The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1879-01-16
a MIDklGAT MYSTERY.

There was wild storm on tie Baltic
The raging pillows lashed the shore,
crashed amid the vivid flashes
Of lightning, and the rain fell at times
il torrents; but the quiet villagers of
were securely sleeping in their
beds, for it Was eleven o'clock at night,
and they were not wont to wander from
their homes after darkness fell upon their
habitations.
They were a hsrdy, simple race OF Peo-
pie, having very little knowledge of the
outside world. The men were mostly
fishermen and the women spinners of
fax.
l have said the good villagers were Sc
curely sleeping in their BEDS but l must
at least except the village priest, who sat
in his solitary room reading large book
beside his well>trimmed lamp, and Occa-
sionally pausing and raising MS head as
a blast more fierce than the rest shook
his little house to the very foundation.
At the period of which We write, the
village of Biornborg numbered scarcely
three hundred souls, and the church
where the priest oficisted stood at the
extreme end of the settlement, and
within hundred feet of the wave-w washed
shore.
As the venerable old man closed the
book he fell into deep meditation, His
lamp began to burn dimly and the solemn
silence OF his chamber was only broken
by the noise of the rushing sea and the
bowling of the gale. The hands of the
clock that stood in an angle of the room
had just met at twelve, and the priest
was in the act of seeking his couch, when
there came a loud knocking at the door
"Some OF my people are i'll, l fear,
murmured the good man as ne unbarred
the door.
When ne had done 50, two masked
men covered by long clOaks pushed
their way hastily into the apartment
one of them abruptly informing hin
that he must Immediately them immedi
ately to the church, as he was required
to celebrate marriage.
"Here!" exclaimed the man, hinginG
a purse upon the table, "this will com
pensste you for the trouble we are about
to give you"
As quickly as the priest could collect
his thoughts he mildly demonstrated
explaining that he was not permitted tt
perform such solemn rite without those
preparatory formslities which the Law
required.
"Cease that nonsense" cried the man
drawing pistol and putting the muzzl:
against the old mans head. Do oul
bidding without murmur, for unless you
obey, swear that l will shoot you"
The poor priest trembled and turned
pale. Il snail be ready in a moment,
he replied, and caught up his hat and
stick.
Come along, exclaimed the men a;
they stepped forth followed by the un'
willing clergyman.
The rain had ceased falling and a big
rift in the cloudn occasionally showed g
/ CLEAN of the moon.
d" thought the gale would abate
about, midnight" remarked one Of the
men to his fellow,
A simple bvmph!' was the only re.
I Spouse.
" We must ne or before daylight, . he
continued, "but we shall have a terrible
sea Tor the boats. Hear how the surf
I beats on the shore
Humph - came again from his COM
panion's lips, and then they relapsed
into silence. -.--
As they eme-y ed from behind one Of
the sand hills which surrounded the VII
lage, the prizes. started with surprise TO
behold his church Illuminated. He
gszed al the men as they strobe by his
side, and they appeared ike the spectres
to his heated imaoination. Matters
seemed to him Ike q dream, a few
moments more and they were at the
church portals. .-.
Stand I" commanded 5ne Of The men.
The priest obeyed, and quickly found p
bandage placed over his eyes.
" Take ny hand" said the man.
Again tie priest obeyed, and was led
rapidly through the door. a number of
voices as if disputing met his ear. but
almost immediately the sounds ceased
and all became quiet.
Arriving in front of the altar, the COW
ering over his eyes was removed, and he
could observe about a DOZEN persons
masked and keeping close in the shadow
of the walls. The large candles on the
altar were burning brightly; still there
were portions of the church over which