The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-10-01

should have rain tonight Even in
clear starlight the way "a easy In nnd.
NV Youngest child was taken very i'll
to-day, and I've been, to the nearest
town to get medicine for her. No
storm would have kept me from getting
back to her tonight if possible. Bat
here comes the rain. If you have a
waterproof, get it on.
The storm burst and night soon closed
upon us. 1t was no gradual sprinkle,
increasing in violence; but the water
fell in sheets The wind almost swept
us from our horses, and continuous
glare of lightning, followed by deafen-
inc thunder claps, lit up the dreary
scene with livid light.
The exchange of single word was
impossible, and equally impossible 1t
was to brave this elemental warfare.
We stopped our horses and waited until
the first violence of the storm was over
In about an hour the wind fell, the
lightning flashed at long intervals. but
the rain still poured,
"We'd better go on" said my COM
panion. "Pm wet and chilled through,
and we must feel our way. I'll go
ahead and you follow me-"
Soon the lightning ceased altogether,
and Mr.. Bruce, as he called himself.
would halt every minute to retrace his
steps from the edge of some dangerous
eoulee. 1t was literally feeling his way,
! for he often dsmounted to examine
better the edges of the little water
courses which intersected the prairie.
1t is impossible to say how long we
| wandered about at a snail's pace, for
the rain still poured and the darkness
was intense Suddenly he called out:
Look to the right. Do you see a
lght?"
At q great distance atiny star of light
was visible-a mere luminous point
ct s an igniS tatUuS, a will-of-the
wisp, ism itg' l said.
"No, it's too stationary. | declare.
| believe we're actually turned round
and that's the Widow ManselPs lamp.
Five miles out of our way, and the great
salt marsh not half mile off If we
had got in IL, we never could have got
out living. Well, well, to think that
we were almost in the lions Jaws in
spite of my boast. We must make for
that light. We shall soon strike high
ridge now, for that is certainly the
widows house"
A little more houndering in the mud
and water and then the ridge was
gained. The rain moderated and one
or two watery stars peeped out, so that
the darkness was not 50 intense. The
light grew brighter and brighter, and
at lastw we pulled up ut the gate OF 2
large, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES farm house.
'You'n lind Mrs. Mansell a queer
woman, said my companion, as we
unsaddled the horses and turned then
loose in the yard. "Illtell you about
her when we get under shelter"
h He knocked at the door, which wa:
! opened by an elderly woman, evidently
u servant, who called Mr. Bruce by
name and ushered us into a large from
room. Standing in the middle of thC
floor and bending forward in an atti
tude of expectation, was woman will
snow-whte hair. She leaned on {
stick, for she seemed very infrm, ant
,, her eyes were fixed eagerly on the doc
! which opened to admitsus.
s5|"Oh, il isn't Panls' she said, il
; tones of disappointment. "What cal
keep my boy? Mr.. Bruce, did you Sc,
my Paul? Does the lamp throw on
much light?" I II
4 g''Ohcs yes, Mrs. Man SELL :" he an
swered;4 you can see il nearly fv
miles away on the RIDGE sti#A q
~ put two in the window, it wa
: tsuch dark night, ''she went on. IN
! boy must have plenty of light, yo
know, or he might get in the sal
=, marsh. What can keep my Paul?
> want him so much" turning upon u
= her piteous eyes.
"Oh. you'll see him soon, ma am,
Mr.. Bruce said, cheerily. Don
+ worry about him, for it will come a
' right ..,.----..,,-,,. .-----...-,-.,
"Oh, yes, he can't stray, can he
! with that lightP' 5.,l a., JLI