The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-09-24
JERRY'S MORTGAGE.


Mrs. Deane put the finishing touches
to her tempting little supper-table (set
for three), tucked Cssy's napkin around
her neck, and lifted her into her high
chair, then stepped to the wide, cool
doorway to watch for her husband.
He came in sight ere long, walking
YEARLY and slowly, as if the fair sum-
mer picture of mountains and green
fields cleaned upon eyes too sad to
drink in their beauty and significance.
A man certainly not old in years, but
with lines of care about his temples,
and a painful droop to the mobile,
sensitive mouth, which showed q
harassing anXiety-a constant, daily
struggle with fate. His wife walked
down the grassy garden-path, and took
his hand in hers:
"You are over-tired, jerry. I have
nice supper for you, and Cssy is full
OF cunning little ways tonight. Cheer
up, dear"
He looked down with sorrowful
smile, and put his arm around her. 81
am tired tonight, Louie-tired and dis
couraged. have been to Cyrus once
more, but -"
His voice broke, and Louie clasped
his hand more firmly, and raised it to
her lips
Never mind telling me, my dear.
can guess it. He is determined to
foreclose the MORTGAGE
Yes"
She walked silently up and down the
path with him.
My own brother, Louie! 1t does
seem as if he might give us another
chance, but you know how he is about
money. Since he married that second
wife of his he seems harder than ever.
Honest he is-nO man could ever say
that Cyrus wrOnged him of cent, but
war to the knife to get his OWN
They entered the kitchen, where
Cissy was beating q drum solo on her
tin plate, and casting eager chances at
the plate of fresh ginger bread. Papa S
baby" said Jerry, and bent down to
kiss her. He sighed heavily as he took
his seat, while a tear stole down his
cheek.
ugly man-to make my papa cry"
said Cissy, doubling up her small fist,
"I-I-ies' kill him.
The four-years-old tot had gathered
enough from her parents daily CONVEX
sation to know that they were in some
trouble connected with "a man" whom
she remembered to have seen few
days before at their house. He had
talked loudly and fast, and the mental
photograph left on the waXen tablet of
that infant soul would have made an
angel weep.
"Hush-sh, Cissy. Mammals daugh-
ter mustn' talk so. She should be a
gentle little girlr' and Louie stroked
the little fist till it slowly uncurled.
MARTIN Best told me to-day that
Cyrus has Just bought another yoke of
oxen and two-hundred dollar buggy!n
said Jerry, bitterly, as he took forced
swallow of tea.
"Well," said his wife, lit can't be
helped, dear, but don't let us cherish
hatred, or say anything we may be
sorry for. | know it's hard-iPS hard 20
and her lips quivered as she looked
around the neat, hOme-like kitchen,
and glanced beyond it to the vine
wreathed window of The bedroom
where her baby's eyes had first opened
to the light. "You know different
people have different make.ups" A
great sob rose in her throat-she gave
one look at Cissy-struggled to restrain
her feelings, but the hOodtide OF grief
must have way, and, rushing to Jerry,
she clasped her arms about his neck
and burst into tears, Just as a shadow
fell across the doorway and visitor
entered.
In the morning sunshine, in the cor
ner of a i'oursh.ng field near q thrifty
looking white frame house surrounded
by substantial outbuildings, aman with
bu~hy red beard and small, weasel
like gray eyes, was hOeing corn. He
was so busy that he neither saw nor
heard the approach of footsteps to the
fence.
"Cyrus Deane, do YOU know that
your a-sendn' your oyn' soul right
he looked up, startled. \ tall. gaunt
female was peering AZ him from a pair
OF glistening spectacles-a woman in a
rusty black dress, and a straw shaker
trimmed with a bombaline cape, and
single bow of black ribbon. 1t was
Miss Mahala Trunett, She was that
universal village character of whom
the weak and vicious so Justly stand in
awe-a woman who speaks her mind