The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-06-24
Mr.. Potts Of Missouri.

everything, honest lnJun,' he said,
cheerfully, as he settled heavily into the
third seat from the door on the left side
If Fifth Avenue stage, uptown bound.
Tae stage had stopped nearly opposite
the City Hall to take him in. He was
atall, middle-aged man, Of great breadth
and girth, Enthusiastically a stranger to
the city. His tanned face, shaded by a
brand new black hat of imposing extent
of brim, and his big. Drowned hands
told of an active opcn-air life. His
new suit was Of black broadcloth. One
hand grasped a stout horn-handled
cane.
- think I've tasted almost every
thing in the liquia line, too, gentlemen
honest Injun,' he went on. seciag
that he had the attention Of all il me
stage. Then he laughed wholesome,
hearty laugh that might have been
heard in any other thOroughfdre than
Broadway a block away. Every one
laughed, and, to emphasize ispleaSure,
he brought his right hand down with a
resounding smack upon the knee of the
portly old gentleman on his left
Next he put his arm aflectionately
over the shoulder OF this gentleman,
and said, "Well, pard, what's your
line?''
- l am a counsellor at-law, sir" the
old gentleman replied.
co. he responded, gives your
card. I'll give you a lift" He saw
that the old gentleman hesitated.
" Perhaps you don't know who am.
Well, sir, I'm Mr.. Potts of Missouri.
| Come right in, sir. and have a seat Che
handed in slenderyOung clerk, crushed
| him down into a seat at his side, and
/ then took off his hat and waved it in a
/ cOurtly bow. Yes, sir, I'm from Mis-
souri,; and there amt no better farm
| anywhereS around, sir, than Jim Potts
honest lnjun. I've got more acres
/ than AstOr or Bill Vanderbilt, | tell
/ you; but I'm not stuck up. I'd like to
have an acre or two in New York,
though, because it's powerful city
greatest city on earth on the mixed
drinks question, | reckon. And I've
got some of the finest oxen, gentlemen,
that ever trod the sod. Why, one of
'em stands nigh as high as do, and you
see, gentlemen, I'm no weed. Well. bio
as he is, all I've got to DO when he's
hauling load on a down grade is to
hallOO this way he put both hands to his
mouth and shouted in tone that rivalled
the scream of a locOmotivel: Whoa,
Dickn You may wonder, gentlemen,
why man of my size carries 4 cane.
I'll tell you all about it. Well, was
telling a tree. Jim Potts, though he
isn't us young a man as he was forty
years ago, gentlemen, can't be beat on
tree telling up his way-honest Injun!
Well, gentlemen, that tree fell; the best
trees will fall queerly sometimes, you
know, but it fell my way. l jumped,
but | wasn't quick enough, and down
it came right on my leg here. And l
heard the bone 90 'c-r-i-c-k.' But l
can get around pretty lively yet. Per-
haps you gentlemen would like to know
more about me, now that we're getting
sociable. Well, I'll show you the doc
umentS.'
Mr.. Potts, of Missouri, then took from
his inner breast-pOcket wallet of the
size that bank collectors use, and, open
ing it, displayed mass of checks and
drafts that increased the likeness of the
wallet to bank collectors. He fshed
out letter of introduction and handed
it to the old lawyer, who ljusted his
gold spectacles and read. Meanwhile,
Mr.. Potts gazed benevolently about
him, occasionally leaning forward and
slapping some one on the knee as a sig
nal to join in one of his resonant laughs
The old lawyer was impressed by the
terms in which Mr. Potts of Missouri
was mentioned in the letter, for, as soon
as he had finished, he made haste to get
out one of his cards and hand it to Mr..
Potts.
Much obliged, Mr.. Potts said, with
wave Of his hat. "ru give you lift
honest Injun." Just then a stylishly-
attired young man climbed the steps,
and struggled into the doorway of the
stage.
Hold these a moment" Mr.. Potts
of Missouri cried, and he put his pie
thoric wallet and cane into the lap of
the gentleman opposite him, and,
stretching out his arm, lifted the young
man into the middle of the stage, handy
to the cashbox. His get-up evidently
pleased Mr.. Potts. He scanned it
closely. Then he leaned over and wills
pGI6u COuuucutldilk L TechOn you re
one of those Knickerhockers that we
hear so much about in MissouriP'
The custodian of Mr.. Potts wallet
and cane restored them and he put the
wallet back into his pocket.
"Now, gentlemen, I've shown you
cOllaterals and l don't mind showing
you the cash Che dove one hand into his
right trousers pocket and half Withdrew
it, But | guess | won't after all They
told me up in Missouri that | oughtn't
to show my money in New York" The
stage was abreast of the Irving Hotel
and Mr. Potts rose.
well, gentlemen, he said, I'm
real sorry to part with you. Let's shake
hands. Whenever you come out to Old
Missouri just ask for Jim Potts. He'll
give you a right hearty welcome and Il
show you all over the place-the corn,
the wheat, the pigs, the cows, the sheep,
Dick and all-hOnest Iniun;' and
Potts swung himself heavily out of
... stage, and stood in the center Of
the crush of vehicles waving his hat in