The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-09-25

brings certain class, but their lives are
as Joyless as life in treadmill. And
yet here Is this lovely country, and
these farms that ought to be homes and
not prisons. Now, don't YOU suppose
IT possible to stir up some sense Of pride,
some patriotism-if that is the word
something that viii make these BOYS
willing to stay, and will give them some
thing to think about? Aunt Mercy,
have plan. Now listen, and see what
You think. -
Tea first, child, and thee may talk
afterward. Thee should be hungry
al believe | am,i Ruth said, as Lin
da, the servant-who with her husband,
George, was a relic of the former Dy-
Sart prosperity-op the door and
showed the small round table laid for
two and almost lost in the great room,
which, however, with its open fire and
the soft light of the student-lamp held
its own cheer.
" Miss Ruth, she's at her old ways"
Linda said as she went presently into
the kitchen. 1--WE been a-wOnderin'
what she'd find to take up, but she's got
her hands full now.''
answered, discontentedly, as Linda end
ed her summary of what she had been
able TO CLEAN from the conversation,
i" Longs it's beggars and riff-raff YOU
| don't so much care; but this is Just a.
lettin' herself down TO low people that
won't know bat what she's always done
it. I'd speak to Miss Dysart. Miss
| Ruth don't see.n
I" It's past any time for speakin',"
Linda groaned, as she rubbed off the
waflle-iron. Its all cut and dried.
Lawsi was sure there wouldn't be no
muSsin' here, but it's begun, an Miss
Dysart she'll be spendin' all her money
sure's you're born
George shook his head, and continued
to shake it as he moved about, but the
opposition from the kitchen did not
reach the parlor.
Ruth devoted the evening to looking
over a vast collection of photographs
and stereoscopic views, and to asserting
them in carefully numbered and marked
piles while Aunt Mercy made various
changes in the contents of an old
fashioned bookcase in the corner of the
dining-room. The south parlor where
they always sat in winter, had two deep
recesSes each filled with books, Ruth's
special favorites being in her own room
overhead. In fact every room they in
habited became the library temporarily,
for Ruth and Aunt Mercy had Il fashion
of looking up any question that interest
ed them, and bringing to bear every en-
cyclopedia or reference-hook which
b., IL, =.
and their library was not only well filled
with standard and general literature but
had a range of authorities seldom found
outside the walls of a profeSscd students |
armory. The temptation had been |
strong to lose herself in this society and |
forget human claims, and Aunt Mercy, |
who had mOurned little that /
this remote village must swallow
up her child just when most |
eager and most ready for work, smiled
as she saw her absorption, and child her.
self for forgetting that something always
waited the ready hand.
Sam Sherburne walking moodilv out
of the tavern, smelling of very strong
tobacco and with heavy eyes and pale
cheeks, was surprised and disconnected
tS. lllt ltAl dllcIlIOoii, NUN lllcl MIN |
and held out her hand.
1--WE are going the same way" she
said. ''Let us walk together, Sam"
Sam cOlored TO the roots of his hair;
then Strengthened himself and furtively
brushed off some lint sticking to his
coat He had often in the summer
rowed Miss Ruth down the river; had
taught her how to manage the oars; and
had looked on with pride in his pupil
when her own light boat she had sent to
Boston for took its place in the ''branchn
back of the old house. He had even
once or twice been asked to tea, but
since fall this had not happened. He
knew she must have heard of his wild
ness, and supposed she would not care
to speak to him.
Sam was one of the New England boys
who had no overmastering longing for .
4 college education, who had never
taken very kindly to his books and who
was merely Il healthy, fun-lOving fellow, .
with some common sense, rather rudi-
mentary as yet, and great longing to
= see the world" meaning by this
either going out to a clerkship in some
narrow store, or possibly getting on one
IF the lake boats. But he was the only
BOY left; the farm waited for him, and {
vas one of the best in the county, and
3eniah Sherburne could not understand
Why the steady round of work was not
satisfying. !
A deacon in the Congregational l
Church, and with a sheaf of doctrines .
handed down. from his father and des- I;
ined in turn for Sam, who would never I
listen three minutes to their eXpound-
ne, the good man shook his head sor-
'owfully and added one or two more ;
,lauses to his daily prayers. The mother |
md he sat contentedly by the little stove
n the sitting-room. She darned and
patched and turned, with the S
lifelong habit of saving as strong t
low when its need was past rs in :
he early days They took the county c
PAPER, and had a few books bought from
persistent book-agents, but there was no q
ense of brightness and cheer in the mar e
'Ow quarters. and Sam shot out after 4
ca and could never be found till bed t
line. Even the dingy kitchens of the |
Canadians were better than his own v
nome, for there at least were Jest and t
aughter, or dance suddenly impro- c
Used if Baptiste appeared with his fid- a
lie. This was bad enough, the father {
bought, but when Sam was discovered v
,laying cards with the Brown boys in +
he barn boundless indignation had its l
way. Sam was thrashcd and ordered e
lot TO 90 near them, and the cards went v
nto the kitchen fire. :
The natural result followed. Out t
varly submissive but inwardlv rebellious O