The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-11-11


listening, as was, to the rhapsody on
music, and it was only at that moment
that comprehended that there was ac-
tually some very nice fat pork tender
loin to be had. My JOY at the discovery
took the form of an exclamation and
sadly marred the beauty of my unknown
friends rhetoric. The young lady burst
out laughing, her brother joined her,
and l turned as purple as a whole gar
den full of peonies.
The waiter understood from my de-
lighted explosion that L wanted some
of that inestimable comestible and dart
ing away, returned with a magnificent
platter thereof, Just as | had suppressed
my embarrassment and my neighbors
had suppressed their laughter
The young man glanced at the dish, as
the servant set it before me.
looks good"
And so it did.
Three large steaks lay peacefully on
the plate, surrounded with little linn
pid gravy, in which foated spots of a
pleasing brown. The firm, well-cooked
meat chung loosely to the bones, fat
nesting by lean, and lean dividing
unctuous flakes of fat. l should like to
have daguerreotype of that plate of
tenderlOin. own pictures that l should
value less.
The young gentleman next me was
about to order some of the same, but |
forestalled him by passing the dish
down.
There's plenty" 1 said, "for both
of us, fancy and another cut might
not be so nice"
'sThank you, sir. Pork is something
very rarely eat-never, in fact, when
/ can get anything else-but this tenn pts
me. Here, ma sOeIT, will you try some?"
The fair maiden bent her charming
/ head over the savory meat and inspect
ed it with a comical curiosity. Its de-
/ licious aroma arose to her nostrils and
she was tempted also.
"Cut me just little bit, Jewett,
please-that bit on the end there"
1t was with a smile of triumph that I
found myself the cause of their induc-
! ton to an appreciation of the nameless
lusciousness of Fat Pork!
AS l had passed them the tenderloin
they passed me the potatoes, which
politeness again returned with the hot
rolls. By the time we had finished
breakfast it was a quarter to ten o clock;
the pork had entirely disappeared and
Jewett Fleming and l were fast pro-
crossing toward an intimate &C
quaintanceship.
As we passed from the table, Of
fered young Fleming cigar some that
| had brought with me from the city
and we sought the shades of a second
story piazza, to enjoy our smoke among
the fragrant grape vines that clustered
about the columns of the Banquet
House. Here the conversation evinced
tendency to become general and
Fleming introduced me formally to his
sister, Miss Daisy Fleming.
As woman generally rely implicitly
upon their first impressions of those
whom they meet (Which, by the way
are almost always wrong), | was glad
to perceive that Miss Fleming was not
unfavorably struck by my appearance
and conversation. We prolonged our
stay upon the piazza until after Jewett
had to go, and enjoyed an exceedingly
pleasant chat, getting quite friendly and
at home, before we parted.
Young Fleming was an architect and
was then employed to superintend the
erection of new church in Ingleton,
for which he had made the plans. His
sister had been an invalid during the
winter and had accompanied him to this
quiet little place, for the sake of her
health, which had already been restored
10 hot hrrt bo
fresh air, pure water, simple habits and
outdoor exercise that one gets in the
country.
On the fourth day of my sojourn l
completed my business, but made a
week of it for the sake of the pleasant
society into which Fat Pork had thrown
me. On the Monday following 1 was
compelled to return to town and shortly
afterward | removed to another city,
thus losing sight of my new friends en-
tirely, much to my chagrin.
One fine May morning found me in
New York. 1 had just recovered from
the fatigues of a long period of travel
and was disposedto appreciate the gay
ETY. and life of the metropolis to its
fullest extent. | put up at the Aston,
temporarily, and amused myself during
the first day by strolling leisurely up
and down Broadway, hunting up few
old acquaintance and being very idle
generally. The next morning | dressed
myself with much elaboration, having
plenty of time on my hands, and de-
scended to breakfast, taking a seat by
an open window at one of the side tables
in order to get the benefit of the soft
summary breeze.
Next me sat lady and gentleman,
closely engaged in conversation. They
had not vet ordered their breakfast and
the lady's chair was turned little, so
that she had her back toward me. Her
voice, however, sounded somewhat IA
miliar, and ransacked my memory to
know where ! heard it before.
A waiter came along before had dis
covered whether l knew her or not, and |
the gentleman called him.
- Are these pork steaks niceP" he |
asked, pointing to the bill of fare; " if
they are bring me some-well done, a |
little fat"
:" never think of pork steaks" said |
the lady, without remembering dear
old Ingleton and our pleasant friend at
the Banquet House"
l knew her at once-it was Daisy |
Fleming. She bent forward as she |
spoke and saw that the gentleman
with her was her brother Jewett.
/ touched her shoulder.
Don't you know me?" said l.
The meeting was happy one. Like
myself, the Flemings had just returned |
from travelling and were about to settle
in the city. We renewed our friendship