The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-08-12

NOIluy Sdlu MIS- Il duCN.
She stopped and went in hastily. She
felt the tears choking her. She could
hear Mr.. Burke tell the child that his
school was in Fauquier, and that he had
often passed her grandfather's house.
1t was for sale now, with a dozen acres
about it; would sell very cheaplv, no
doubt. Land had deprecated since the
war. "a quiet, comfortable little
homestead, too" he said, "as any in
the State"
Mrs. fancy paused in her work.
80, if could only showit to Lefty"
she said 10 herself The dear old
farm. The sunny porches, and the
Bourbon roses. and the great oaks CEN
turtles old" She never had spoken of
her old home TO her other children, but
to Lefty she had talked of it often when
they were alone. Lefty was like her.
self; the others were all Taneys.
She came to the door.
''Do you know, Mr.. Burke, if there
is an old negro on the place-a gar
dener."
"Uncle TodP o everybody knows
the old man. And his stories about
the Cleyelands. de family as he calls
them"
1--WE were the Clevelands. And old
Tod is really living yet?" She laughed
for the first time in year. -
When Lefty had gone in Mr.. Burke
paced up and down the porch. He was
a manly, large-natured young fellow
and his heart ached with pity for the
poor. pinched lives of this child and her
mother. All he could do to show them
kindness was to lerd books to Lefty,
which she devoured eagerly, for she was
fond of reading, in fact she had obsti-
nately persisted in staying at the free
school until she had educated herself
William fancy waited until the young
man had gone and then he went into
the pantry where his mother was strain
ing the last crock of milk. Something
in his manner made her set down,
trembling.
"You have bad news to tell,n she
said.
NO" with an uneasy, stricken
laugh. "Most folks call it good. Fact
is, mother, I've made up my mind to
marry"
40, William" her old cheeks col
Oring.
81 made up my mind three months
ago. And the girls courted and the
weddings to be tomorrow. There,
now; no need for you to look in that
way. I'm generally pretty close
mOuthed about my own business, you
might know that. And | didn't choose
70 no m l-laI of hC,,,a
The girls Miss Susie Crawford"
His mother came toward him. He
was her son after all and this was the
turning point of his life She put her
arms about him and kissed hin. God
bless you, my boy" she said.
He stood immovable as log.
Don't let us have any fuss he said.
" You'd better sit down. You're shak-
ing all over. Well, that's all. There'Il
be no wedding hubbub here. 1 don't
hold to spending money in feeding a lot
of guiding fools. The Crawfords have
a regular blow out in the morning.
But you don't want to 60, L reckon?'
q should like to see you married."
timidly.
so, nonsense. There's no sickly
sentiment about me. I'll have Sophy
home by supper time. You'll have to
see to things here"
He lighted his candle and turned to
by the way, she was here a month
ago"
Yes" Mrs. fancy remembered
distinctly the gross-featured, black-eyed
young woman, who had staggered
through the farmhouse in her cheap
silk and gilt jewelry.
"She came just to look at her new
nome, and-well she rather took fancy
o the south chamber. You had better
tx it up for her."
my room, William?"
Eyes. It's all the same to you. Of
course you can 60 up to Lefty"
Lefty, who had been at work inside, |
,ame out, and threw her arms, sobbing
about her mother. She knew that this |
laG been her mothers room for thirty |
years. All Mrs. Taney's children were
porn in 1.-THE baby died there.
William stopped and came back say
ing:
"Now look here. It's just as well to
jpeak plainly at once. I'll have no
opposition to my wife from you, Lefty,
Tor from-from any other woman. I'm
he head of this house. My wife shall
,e mistress of it. She brings me a snug
Dit of money, and I'll not have her nor
Ter family insulted in it."
my son."
But he had stalked off to bed.
There was no time, the next day, for
Yrs. fancy or Lefty to even think of
he coming trouble. They were up as
Usual, two or three hours before day,
fires, milking and cooking
breakfast for the six harvest hands.
Then came washing, a dinner at noon,
IL the work of a farm, in short which
ais on a woman; in addition to which
vas the cleaning and preparation of the.
DOM, which the bride had chosen for
er own. Mrs. fancy moved sluggish
Y through the latter part of the work.
"What is the matter, mother?"
sked Lefty.
Mrs. fancy laughed feebly.
d" don't know, feel like a clock
hat is nearly run down"
Lefty made no reply. The child had
ltely been absent; almost Indifferent,
While her mother talked, apparently
trapped in her own thoughts. Could
be, the mother thought, that Lefty
lso was forsaking her? Mrs. fancy
ad only one other daughter-the baby
Tho died. The other children were ;
ons, all of whom, except William, had
one to the West and married there.
he had often wished they would ask I
er to visit them, that she might see
heir children. But they never did it.
While they were hanging out the
lnthnr thnt nftnrnnnn MrS Tnnnr