The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-10-16


the horses understanding her so perfectly
that they obeyed every infection Of her
voice.
On a certain memorable evening there
was present among the spectators Il
prominent young lawyer of this city, a
man of good looks, bearing, and means,
and who at that time was conducting
a lawsuit of the company, which led
him frequently TO the Office of the bust
ness manager, which was in the build
ing. On this occasion the two were
chatting together when Mdlle. Louise
entered. The lawyer remarked upon
her good looks. - Yes" said the mana
ger, E" but she is more than cookbook
ing. She is thoroughly good, and lives
like nun. There has never been one
word of scandal connected with her
name. She gets more flowers and love
letters than any other woman in the
company; but She never takes any no.
tice of either and won't even take them
home with her."
"Where does she come from?" asked
the lawyer.
THAT is more than any one has found
cut vet. She is lady, of that | am sure,
and | have heard her speak in both
French and German; but don't cast
your eve in that direction, my young
friend, or you win get shipped like the
rest
Nevertheless the man of legal lore be-
came anxious to know what manner of
woman this was, and finally got in the
habit of dropping in nearly every even
inc TO take look at her. For long
time she seemed obliviOUs to his pres
ence, though she could not help noticing
him, as he always stood in the same place ;
but one evening as. she drove into the
green room and jumped out of her char
lot her dress caught in the wheel; he
released it. She thanked him, and so
the acquaintance began. For time she
was only coldly polite, but, gradually
acquiring confidence in him, became
more talkative and cordial, though she
refused his repeated request to cal.
One evening Mr.. Barnum offered a
laurel wreath to the winner of the race,
and Mdlle. Louise declared she would
win it, but, nevertheless, through some
trife, she came in second. Seeing her
disappointment the gallant young lawyer
told her she should have another chance,
and forthwith he had made at Tiffany
an elegant gold-mounted riding-whip.
When the evening came the prize was
announced by the manager, and quite Il
flutter of excitement ensued.
As Mdlle. Louise mounted her chariot,
her admirer noticed that she was very
pale, and he said (half laughing and
half in earnesD, "Now, take care.
don't want any body killed in riding for
that whip" At this she shrugged her
shoulders disdainfully, and replied: " Do
you suppose | am afraid? No, it is not
that; but | hope L shall never leave that
track alive"
THAT is a dreadful speech to make. -
"Is it? Well, it needn't make any
difference to any one that | know of. >
Before he could reply the signal was
given, and the eight glittering chariots
drawn by thirty-twO magnificent horses,
adorned with golden harness and flying
ribbons, started. Every driver wore her
own color, and Mdlle. Louise had chosen
fiaring garments of pale blue, and he'll
met of silver. Down the track flew the
chariots and riders, the steeds seeming
to have a human understanding of the
struggle: the band burst into loud mar
tial strains; the people cheered, and
now red passed blue; then came yellow
to the front; but cleaning blue and sill
yer shot by; with tense faces and erect
figures the three women urged on their
horses, and the young lawyer watched
L II L ln-,,n,.a e,
race.
The goal was almost reached, and
with her fair hair flying over her blue
mantle, burning flush on either cheek,
and clenched teeth, Louise cheered on
her horses, only a length more, when
the woman in red pulled her steeds
slightly to the right-a fearful crash fol
lowed, the wild neigh of horse in ago
ny-a woman's groans, and crowd OF
Mortified attendants rushed to the res
cue, separated the horses, and drew
from under their feet the form of Louise,
for she had been thrown over the front
of the chariot under their very hoofs.
A litter was brought. She was laid
upon it, and, midst the murmurs and
EXPLANATIONS of the bystanders, was car
ried out. Almost the first at her side
was the young lawyer, who gazed with
terror on her cold, rigid form, with its
white, agonized face, upon which the
imprint of a hoOf, and the staring eyes
which saw nothing. Selling her hand
to feel her pulse, her fingers closed like
a wise on his, and with a convulsive eff
fort she murmured, "That was a terri
bic wish,n and relapsed into uncOn-
seriousness. Doctors were sent for, and,
on examination, they found an arm
broken, knee-cap almost crushed, and
many cruel bruises. She was carried
home, and, be it said to Mr.. Barnum' S
credit, was not allowed to want for any
thing. Her new friend called frequently
to leave fruit and flowers for her, and at
last, when she was pronounced con-
valescent, was admitted to her presence.
Then she told her story, simple, short,
and Sorrowful.
Born and brought up in a little town
not hundred miles from Albany, and
BY parents who, though not wealthy,
were in comfortable circumstances, and
the owners of a small hotel, she had led
a happy, joyous life, until she reached
Il, at which age she enjoyed all the dig
nifty of leading the village choir and
driving her own span of ponies. About
that time the salesman of a well known
firm in st. Louis stopped at her fathers
house, fell in love with her, proposed
marriage, and was accepted; she think
ing it a very fine thing to have a lover
from large city.
Shortly afterward they were welded,
and went to St. Louis to live, her hus-
band taking her to his sisters home.
His sister was a spinster of uncertain
age and temper, but having large in
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