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

Yes, ma'am.'' said Sam, con
founded. The Brown boys" were tho
neighborhOod synonym for outrageous.
ness, and Miss Ruth must be beside her.
self However there was no chance fol-
remonstrance, for with his "yes
ma'am'' she had turned into the Post
office, with "A - Good-by, then, till even
ing and Sam walked on wondering
what he had better do.
- You've got me in fine mess, - Har-
vey Brown said. when Sam told them OF
the promise made for them, but in spite
of shamefacedness curiosity was strong.
Linda shifted audibly as she answered
the ponderous knocker, which Ruth
would not allow to be changed for a bell,
and ushered the boys into the dining
room, where great table, on each end
of which a bright light burned, had
been drawn near the fire. Ruth knew
that a table was at once occupation and
screen for awkward feet and hands, the
former finding shelter in the shadows,
the latter turning over the illus
trated papers towards which the
boys looked at once. Miss
Dysart sat there quietly knitting, with a
pleasant word for each in answer to
their awkward greeting, and then Ruth,
with slightly heightened color, spoke
her thought.
"Boys, have been thinking how very
stupid and dull great many of these
winter evenings are, and l am sure they
can be pleasanter for every one of us.
We never get any amusements from
outside because we are so far away, and
| | think we grow restless and discon-
! tented when there is none Now what
| propose may not be very amusing but
at least we can try it and see. Suppose
we travel little, in spite of the deep
snow, and in this fashion: We all have
places we would specially like to see
| sometimes in our own country, some
! times in others. Let us take turns in
choosing a place and then finding out
all about it. | have pictures, you see
great many of them-and | think you
will find there is some pleasure in this
way of travelling. But as you are not
at all sure whether your will like it or
not, we must see. Sam, where would
you like best to go?n
Taken by surprise, Sam answered af-
ter moments confused thinking:
The Mammoth Cave
"Why?"
Again Sam meditated
"Because | used to look at the pic
ture in my old geography"
cts curious you should have said
that" said Ruth, "because the first
package of views on that table is one of
views in the Cave. l was there long
ago with Aunt, but never forgot it"
"Tell us about it, please" said Sam,
eagerly, and Ruth brought two or three
light stereoscopes and laid them on the
table. then talked on simply but in most
vivid fashion, giving the story of the
long expedition. Each view suggested
many questions; Miss Dysart Joined at
times with some bit of "reminiscences.
and when the clock struck 9 the BOYS
looked up in establishment as Linda en-
tered with tray on which were cups of
steaming coffee and plate of sand
witches
at is so cold tonight you need the !
coffee to fortify you for your walk in the
wind, Miss Dysart said, talking on so
pleasantly that they forgot awkward
ness.
"Tom Anderson's been up in that |
cave, near Lake DunmOre, where Ethan |
Allen hid," said Sam, ''but it isn't
much more than a big hole He'd like |
to see these pictures, Miss Ruth. Would .
you mind telling it over again?"
"Not Bit" said Ruth, "if YOU will
not be tired of hearing it twice
There amt any danger of that
said Harvey Brown. Il feel as if I'd
been there
"Then I shall expect you Saturday
night" said Ruth. .'You and the An
derSOnS.''
The Anderson boys came at the ap-
pointed time; the story seemed to lose
none of its interest in repetition, and
from the Mammoth Cave they passed to
others.
"SuppOse we look up all the wonder
full caves in the world Ruth had said,
after an evening with that of Elephanta,
illustrated by some photographs sent by
a friend in Calcutta. The Giants
Causeway isn't exactly cave, but there
are some beautiful views of it. Wen
have that for next time
A" But | don't know how said Sam.
who usually acted as spokesman. 81
ion't know any body but you that
Knows"
You shall find out" said Ruth: and
IN their next evening she had the great
ltlaS, the encyclopedia, and volume of
3ayard Taylor's travels in which full
account was given. The boys looked
lskance at the books, but soon found
hey were not enemies but friends. Ruth
lad one or two of the wild legends con-
lected with the spot, and told them with
20 much dramatic effect that Harvey
Brown declared he would not dare to 90
through the long bridge alone.
" smighty ike geography lesson"
aid Tom Anderson, who had regarded
he whole thing with grave suspicion,
but it's the Jolliest geography lesson |
yer heard. / Shan't object no more"
Full of misgivings before each fresh
lttempt. success seemed to wait upon
Zach. Ruth smiled inwardlv as her au-
Hence grew, and she came to have all
he boys from Is to 20 that the neigh
,orhood afforded. The widest rumOrs -.
we're current. She played cards with :
hem-she danced with them-she en- :
outraged infidelity; it was going to be ,
Is bad in the end as the bar-room.
gradually the effervescence subsidized. 1t
vas seen that there was less desire to !
Dam the country at large. The Brown !!
boys came into Deacon Sherburne's one
vening to talk over some knotty point
With sam, and the Deacon found him. {
elf insensibly interested. as well as as
onished that these boys showed so little :
# the cloyen foot. When three months {