The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-03-28
SAM'S JUDGMENT.

"Hen-e-ry! Hen-e-ry! Say! Hen-e-ry
Pine, where be YEP"
Almira Commonly called Miry) Calk-
ms shrieked this summons from the
back-door of the farmhouse. The
month was April; the weather, for that
day, vernal. Crocuses gilded the posy-
bed here and there; few red buds
decked the maple branches. Arobin or
two hoped wist.ully about the chip
yard, keeping an eye out for aggressive
hens; but as it was morning, those
danes of price were busy with domestic
cares in fragrant follows of the haymow
or cavernous barrels half full of clean
shavings, made ready for such eXigen-
cies, while the cock was far a-tield pick
ing up the early worm, so the robins
were undisturbed.
Miry was embodied Spring herself, as
she stood on that rough stone, her shin
ing hair knotted in a golden bunch be-
hind her head, her face rosy as peach,
her ewes bright and cool as gold gray
eyes can be, and her trim little figure
clad in clean calico gown, with a
striped bib-apron, while rolled-up
sleeves displayed to the elbow a pair Of
sturdy arms, and her strong short hands
grasped the broom handle.
What do We want?" a CHEEKY voice
responded, as handsome young fellow
lifted his dark head from behind the
wood-pile, and smiled at the girl, with a
glitter of mischief in his eyes.
- didn't know as your name was
Henery," said Miry, with 4 sniff.
10, - srif hat Mt =
sorter policy to take what We can git, -
returned Sam Peters, with a smile.
" Mebbe eff We hollered mite louder,
Hen would hear ye."
Hen e-ry!n screamed the girl again !;
and as the word left her lips, sheep
ish looking fellow came stumbling out
of the barn with hatful of eggs.
''Ben a-layin' on 'em, Hen-tashion, a"
put in Sam, in a stage aside Mira
wanted to laugh at this rustic joke, but
she was vexed with Sam, so she bit her
lips; but her eyes would glitter.
Was YOU a-callin' me?n said Henry,
ambling up TO the door.
Yes, was; don't ye know your
name yet, Hen Pine?"
"Well, naow, We see, was up to the
top o. the NOW. | heerd ye; but eff I'd
"a hollered back, l. "a skeert the old hen
outen her wits
"Maybe you'd a picked 'em up"
dryly remarked Sam, shouldering his
AK and going off to the woodshed with
an armful of kindlingS.
Mira threw an indignant glance at
him, and proceeded to do her errand
to Henry. Sam was out of her good
graces Just now. He had talked too
much to Emily Snow at last nights
quilting. And who was going TO believe
all his nonsense, when he could talk i
whole hour to another girl? 1t did not
occur to Mira that she had refused his
escort to the aforesaid quilting, and he
had been obliged to 90 with Emily in
consequence. If consistency is a jewel,
according to the much veNed quotation,
il is not one that women wear; perhaps
ii is reserved for collar buttons and scarf
pins.
Now Sam Peters and Henry Pine,
though they were both " hired out" to
old Jehiel Calkins, were also his daugh-
ter'S lovers-a state of things neither
anomalous nor uncommon in old New
England, where many Jacob served
his time for Rachel, and grew up into a
patriarch with flOcks and herds of his
own.
But neither Almira Ror her lovers
knew vet who would succeed in this
service, nor whether, indeed, some third
man might not step in and distance
them both. Henry had one powerful
ally in the well known fact that his
father had means" as Y2nkeedom
phrases it, and Mira had keen eye for
the goods and gauds of this present
world. Good hard common sense lined
that low square forehead, and the firm
chin, almost too prominent for symme-
trv, told its story of resolute will and
stern determination. She did not un-
derrate that big farmhouse OF So
Pines, with its stretch of level mead
ows living far to the south, sheltered by
great hills wooded to their SUBMITS, and
on their lower terrace bearing orchards
full of pink and white promise and
golden performance. She liked a snug
prospect for the future, garnished and
well stored home; but then Henry was
so stupid such an utter lout.-kind'
hearted, dull-witted, with no re-
source and no energy; while Sam was
intelligent, alert, quick-witted, and full
of courage-and so handsOmel In her
secret soul Mira admired Sam nightly,
but he was only one of seven children,
and bis widowed mothers sole posses
sion Law in a wild mountain farm, par.
italy cleared as yet, and the other si1
were girls. 49, -