The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-09-18
THE FAIRY GUEST.

John and Peggy Donnel lived half
way up Dooish Mountain, in region OF
frequent mist and storm. Far down be-
1uw them lay G;irtan Tough, embosom-
cd in rugged, furze-covered hills, and
shove and around stretched mile upon
mile Of mountain-acres of heather, the
abode of grouse -innumerable; patches
of grass, where droYes OF sheep and cat
lie grazed; and inaccessible heights,
known only to the golden eagle and her
wild brood.
Donnel was droYer; 4. e., he bought
Ep cattle, let them Craze upon the noun
fains, and sold them when fattened.
lie was very comfortably off, and his
cottage was well built and matched. He
found no difficulty in paying his rent to
The day, and had always abundance of
such simple food and clothing as salts
fed his desires. 1t was November
might Of storm and rain. The gusts
Numbered at the door, tossing the bare
szrms of the sycamores that grew near
the house: thew had swept along noun
tain defiles and across the gray waters
of the Tough, and now Shrieked and
Iawled madly round the gable. An
occasional lull in the storm brought the
o. clamor of sea-gull and cry of plover to
D0nnel's ear. He locked the door, stuff
o. ed 4 wisp of straw under it TO keep out
the cold wind, and sat down opposite
Peggy in the ample chimney-corner.
God send the cattle has found shell
ter the night" said he, shaking the
ashes ont Of his pipe.
Peggy was spinning She stopped
her wheel suddenly to ask, ibid you no
hear something, John, dear?n
"Ay, Peggy, heard the sough o the
wind
d" Whist, whist, honey! there it was
again: il wasna ike the wind. "
- Sure ii was the sea-guli an the
plover," replied her husband, care
lessly.
just then another blast of hurricane
swept across the lake and Numbered at
the door, tossing the carefully arranged
wisp of straw into the middle of the
kitchen.
at was a pitiful cry, but it wasna the
birds, let alone the wind, said Peggy,
listening intently.
sWha wad come to we'er door the
ni.ht?" asked John, impatiently.
g You're aye talking foolitchness since
vEylat villain, that thief o the world, Tim
-0'Brien, went AVA"
Two days previously the servant had
taken his departure without giving warn
inc, or letting his master and mistress
have the slightest inkling of his inten-
lion. They had both been oyerworked
since then, and the consequence was that
one was cross and the other tired and
nervous.
Again the whistling, raging blast.
Mrs. Donnel shivered, and muttered a
PRAYER for all sailors and wanderers as
she threw more turf upon the blazing
hearth. There was strange cry at that
very moment. She went to the door
and unlocked it, and while the wind
hurst in resistlessly, il brought some
1hiug ike human figure in along
with it.
Woman! womani" screamed the
outraged husband, jumping up with an
oath 10 re-shut and lock the door.
As the cloud of turf ashes began to
settle again, the figure, the gift of the
storm, was more distinctly seen. A mis-
cradle, stunted boy, thinly clad, without
cap or shoes and stockings, crouched
over the fire, holding his persisted hands
TO the warmth He had red hair, large
blue eyes, and a gentle, intelligent face.
Pe~gy Donnel felt her heart drawn to-
ward him at once.
.. Poor wean; but you're kilt wi the
wet an cold Did YOU come far the
day?'' she asked.
The poor boy lifted his large soft eyes
to her face without speaking.
BE seated an warm yourself; the
guide man makes you welcome"
The boy sat down on the stool she
placed for him before the fire, and smil-
ed al her in silence.
Who had the heart 10 LET the likes
- vou travel the night? What do they
csll YOU, my poor. wee man?'
No answer. g declare, he S dunl-
my. john cried she; "the poor
Yveanl"
The storm ragged on, but the wanderer
.,S-,s safe and happy He stretched out
MS bare feet on the warm flag-stone, and
~. steam rose from his rags, which had
heen soaked through with the rain.
kIeznwhile Peggy set back her wheel,
i $50 the not from the crook, and filed
a wooden bowl with mealypotatoes. The
hoy eyed them hungrily, and when she
.=,,Te,sd a handful OF salt on stool, and
Ii ). tin of milk into his hand, he need
.ad No further invitation.
Holm Donnel's i'll temper vanished as
r, watched the child eat his supper, and
1,eay,I his signs of contentment.