The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1881-11-19

and turned me out of doors when every
one in the village was asleep, and
threatened to kill me if | cried aloud.
And then he packed up a few things
and took every cent of money we had
and went of this morning in the ears
somewhere, saying he was going TO be
well rid of me. And now I'm all alone,
and OH so cold and hungry"
Harry listened with his little heart
full of Indignation, and while he
listened there came over the field
from the pond the merry shouts of the
boys at play and the ring of steel
against ice, so tempting sound to
Harrv's ears. He half turned towards
the pond after giving Jack = few cents,
and swung his skates irresolutelv in his
hand. But was it, do you think, the
memory OF his usual petition only that
morning repeated as he knelt in his
room-that God would teach him to
do to others as he would others should
do to him"-that kept him from going
on towards his playmates and caused
him to turn again towards Jack,
who looked so pitiful and cold and
sad? 1t seemed an easy thing to
pray that one little prayer when
there were no obstacles in the
way of his pleasures and he had no
need to anticipate any such call upon
him, But it all flashed upon Harry
now plainly enough. If he were Jack
and stood in Jacks position, how would
he like to be treated? That was the
question, and Harry's warm heart inn
mediately answered it.
See here, Jack" he said, "yOu
look blue as indigo, Now, there 5 moth
ing can warm a fellow up like skating,
and you Just put on these skates of
mine and cut across the pond for few
minutes, and then I'll take you home to
| get warm breakfast, and mother II
talk to you. I'm going home a minute,
and you meet me here when | come
back; but, mind you, let me find you
with red .cheeks, or I'll know you
haven't been skating. Hurry up, now. "
/ The smile of genuine pleasure which
| broke all over Jack face made Harry's
/ heart glad, and presently he saw the
/ drunkard's child enjoying himself in
| true boy-fashion for the first time in
many year of sorrow, as he buckled
on the new skates and joined, un-
n 'ced, the crowd of skaters on the pond.
Meanwhile Harry ran home and re-
/ ldIcu W HIS IuOluCI Jllc WuOlC SIOI1
/ Her warm heart was as easily touched
as her boys had been, and giving him
permission to bring Jack home for some
/ breakfast she sent him with II loving
kiss over the road again, and then had
a talk with papa about the poor boy
whose Thanksgiving Day had dawned
so sadly. JackSwas on his way back
from the pond, after having warmed
himself and his heart in the exercise he
so liked, when a gentleman overlook
him and kindly remarked, in passing:
why, my boy, you're thinly dressed
for such day, aren't you"
Jack coored painfully.
"rm not cold now, sir. since I've
been skating; but was nearly frozen
and am very poor"
But you've nice pair of skates.
How did you get those? Sold your jack
ct for them, may be, eh?'
"Oh, no, indeed sir. These are
Harry Archer's skates, and hope God
will bless him, sir, for his kindness to
me this day"
And Jack related the story to the
gentleman. To his surprise the gentle
man responded to his story with a
hearty: "Bless the boy, he's TRIUMPH
And Just as he was wondering what it
meant, he saw HaTyrunning to meet him.
81 say, Jack, it's all right. Mother
says you're to come Halloa, Uncle
Hal! you here so early? Why, Jack,
you been talking to Uncle Hal?"
And then Harry seized his uncle's
hand and gave a wild whoop after his
usual fashion when anything pleased
him. Jack explained to Harry as they
walked home. And when he had break
tasted beside warm fire little later,
Harry's father called him out to the
barn and had u long talk with him
there. which resulted in his being en-
gagged as stable-boy and to assist the
cOachman. In an old, but good suit
of clothes belonging to Harry, Jack
presented a very comfortable appear
ance, and Harry's delight knew nc
bounds. But that night, after all the
company had gone, there was a timid
knock at Mrs. Archer's door, and Jack
was found outside.
Please, lady," he said, Il couldn't
sleep tonight until came to ask you
if you would mind saying a prayer foi
me. want to thank God, only dom
know how exactly, for giving me 8
happy Thanksgiving Day. This morn
ing when l saw the sun rise didn't see
what / had to be thankful for; but now
it is all changed, and | feel so Thankful
here, ma am" laying his hand on hi;
heart, that / must hear you thank
God for me and teach me how to do so
too
When he had gone, Mrs. Archer Wen
up to her boys room and knelt beside
his bed.
"My darling, tell me why you die
for Jack what he has told me you die
this morning. l hadn't heard abou
| AOur giving I'M YOnr ak atincr hafnre