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

"Waal-now-come to think ont,
tn amt much good in blackb'ry lot
You carnt keep the pesky boys of of it
to save yer life'
"Ef YOU couldn't scare 'em of, |
don't know who could" said Miss Ma
haia, with snap. Its splendid land.
You could plow 'em under, and raise
most anythin' on it. hain't had much
time to bother with it, lately, so it's
laid there, and laid there. Thurs one
or two ben askin' me bout it"
"Yaas-yaasr' said Cyrus, and
hitched in his chair
Miss Mahala sat silent. She felt sure
of her man.
Cyrus pushed away his plate, and
moved back from the table. His wife
began to clear oil the dishes.
"Sposin' you struck a party tibet
wanted it, heow much 'ud you take fer
it, did you sayP
~ didn't say. l asked how much
you give me for it."
Cyrus reached out his horny hand,
and pulled splinter from the broom
that hung near.
"Waal--nowr' picking his teeth,
"taint likely anybuddy nd give you
more n hundred dollars fer it. Would
you sell for that?"
"Of course not" said Miss Mahala,
promptly, "it's worth Jest double
every cent of it"
Thun--" began Cyrus. and knit his
brows.
1T will be building lot some day,
when the village grows. Then who
ever owned it could git $500 fer it,
easy" said Miss Mahala.
"Why don't you hold on tew it,
then?' asked Cyrus, quickly.
because I'd ruther sell it now,"
and Miss Mahala snapped the clasp of
her old-iashioned reticule hanging on
her arm.
couldn't give 5000 fer it. no way
at all. Would you take Sl5O?'
Call it $17j, and it's bargain.
John Haley I'D jump at it eff he could
git it at that price,
Cyrus threw down the broom spln-
ter and reached for another.
" Remember, in a few years you may
git $500 for it!''
u mought--and then agin mought-
ent," said Cyrus, then, suddenly slap
ping his knee, "Waal --call it a trade
at $40! Do We want it all to-day, cash
DOWN."
Il don't want any cash at all. I'll
give you deed O. the lot, an 1925 in
cash, besides, eff you'll trade me"
The conclusion of her sentence had
the effect of an electrical shock on her
auditor
'Thun-yeu don't mean it! What
in kingdom be YOU thjnkin of, to take
hole O sech resky piece o proputty
ez thatI'
81 haint afeard o the resk,' said
Miss Mahala, drawing forth roll of
! greenbacks from her reticule.
| The bargain was made. They went
to the squire to have deed made out,
and, as Miss Mahala's stiff, straight
figure disappeared down the road, a
crafty smile crept over Cyrus Deane' s
face, and he slowly calculated:
"Of-all--the- -tarnal-foolS- on the
face of the airth-the tarnalest is a
wOman-when she sets eout to tranzact
! bizness!''
A few hours later, Miss Mahala
stepped softly across the threshold OF
Jerry Deane' home.
Il amt forgot that this is Cissy' 5
birthday. I've fetched her a little
present." setting a plate on the table.
Tain much to brag Of only loaf o.
lection cake, but Timothy Meadowses
wife (she twas Liza Blynn) used to
low that l was the Deatenest hand at
lection cake thet she ever see. | don't
say it to boast. Go on with your din
ner I've ct mine"
She gave Cssy a loving hug, and
| helped herself to a chair, receiving
Mrs. Deane's thanks with "Sho,
faint nuthiu' to speak of--Only
thought I'd Jest like to celebrate.
Cissy's a pertickler pet O. mine, you
know"
After pause, she continued: "By
the way, LOUSY Ann, you d better put
it on another platter. It's ben on that
one so long it's got all sweated down.
As Mrs Deane lifted it, she discover
ed a folded paper underneath. What
thisgn she exclaimed, in surprise.
"Jest open it an see," said Mis-;
Mahala Didn't tell you wanted tc
celebratePn and the Rhadamanthu,
glasses grew suspiciously cloudy.
"Jerry Oh, Jerry! It's the mort
gage! How ever did you get hold o
it, Miss Mahala?'
That my affair."" said Miss Maha.
la. 1.-The only difference is that yoU
kin pay it to me instid o Cyrus-an
you kin take your own time to it, Jer
~. l know what kind o stuff LOUSY
AIMS made of. She'd work herself tC
a shadder to git it paid of, eli I'd lei
her, But telIyou, once (or all, Idon't
call teW.'
Years later, when, in the memorable
retribution OF events, Cyrus Deane, by
q peculiar succession OF calamities, was
rendered homeless and ruined man