The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-08-22
JOHN BRAY AND HIS "KID."

She VIII De mere IN week. muir
INJURED Arthur Coggshall, as he looked
up from his writing; 4" she and my little
Lily-God keep them till they arrive
safe, hope, and happy"
The news spread through the camp.
"Parson's wife and kid are coming"
said one rough fellow TO another, rum
ming his fingers through his heavy
red beard. ''There's not a woman or
a baby round within hundred miles
We of the Roaring River'l be able to
brag-but | wish twas some other chap
than the parson."
The miner who spoke had the reputa-
ton of being the worst man in camp,
as well as the smartest. He was a
powerful fellow, over six feet tall, pro-
portionately broad-shouldered, and ex-
ceptionally though rudely handsome
He lost no opportunity to counterfeit
whatever of good influence the " par
son was eXerting.
The parson, Arthur Coggshall, was
slender, pale, gifted man. John Bray,
in his rude health and contempt for
book-learning," of course looked
down upon him. He never swore so
hard as when the minister was in hear
ing, and even the simple speech he
made about the parsons wife and kid
was full of blasphemy.
The minister sat at the door of his
miners hut, and looked along the
grand breadth and height of the won
derful mountains, blazing now in count
less colors under the midday sun.
"Carrie will see this-Carrie will adj
mire that" he said, softly, to himself,
and then dared not think of it, for fear
some unforeseen trouble or accident
should mar his TOO great happiness.
What dreams were his! The whole
camp of three hundred must, if possible,
be led to become honest, God-fearing
men. Long before this, he had thought
it would be done but for John Bray.
They had even collected the timber for
a church, but Bray had ridiculed the
whole undertaking, and the result was
the men were ashamed to continue it.
Every day, now, the miners expected
the "new lot " they had heard were
coming to the mines, and the emigrants
were supposed to be within days Jour-
ney. A few of the better sort took horses
to 30 and meet them. The minister
went with them. in less than two hours
the miners returned bearing the dead
body of the parson, whose horse had
taken fright some few miles from the
camp and thrown him. His head had
struck a rock, and the good man died
without a groan.
Parsons dead, eh?n said Bray, with
an oath, and running his great brown
fingers through his bushy red hair.
whats to become of his woman and
kid?n
"You know as we'll as do" was the
answer. For my part, I'd rather be
over in the bend when the critters do
come than to meet the parsons wife and
tell her what's happened"
$50 parsons dead!" muttered Bray
again, Struggling his broad shoulders, |
and casting a side-glance at the hut
where the clay form rested" parsons |
dead. Well, dunno as l liked him;
but l reckon he never did me no harm. |
and now he's stepped out, some way L
feel bad he's gone"
Toward night, the party came in. The I.
miners heSitated to break the news to .
the eager, pretty-looking, pale-faced /.
woman, who had braved the long Jour /
ney, in delicate health, to meet her mis- /
sionary husband. She looked about
for him. The child--a very cherub for
beauty, of six years-pulled at her |
gown, and cried, where's papa? | |
want to kiss him."
1t was a terrible hour. Every body .
shrank from he but John Bray.
"Won't you go bring my papa?n ask I.
ed the child, leaving her mother and I.
IA L.
The man shook his big head, and even
his mouth trembled.
al can't do that, my little kid" he
said, without an oath. "Your pa has
given in his checks, little un He would
ride ugly Bess, and the beast threw
him, and"-
A cry that seemed to echo as from a
hundred breaking hearts pierced the |
sweet summer air, and the parsons |
wife had fallen to the ground. John |
lifted her in his strong arms and car
RED her straight into the hut, though |
the others protested against it.
% She'll want to be near him, / know |
that" he said; and he was right.
spda5!l that night one could hear the low, |
nized means in that dinly lighted |
-liner's hut and some of the rough, SYM
pathizing men remained sitting about /
outside. The moon looked in upon the /
teal. ess grief of the one mourner, the /
beau fully sculptured features of the 4
dea man, and the lovely sleeping face /.
of the little child, so curiously like that /
9th Pr in its long repose.
John Bray walked round and round .
the hat the whole night. He seemed to