of his own-so that he might inspire her
bosom to feel friendship for him. Ralph
was poor at that time, but industrious
and honest, promising fairly enough to
live life as profitable to others as to
himself, and as handsome an American
as you'll meet with from Maine to Tex
as. He was in old Marblehead's store
and many attempts were made to pump
all his knowledge of that mysterious
household out of him, but he was wisely
silent, and kept his tongue behind his
white, even teeth, whenever Ike's pri-
vate affairs were preached.
Old Marblehead professed to be great
ly interested in Ralph, giving him plen-
ty of advice, after the fashion of men
generally, who, forgetting the proclivi-
ties of their own youth, would have
twenty-five think and act like three
score and ten.
Before long, Alice Marblehead and
her uncle's clerk came to an understand
ing. Ralph feared that his employer
would reject his proposal, but, obeying
Alice, who was too conscientious to keep
an affair of such Importance from the
knowledge of her guardian, he told him
frankly how matters stood, and was
both surprised and delighted to receive
his consent to their union.
"In a years time, il you still like
each other well enough" said the grim
old man, "you shall marry, and I'll set
You up in business"
1t was Joy to live months after the
promise, but misfortune was in store for
all, and Ralph Peaton had to go through
much suffering before he received the
prize.
One Sunday evening, as old Marble
head, in company with his niece and
Ralph, was going to his particular place
of worship, an Unlocking stranger,
shabbily attired, travel-weary and tray
met him face TO face, and
claimed his acquaintance with mock
demonstration of respect and pleasure,
Ike Marblehead, pale as death and
shaking as if in an ague-fit, babe his
niece and Ralph proceed to the chapel,
and turned into his house, followed by
the stranger.
"You don't look as well as you were,
Tom Brady" said the stranger, seating
himself before the stove. "By the
way, what name do you go under now?
Turned honest in your old age, ehP"
The old man glared at him like vii |
beast at bay.
don't play with me, Nike" he
said, hoarSely. "You know me of old.
am dangerous, man"
"Cool down. returned Mike, cross
ing his legs, and looking old Marble
head straight in the eyes. "I'm not
here to play with you. You've given
me the slip for six years, and, to judge
from appearances, you seem to have
prospered. | haven't. I'm pretty near
ly played out, and must ask you to put
me on my legs again. First of all, give
me something to eat.'
Marblehead placed some meat and
bread on the table, and waited silently
until his unwelcome visitors appetite
was satisfied.
"That young lady was very like an
old acquaintance of mine," said Mike
at last, throwing himself back in his
chair.
Old Marblehead shuddered, and hid
his.face with his hands.
"Just like Jack Geary," continued
Mike, musingly. "As fine a fellow as
ever breathed was Jack, but little too
fond of knocking about the world. l
first met him in Mexico, sixteen years
ago, when he went gold hunting with a
friend of mine, called Tom Brady. Three
weeks after, riding from San Antonio to
Bexar, found Jack Geary, dead and
doubled up, lying alongside the track,
and Tom Brady's knife was up to the
hilt in his heart.n
Old Marblehead groaned.
"I've got that knife now" resumed
Mike, drawing it from his pocket, and
passing his thumb over the edge. "This
is the second time | have shown it to
Tom Brady"
jumped up with an oath,
but Mike was on his legs as soon as he,
and held the murderous weapon men
"Be reasonable" said the visitor, as