The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-07-04

his knee. This she readily took.
"What is your name, my dearPr b
asked.
"Celestina Maria,r was. the reply.
"And how old are you?,
"Nine years old. How old are you p
"Ahemi" coughei the bachelor
"Why do you ask ?"
"'Cause | wanted to know whethe
you are as old as my ma. She's forty
three, but she tells people she's thirty
three What makes her do thatP
wantt to be older so can be great bi.
woman, and do as please"
Here was a revelation which woalt
have made the Widows hair stand OF
end If she had only heard it. But for
tunately for her peace of mind she wa
engaged with hospitable duties, anC
unconscious of Celestina's remarks.
"Do you 60 to SCHOOL," asked tht
Yes, but don't want to. hate
studying,
"You ought not to do that. You
wouldn't want to grow up ignorant
would youP"
Couldn't get married if / was ig.
norantp" asked Celestina Maria.
"Ahemi" coughed the bachelor, s'you
are too young to think of that
Are you married?" asked the child
suddenly.
mo-" said Mr.. Worthington, some
what embarrassed. rr-s9 ga
"Well, that's funny. You're old
enough to be, anyhow"
81 will wait for you, my dear"
81 wouldn't want to marry you.r
Wouldn't youp Why notp"
"No, you're too Old"
Yes, am too old to marry, my
dear.'' ~ s"'s it'
81 don't know" said Celestina Ma
ria, 81 guess mother would marry you. :"
Mr.. Worthingtop blushed crimson, and
the blood settled at the end of his nose
which didn't improve his appearance. e
g's Yoa shouldn't talkxso, my dear, y
he said. '.sYo,rs mother wouldn q like
to have yousS15 ~ 66a All - e
81 didn't Think said Celestina.
But you needn't tell, you know"
"No, l WON'T" IL ffTf MIA
"How many teeth have you got?" in
quired the 'incorrigible child after a
pduoC. IL.
al don't know, 1 never counted.
How many have you?n - - =
about 90 or 80; but mine don't
look as nice as mas"
"Your ma has very pretty teeth"
eyes, she ought to haven ~
"Why do you say thatP''.
"Cause she paid enough for 'em.
Didn't you know she bought 'em from
the dentist, and paid an awful lot of
money for 'em. wish they didn't cost
so much; for ma said she couldn't buy
me new cloak this winter, cause she
had to pay so much for her teeth"
Really" thought Mr.. Worthington
in perspiration, 90 this terrible child is
likely to reveal to me all her mothers
secrets. wish her mother'd come in.
l don't feel right listening to all she
says 1 wouldn't be her father for
good deal"
Just then Mrs. wilkins did come in,
smiling and little flushed, having been
in the warm kitchen. She could hardly
have looked SO complacent if she had
known how much Celestina Maria had
revealed during her short absence from
the room.
81 am sorry to have left you so long,
Mr.. Worthington, she said; "but
these servants are not to be trusted en-
tirely. | have to look after Susan lit
tie, or she would make sad blunders. J."
"You are quite excusable, madam
said the bachelor politely.
al hope Celestina Maria has not
troubled you," said her mother.
80 no, not at all"
"Get down from the gentleman's
lap" said Mrs. Wilkins. "You are too
heavy"
Mr. Worthingtou didn't object, for
he began to feel that Celestina was
heavy.
Soon the supper-table was laid, and
the three sat down. 1t is needless
to say that the repast spread upon it
was an inviting one, for Mrs. Wilkins
pressed Mr., Worthington Hospitality to
do justice to the repast, and he began
to forget Celestina's revelations as to
her mothers age and teeth, when the
young lady, evidently becoming FESTIVE,
began to nudge her mother.
anal" said she.
"Be quiet, Celestina Maria. Can't
you'll" said the widow, who was pour
ing out cup of tea for Mr.. Worthing-
ton. ~.
81 want that cake.r
What cakeP" inquired Mrs. Wilkins
in the most unlucky forgetfulness.
s'The cake you promised me if /
would not say any thing about the gen.
tleman's long nose!" was the startling
reply. T.F V.9e.TT2 !.
1t is hard to say which became most
flashed and embarrassed, the bachelor
or the widow mr. 81
lyon. perverse child - exclaimed the
widow, shaking her offspring with
emphasis. "Why do you tell such
wicked lies?'' ~ 81
"But you did, ma, y persisted Celest-
ina. -a ~-ztg -..f $50 ti'7sge -a,ti-
This was too much for Mrs. wilkins
She took Celestina by the arm, and put 4
her out of the room, returning to her
place in great embarrassment.
"She is a troublesome child, Mr..
Worthington, said the mother. "iYou
mustn't think any thing of her unlucky
speeches."
go, certainly not, said the bachelor;
but it is to be feared that he did, for the
conversation tagged after that, and he
took an early leave.
He didn't propose to Mrs. Wilkins,
who is still a widow. She has, however, |
dispatched Celestina Maria to distant \
boarding-school, and is busy with fresh
plans of matrimonial nature in which,
as Celestina Maria is away, she may
succeed.
Tho Sfrinad RuU