The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-10-22
A FOREIGN EMBASSY.


Nestled in q secluded nook between
two ranges of billowv hills, with one
dormer window commanding Il bend of
the Hudson, but with its ample porch
facing the gorge which led ike steep
staircase to the wilderness, stood for
many years the hunting lodge of Peter
Van Vechten.
1t had wild, solitary look, and vet
there were signs of comfort and even of
luxury about the place. Its lonely sit
uation might have been the choice of
either very happy or of a grief-strick-
en- man. At all events it was the her
mitage of man who loved to live apart
from the world. The broad carriage
drive which swept up to the hOspitable
porch was grass-grown and had lost all
signs of ruts of wheels. Only hoof-
prints here and there told that Peter
Van Nechten was as fond of the hunt as
ever, and that his daughter Lillian often
rode to the hounds with him.
He had been a kind and true father
to his little girl, almost too indu gent
for her own best good, parting with
her company much of the time that she
might acquire an elegant education in
the city, and living lonely life with
only his three hounds as companions.
AT length Lilian's education was pro-
nounced finished, and she returned to
the Lodge. The little window that kept
watch over the Hudson was her own,
and she would look at the passengers
fitting by in the swift-winged schOon-
ers on their way to Albany or New
York, for this was before the time of
steamboats, or rail-car. 1t was very
dull at the Lodge, in spite of rides upon
her pony, and the harpsichord which
her father loved to listen to in the even
ing. He had a rich full voice and some
times joined her in
my hearts in the Highlands"
He escorted her in her calls at the
stately old manor-houses, and once in
great while a venerable coach rattledup
to their own door and Madam Living
ston or Van Cortland, or a Miss Yer
planck would make a dignifed visit at
the Lodge.
There were woods for botanizing and
embroidery frames for rainy days, but
in spite of all this, Lillian was discon-
tented. She could not have cared
greatly for her father, and yet she was
jealous OF his pets, the three great dogs
with their odd names Prince, Peace
and Prosper; so called, their master
explained, because if you held fast to
Principle, Peace and Prosperity would
follow. Prince was in fact the leader
OF the little pack, and, if you held him
well in leash, the others never wan
dered. Peace was quiet, inoffensive
dog, a poor hunter, with loving dispo-
sition and melting eye. Old Prosper
was always lucky, and would come
leaping back with the game lightly but
securely held in his deep jaws, while
Prince looked on with the air of a COM
handing General.
Lillian wondered that her father could
be so happy in the society of these
dumb friends. His easy-going temper
grated against her ambitious spirit.
She chaled at the Lodge, not so much
because she was lonely and lOnged for
pleasant mpanonship, for friends TO
love, for opportunities to do good,
as that her proud, imperous nature
longed Tor continual admiration. She
did not care whether anyone really
loved her, provided she could be envied,
praised and battered.
When winter began she mOped and
suked, and tanced herself the most
unhappy girl in the world, until early
III December an invitation came from
an aunt in Philadelphia, urging her to
spend two months in that CITY. Phila-
del hia was then the seat of Govern
ment, and a gay and fashionable center.
Lillian was delighted, She did not ask
herself whether her father light not be
lonely IN her absence, nor did she for a
moment suspect that he had written
her aunt requesting this invitation-she
was simply overjoyed to leave the
Lodge and to think that new dresses
and invitations to routs and parties
awaited her.
But even in Philadelphia Lillian was
not quite happy. The society in which
she was thrown was polit'ca and young
ladies were honored quite as much from
their fathers positions as for their own
grace or beauty. 1t was Notifying to
Lillian to see Miss Van Rensselaer,. of
Albany, leading the contra dance, Just