The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-10-21

lOuAt1cSt OtiRuS always W OO W.
So. about one o'clock, when their
father and uncle were galloping here
and there in search of them, they were
sitting at their rock table cracking more
nuts, and listening proudly to the MINI
ic roar of the water going over the dam
they had just completed.
Sometimes they heard faint echoes
and queer hootings off in the distance
well play it's Indians, and we're
hiding from them" said Kitty, never
dreaming that all the men in the neigh
borhood OF her home were hunting and
hallooing through the forest for two
very lost children. Once, when the
shouts came quite near, the echoes
mixed up things, so that Kitty was al
most frightened, and drew her brother
into the shelter of some thick bushes.
alt sounds like crazy man, she said.
After while the noise slowly died
away down the mountain-side, and the
woods seemed more comfortable to
Kitty. But sunset drew near, and still
there came no cheerful father-voice.
The suppsrOf butternuts was not very
jollv one. Ted tried to be brave, but
finally he. dropped his face into his
elbow and walled forth, 81 want some
bread and butter" and cried loud and
long.
''If we only had matches" sobbed
Kitty, after Ted's cries had hushed q
little, 'we could make a fire, and-and
maybe find something TO roast"
Ted stopped crying by trying very
hard, and began to examine his pock-'
cts. The prospect of bonfire is cheer
ing, even to a hungry boy. First dull
iack-knife was laid on the rock, then
two nails, then little rusty hinge,
then a piece of slate-pencil, then a
brass button with an eagle on it, then
more slate-peneil, then piece of string
wound into a ball, then half of match
the end that wouldn't 90! Then. hap
PLY, he thought of his inside pocket, and
the hole that was in it, Feeling along
the lining of his jacket, there in its
corner was something which might be
yes, it lCGs a matChi
1--WE won't care very much about it,
anyway" said experienced Kitty, land
then it will be more apt to burn"
Nevertheless, after they had piled up
some dry leaves, and laid birch ''quirls"
and small sticks over the top, she
struck the match across the sole of her
shoe, shielded it with her hand. and
watched it anxiOusly. The little blue
light quivered. paled, almost went out,
and then leaped cheerfully upon a dry
leaf, and in an instant the pile was
alive with snaps and sparkles and
dancing flames. The children gave
quite a merry shout.
"And now what'n we roast?" said
poor Ted.
1--WE must fix the fire 50 it won't
spread first said Kitty; and she care
fully scraped away all the leaves and
sticks that were near. Then she took
her brothers hand, and started to look
for she hardly knew what, but trying
with all her motherly little heart to
think of something likely to be found in
such q woods.
s'Sour grapes wouldn't be very nice.
but maybe they'd be q sort of relish,
YOU know, Ted;" and she stopped by a
tree overgrown with wild grapes, and
began looking for the notvery tempting
| clusters.
"Why. here are some that are nearly
TlDe. CtCs ItdilN pun RAC - AiotiC-
Suddenly something alive sprang out
of the brambles at their feet, and
whirred away with tremendous rush.
''It's the partridge nest. sure's you
liver said Ted, diving down among the
leaves; and after a minutes eager
| search they were found-twO, four, six,
eight, nine speckled eggs in the coy
nest. ''We'll leave one for the poor
partridge to come back to, won't we,
Kit?" said Ted, swiftly placing them in
his hat! r
More wood was piled upon the little
| fire, and they waited not very patient
ly for hot ashes. The eggs were rolled
up in large grape leaves, and fastened
with little twigs. The sun went down,
and the fire light began to shine bright
ly on the overhanging boughs and the
Watchful faces of the children. Fiual
" Kitty said it must be time. and pro-
ceeded to push away the blazing brands,
and to roll the eggs in among the
glowing ashes. She had just covered
| them, after fashion, with the stick
she used for a poker, and was saying
to Ted they would soon be done, when
something came crashing along through
| the brush, and there was a man with q
scratched face and torn coat. and a
gun on his shoulder, standing before
| them.
sOh, papa" said Ted, after taking a
second look at him, ''msyn't we stay
until the partridge eggs are donep
Cause we're so hungry"
"Oh, you-rascals," was all the IA
Their could say; and ne was either very
tired, or else Kitty rushed upon him
and Rugged his knees too vigorously.
for he sank right down on the ground,
and commenced wiping- his face, and
his eyes seemed to need a great deal
of wiping.
1--WE didn't mean to camp out, papa"
said Kitty, softly. 1--WE. only wanted
to 90 home the nearest way, and we
couldn't find it at all; and so when we
found we were lost a bit, we staid right
where we were, SOS not not get any
more lost. Wasn't that right, papa2
We knew you'd findus."
"Yes, an we knew you wouldn't tcOme
hollerin' round like crazy Ingins. An
isn't the eggs done, Kit?" said Ted.
HERE'S things to eat-thinge grand
ma fixed for you;' and the. father
quickly opened little bundle that
hung at his side. 81 was so glad TO
see you alive and having good time
that 1 almost forgot your lunch, you
poor Hottentots.
The lunch was quickly disposed OF,
and after drinking two swallows apiece
of blackberry wine-which grandma
sent word they must do-the children
4broke camp and started for home,
o,-rv;no, the epos in a handkerchief