The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-09-04

WOrld-nO one Sne cOulu lain W, Iilh
herself out to, as she could to him. Of
course there was not. Wasn't he her
own. part of herself? Oh, Miles! dar-
line Milesi why had she left him? A
horror of the distance between them
came over her-a horror of the days it
would take to get to him. She felt that
she should scream.
Meanwhile the others went on talking.
" Colored people have so little sense OF
the sanctity of the marriage tie, her
mother was saving. "Most of them are
in the condition of the woman of Sa-
maria, who, having had seven husbands,
could not be said to be married to the
last. NV own conviction Is that nothing
but death can dissolve the marriage
bond
You don't believe" Frank Lee said,
flippantly, - in the proposed amendment
to the marriage service: 80 long as We
both shall lore? 2 .
"That is perfectly horrid,' spoke up
Belle. .'Mamma, | agree with you en-
tirelv. Once married, always married.
Why, st. Paul did not even believe in
widows marrying again. am of St.
Paul's opinion"
"You always were an extremist,
! laughed Judge Drake. % However, L
have no doubt that Miles would indorSe
your views"
The next day Belle put up a bundle OF
clothes that would either fit Alilly or else
/ could be cut down for the children. She
/ also filed basket with food. Then she
cantered across fields, and instructed
Peter to 90 to the house for bundle and
basket. .sYou'll have to make two
trips, Peter, but you'll not mind that p
.'No, indeed, miss. He's thankful to
90. IF he are not a-tramplin' roun' in
one place, he are in anoder. Goodbye,
miss. Is dat thankful"
Belle went on her way. Presently
she saw Judge Drake coming down the
/ highway. also on horseback. She rode
down to the fence which kept her faith
er's land from the public road, and
! saluted Happy YOU, to ride where
you WILL" she said. My powers are
! confined in a narrow Utica, and tired
enough | get of it,
Come with me- Judge Drake sug-
gested.
Belle heSitated: then she Signaled Pc
ter. who was still within call and sight,
and gave him message to take to " the
house. This done, she put her mare at
the fence, and joined Judge Drake on
the road.
"It is a close day. the Judge said.
Unreasonable for early November"
" Nasty weather." agreed Belle.
'sOh. how miss the clear, bracing air
of Belleplaine! Miles thought the eli
mate was too severe for me-" tibbed the
Grant wife: .. but | am coming to the
conclusion that it would suit me better
than this, in the long rum
"There is no such thing as Utopian
climate philosophical Judge Drake;
Every place has its advantages and
disadvantages. Adaptability, that's the
main NATTER
In her present mood, adaptability
struck Belle as being cardinal virtue.
She was seized with a frantic desire to
practice it all the rest of her life. Only,
she wanted to practice it in Wisconsin
rather than in Virginia.
Judge Drake and Belle rode on until
they came to the country town. .
have an errand at the Courthouse, >
Judge Drake said; 81 should have
thought of that What will you do with
yOurSelf?"
"Let me see. I'll-I'll-oh, I'll buy
some blue flannel, and take it to Ara
minta to make me sacque. Will you
come for me there?"
Agreed. Araminta was known to fame
as the favorite dress-maker Of the neigh
borhood. Judge Drake knew her cor
ner well Belle made her purchase, land
turned her horses head in the direction
of Araminta'S. A decent-looking color
ed man came forward and helped her to
alight when she stopped. Araminta
awaited her in the doorway with cor
dial welcome. "My brother, miss,
! she explained, by way of introduction
Ben scraped a profound Salutation.
81 thought YOU were barber il
Richmond" Belle said, who knew al
the family histories of all the people tal
and wide.
Yes, miss, | was in business dar.
looked on it as permeal business, too
, | Gin particular attention to ladies' anC
chillen's ha'r-cuttin' and shampOoin'.
} had right smart oh custom too, miss
But | he'd to quit"
, 81 wonder ut that, Ben"
81 he'd sight oh trubble, miss. Nj!
, wife she deserted me, an | tux dat 81
I hard made up my min ter quit bust
, ness fur bit, an stop wild Aramint;
ontil was less Uneasy in my min.
eyes. his wife she run off wild Il mar
ried man. Oar dey are both on 'em
libbin Jest like they was highly desen
on, D-;p+ COn,fol.t -
"Old Point Comfort repeated Belle
struck with the coincidence.
, "I'll tell you who she ran off wild,
/. pursued Araminta, unfolding the tlan
mel. "You know dat ar black Mill.
what lives on your place? Her ole man
He's black nigger as ever you see, ant
she's rale likely bright girl, miss
bright as Ben
Bright refers to complexion, and de
) notes a pale shade. Ben disappeared
at this iuncture, taking the horse to ii
: to post across the street.
"sWere the girl and Ben married?'
asked Belle, hesitatingly. She respected
, Araminta'S social position, which wa
, excellent, although a cOlored one. Still
, there was no telling where these elias
distinctions offended morals, and wher
they did not.
. married? Laws yes, miss. Marrie
: four years ago, in the West Stree
| Colored Baptist Church. Married a
t fast As a spring"
:. And Ben is such nice man! Good
nessl there comes Judge Drake. Well
z Araminta, there's the flannel, and yO
! have my measure, and | want You t
: make il real pretty pattern for me
Ron Tn, sorry Won had so much tlnubl