The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-04-24
THE MORTGAGED FARM.


looking up suddenly SIS the tall. old
fashioned clock in the corner rang out
its shriu announcement; six O'Clock,
aKA-oh, mother! here is Jenny Lane,
punctual to the very moment. Now we
shall have good news from Jack, l
hope"
She ran out of the gate, flushed aud
eager to receive the letter from the
country carrier, and returning seated
herself on a low stool at her mothers
feet and broke the envelope.
On the fist glance at its contents,
shade of disappointment dimmed her
bright face.
Instead of reading the note aloud, she
glanced hurriedly over the brief lines
and then silently, with a quivering lip,
placed it in her mothers hand and
turned aside to the window.
This is what Mrs. Hilyard read:
DEAR MADAM saw your son few days
since. when, to my surprise, he expressed
himself reluctant to apply his money to the
reJeeming of the mortgage, saying that he
requires it for a speculation which promises
to be more profitable to him than the farm.
/ have, therefore, been compelled to dispose
of the mortgage to a gentleman Of my ac>
qua ntapce, who proposes to take immediate
posssgsf on, and consider it my duty TO inf
form YOU thereof. in order that you may
lose no time in making arrangements Tor
remoyaL Very respectfully,
ABNKR HARRIS.
Mrs. Hilyard returned the letter to its
envelope with trembling hand and a
dszed, bewildered look, as though unable
to realize the blow which had so sud-
denly fallen upon them.
Her eyes met Msrion's, and the CIR
threw herself upon her knees by her
mothers side and burst into passion OF
tears,
{" Oh, mother, mother! what shall we
do What will become OF us!"
"The Lord will provide" said Mrs.
Hilyard, raising her overlooking eyes to
the motto on the wall, embroidered by
Msrion's own hand. Where is your
faith, my child, that it should fail you
in this very hour Of need ?"
Mother, it is not 50 much the loss of
our home, nor the poverty and trial in
store that grieves me, but that Jack
your own sonny own brother-should
have 80 changed. Oh, mother, | know
thst our Father in heaven will not de-
sert us, but to whom on earth can we
turn when even Jack can become world
Iy and hesrtless? !"
At this moment little blue-eyed
girl burst into the room with:
Mamma mamma! here is Miss
Melia Anderson at the gate in her buggy,
She says will you step out minute, fol
she wants to tell you about old Mr.. Mil
lard being sunstruck; and she daren't
leave her horse without somebody tC
hold him"
Marion was in no condition to listen
to Miss Melia, the greatest gossip in the
neicbbcrhood 20 Mrs. HilysId, drying
her eyes, was in civility compelled tC
see she informal visitor. Marion, bel
hesd resting upon the window sill behind
the screen of clinging roses, could have
heard every word spoken; but, absorbed
in her grief, she paid no attention until
the name of Wat Hinton struck upon
her eal.
90 It's true, for certain for Maria had
it fIom his own sister, Aggie Hinton.
Says Maria in her mild way, IF he come:
back with all that money'-you know
his uncle Samuel left him most of hi;
property last year--ssys Maria, il be
comes back rich, i mean to set my car
for him. On which Aggie answers
fOn. YOU needn't for he's to be married
before long, and TO real nice pretty
girl OF course Msris wanted to know
all about it but Aggie only laughed il
her mysterious way, until Maria says
believe you are joking when Aggit
replies, If Walter isn't married before
winter I'll make you & present of MY
new earrings which he has sent me-.
So you see it's certain sure; and nc
dou6. he'll bring his bride to visit hi.
family, and then, tell Marion, we may
look OFT for grand party. When the
Hintc1s undertake to do things, they
slwayE dc it handsomely"
Marion stayed to hesr no more. Gid.
ing or: of side door, she crossed the
garden, passing little Myra, who wa:
Tending s snow white calf, her grea;
pet snd treasure, and who called out tc
her 70 " see how fast SNOWFALL was grow.
lug"
Poor little sister, 1t would be as hard
upon her as upon her mother and her,
self TO leSve the dear old home, with 81
the scenes and objects endeared to then