The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-02-26

last, Cousin Arilda,'' said the widow,
the day before the close of the confer
ence. 81 know all about every thing
at his house, Just as well as if i had al
ready been there. He has five deal
children; he has shown me their photo
graphs, and / think 1 shall like them
very much. No doubt they viii KEEP
out of doors Che most of the time, espe
cially in pleasant weather. The Elder
has q farm, but doesn't work it himself
he keeps two hired men, whose wage:
he pays with what he gets from preach
ing. Isn't that nice?'i
'And has he really proposed to you
Cousin Euphemiap"
"Why, yes, dear-more than dozer
times; at least, he has done what
amounts TO the same thing. He has be-
gun TO say he had something to tell me,
and would have gone right on and made
full declaration of his love if had not
stopped him. You know one doesn't
like to hear the whole of a good story at
once. When he has attempted to open
his heart to me on that subject, have
always kissed him good-by or good
night, and glided out of the room. You
know, Cousin Arilda, that man, when
in love, is always held more surely by
allowing him to think that he is doing
the most of the courting."
The day and hour of Elder Sanford S
departure had come, and descending
from his room he entered the parlor,
where sat Mrs. Lemons, her husband,
and their three half-grown children,
ready to enact the solemn and affecting
formality of parting with their guest.
Of course the widow was there also,
and to her the parting would be some
thing more than formality.
Il suppose" said the widow to her
cousin, speaking soto Uoce, ''that the
Elders manner in parting from me will
be rather more affecting than ought to
be witnessed by the children. 1t would
be well, | think, to let them bid him
good-by, and then withdraw from the
room"
That timely hint was taken, and the
juvenile part of the farewell perform
ance was soon over, greatly to the
delight of the children.
Every thing being now ready, the
Elder, rising to his feet, proceeded 30
utter his farewell address. He dwelt
with solemn and affecting earnestness
upon the many kind attentions he had
received during his two weeks sojourn
at the house of the Lemons. The great
size and delicate flavor of the strawber-
ries was particularly mentioned, so very
unlike the little berries that grew IN his
meadow, and were picked by his chill
dren.
"To you, my dear Mrs Fluskey;"
and at the mention of her name the
widow rose, and assumed a picturesque
attitude at his side; "to you 1 have
something special to say And at this
the widow drew still nearer, and rested
on the arm of the elder. "You have
lately experienced religion, and will
never, hope, be led astray any more
by the pomps and vanities of the world
But there is, Widow Fluskey, matter
of considerable importance to me, which
l have been intending to mention to
you, and have several times attempted
to do so;" sGd the widow drew still
nearer, and rested her head on his
shoulder.
L
continued Elder Sanford, "departed
this life only thirteen months ago." and
the widows eyes, swimming with love,
were raised to the face of her compan-
ion. "Some people thought it very
strange that l should determine to get
married again when my wife had been
dead only ten months"
"You married agairli" said the
widow, starting suddenly back, and
throwing herself on the sofa. !" You
married? married? OH OH cousin,
bring me some camphorl Oh! this great
ball in my throat, just like puff ball
I'm dying, Arilda! I'm so glad I've not
received any presents from this mani"
"There is some misunderstanding in
this" said the Elder. 81 have not
said"
"Let me get out of his sight"
moaned the widow. ''Take me to my
room, Arildal Mono! don't offer me
your hand, you old hypocrite! It's well
for you that the conference is over, or
I'd have you brought up before it for
making love to me-and you a married
man! Don't let him stay here in your
house another moment, cousin Arilda!"
Better take Mrs. Fluskey to her
room, my DEAR" said Mr. Lemons to his
wife, 81 will remain with the Elder"
The two men alone soon came to a
mutual understanding in regard to the
whole matter.
al am rot married." said the Elder.
sc What was about TO say was nothing
more than that l determined to get
married about four months ago, and at
that time became engaged to a lady
near where | live, and to whom l expect
to be married within the next month.
That is the whole story, my dear Mr..
Lemons" and with this explanation the
Elder passed out and was soon on the
sidewalk and off.
a. shall have wife with me when |
come to the next conference" was the |
Elders reflection as he moved rapidly |
away and turned the first corner he |
came to.
But he was safe enough. The widow |
was not on his track, but was in her
room, putting herself through hyster-
c fit, at the same time cursing the Elder |
in terms that gave reason to fear she had
fallen from grace.
The Widow Fluskey's obituary, writ |
zen twenty years later, was satisfactory |
On the score of piety and good behavior
in general, and contained no allusion to |
hat little episode; while the name on
her tombstone showed clearly that her !
much desired fifth husband was still |
/ prospective one.-DenlOreSt' Monthly. |
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