The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-08-28

81 said 'twant't so warm here as over
! to the Stove where / was a-sitting. Youh
Just better let me shove that dow, y
persuasively, and stretching out a
brawny hand.
"No-"
"But l tell you the cold comes in
lively surveying the crack, half filled
by the magazine stuffed into it, leaving
open mere mouse-hOle. "I'm not as
comfortable here as | was over by the
stoYe.''
,aWhy don't you 90, back, then?'' I
charitably suggested. 1t wasn't nee
essary for You to come here, to begin
with
Another pause. A fresh charge.
g say, amt you cold?''
"No."
"Ain't You afraid Of taking coldP"
"You haven't got any thing the mat
ter with your lungs, have you?"
"No.'i
"Throat all right?"
| yes"
A cessation of hOstilities. Truce soon
| broken. .-
81 say, hadn't you better let me put
down that Window"
! "No."
A breathing space, vigorous hitch
to the coat-collar, longing look toward
the fiery dragon of iron and coal.
h" And you amt afraid?'
"Nor' ~ ..I.
H-h-h-m-yo" call yourself strong
minded, now don't you?''
Il would be sorry to call myself
weak-minded.
"Speak. Don't you?'
"Make lectures?''
eyes"
" Get paid pretty well?''
YES"
" Ever talk any?'' ssfffs
!" Yes
You don't say! Dye mind telling
a fellow whether you ever speak more'n
one word ut time?''
"That depends upon circumstances,
judicially pronounced. cat present |
prefer motto talk at ALL" ICY
At which he stared, pOndered, looked
at me, at the air-hole, rubbed his side
ment-gOt it.
Meaning me? Oh, you needn't
apologize. | can take hint as well as
another fellow. never put in where
amt wanted, not if | know it. No.
Where might you hang out your shin
gle?
al said where might your home be?"
Philadelphia
Philadelphia? You don't see much
of it, reckon?'
"No.''
'Old folks living?''
Silence.
81 said l hoped your pa was lively
yet" insinuatingly.
"No.n
90 You don't mean to say he's dead?''
a nOd-in despair. .lE
"Sho! well! It's natural. People
do die. Ma to home?'
"YeS.n
"Ever travel round with yOu?" ~
"No.''
"Never? =. And she. amt afraid to
have You travel round alonee No?
reckon, then, you're chip of the old
block. Got snap to her, has sheP''
am too busy about the much dis
cussed window to make reply. 81
81 asked whether your ma was like
y0u? Has she got 90 to her?'
/ am not yet done with the, window
and my dumbness.
"Nell, we'll let the old lady drop.
You don't like my talking about her, !
reckon-from the color of your face.
Got temper, haven't you?' ~
( eyes
AZ thought SO. Got it from your pa
or map"
SCOT it-from being compelled TO see
and hear such people as you,'' | de-
fined Ne
More rumination, side-whisker again
rubbed, situation faced boldly.
brothers and sisters like you? May
be you haven't any. How many broth
ers and sisters might you have?'' -
81 might have fifty" growl l, d" but
| haven't. -
"No? Lost some Pr .
A relapse again into a silence fast
verging on imbecility. -
.'DOn't like to talk about your family,
mebbe. Some people don't. l don't
mind. Leave talk about my folks as not.
Got any objection to my asking how old
you are?'
"None in the world"
A nod and prolonged pause.
You haven't told me-"
"You haven't asked me"
More meditation. This time resulting
in no enlightenment. a
'sI.did, but don't mind asking you
once again. How old are you?"
'.Old enough to mind my own bust
ness, and to tell other people to mind
theirs. You will really do me a favor,
my friend, by asking me no more ques-
tions.'' Nf&Es
The irrepressible seemingly settled in
to profound reverie, and | thought my
purgatory was ended. Vain thought
he came up to the next round, smiling.
Lecturings your trade, amt it? You
make your bread and butter by it, don't
yOu?'' -
My tired head nodded what served for
an assent. aS2
"Well, now, ais grist that comes to
your mill, then? One fellows stamps
ares goods as another's, hey?"
| am forced TO admit it.
well, now,'' growing emphatic and 1
dragging out some greasy looking bills
and currency, - Look here. You'll
never lecture in our town. It's too
darned small. But I'd like to hear what
YOU can do when your steam's up l
tbourht I pet a free blowout. but