The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-09-02

with many comments OF wonder; but
when fun coffee sack was thrown down
beside her she merely folded her hands
and said: Dress de Lordm And who
wouldn't have said the same thing who
for two years had been drinking coffee
made of goober peas and sweet potatoesl
They toasted royalty that night, and
when supper was over Jim climbed the
magnolia tree and tied the sack of coffee
securely to its branches; the BAG of flour
he hid under the house, and into every
rabbit hole in the mound he packed
can OF fruit.
"What is you up to now, Jim?' said
Aunt Betsey.
Never You mind, old CONAN, tain t
no fool head on dis niggers shoulders. >
In fact, Mr.. Kinkles wits seemed
preternaturally sharpened; and the
event proved his wisdom. The next
day Grants army came pouring into
Holly Springs, and men were detailed
to search every house in town for stores
that might have been saved. 1t was
done thoroughly; those who had gained
treasures lost them as speedily, and
were warmly thanked by the Jolly SOL
diers of Uncle Sam for their exertons in
the cause of the Government.
They called on the Kinkle family.
Jim met them at the door, a clay pipe
in his mouth, his trowsers blue, his SEN
timents loyal.
nv" Me got anything, gem lemenp' he
said, in Atone OF great surprise "Why,
lor'! Twas sick in bed with the rheumatic
all day, an wouldn't a-been able ter
MAY acted like DEM harem-scarem mig
gers in town eff | had advanced to-
1obey here, he went in, an somebody
Agn him an ole powder flask, ami a can
70, pineapple. We. done eat de pineapple
las night; but L know Mr.. Lincoln
wouldn't begrudge dat much ter a good
Union niger Ike me-"
This eloquence was not convincing,
and the soldiers made a pretty good
search. But they did not think of
looking under the house, nor up the
trees, nor in the rabbit holes. So Jim
saved his prizes, and held his head very
high all the rest of his lie in conse-
quence.
Tobey said nothing about the pretty
green pictures he kept them for rainy
day as it were, when Aunt Betsey should
be cross. His night-dress was exactly
the same as his day-dress; so the bills
rested safely where he had placed them
and nobody suspected what walking
bonanza he had become.
Van Dorn's raid was on Saturday.
On the Monday following Tobey was
hanging about the smoking pile that
had been the foundry building, when
two officers rode up and looked sadly
on the ruins.
There's no use lamenting," said one
of them at last; ''let us light our cigars
and 60"
the other felt in his pocket mechanic
| ally. II have no Matches" he said
have youp"
"No, but we can light them from the
fire--so much good it can do us, at least
Here, boy! fetch me q coal"
Tobey neared the smoking heap eau
tiously. 1t did not seem possible to GEL
acoal, but he could get the gentlemen a
light by twisting up one Of his green
pictures for spill. He had strong hopes
of receiving dime in return.
| He lookout one of the bills, twisted
long lighter and stuck it in the fire.
1t blazed quickly, and he ran with il
to the officer. who took it, lighted his
cagar, blew it out suddenly, and cried
"What the dickens is thisp''
"Look, Foster" as he spread out
the remnant, "a greenback bill as IN
aCaptain! Here, you little scamp! how
did you come by this? Have you any
morep E..,. ........, -
"Oh! yes, sir!' said Tobey, in all
simplicity. Then he told the story OF
how he came by them, the officers list
ening like statues Of attention. When
he had finished they turned and stared
at each other, pulling their mustaches
very hard. Then the Captain said, mild
ly: Come to the camp with me and
I'll give you some betterpictures These
are all alike; You may just hand them
over to me" ~ -
Tobey relinquished the bills, not SC
crisp and fresh as they were. but worth
quite as much, while his captors grew
almost speechless with establishment as
they saw the value the notes represent
ed, They were careful not to enlghter
| iTobey, however, as to the value of his
treasure trove, and he was sent off com
pletely happy with silver dollar and q
pile of illustrated newspapers. Uncle
Sam got his own again, for the officers
were honest and loyal gentlemen. As
for Tobey- he never knew that for two
days he had been rich enough to buy out
Holly Springs, or to found an orphan
asylum, or to run race horses, or to own
| yacht, or to start daily paper. Aunt
Betsey never knew-Jim Kinkle never
knew, or, fear, like certain old heroes
in Roman history, they would have died
of modification. Tobey to-day thrives
in the ignoble state of barber, sup
porting his mother, who has grown toe
| fat evan IN waddla and his father whc