The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-04-15

y
spend at school,
Having said this, Mr.. Cutbill retired,
thinking he had hit upon an ingenious
device for keeping his charge out of
mischief Little Carrotson's face was a
picture. rfr i
Public school boys have strong express
sions for describing such men as Mr.
Cutbill; they callthem "howling snobs."
The egregious "cheek" of forbidding
Carrotson ito play with the fire. and
the utter villainy of compelling him to do
sums in a house where he had come as
a guest in holiday time, could only be
matched by the impudent offer of half a
crown to one who had no less than four
sovereigns in his pocket. The whole
thing was indeed so erich that after
brief spell of speeches. Indignation
Carrotson laughed He took up the
lawyers "beast!y" washing book, and
got through the work set him in half an
hour, after which he added some sup
Elementary averages of his own He
computed how many shirts Mr.. Cutbill
would wear in the course of a lifetime,
supposing he lived to the age of seventy,
and how much he would disburse in
getting his socks washed during the
same period, and so forth, but these cal
culations only amused him for another
half hour. Then he yawned, stared out
of the window, and was startled by the
postman's double knock. What devil
of vindictive mischief was it that made
, him whisper then: "By Jove, I'll just
answer the old cad letter for himln
/ Little Carrotson skunk into the pas
| SAGE and found four letters in the box.
| He left one, in case a servant should
come up and collect the delivery but
| the other three he carried into the dim
ing room where he had been working.
The breakfast things had not yet been
removed, and there was some water in
the slop-basin, by means of which the
boy speedily ungummed the three en-
velopes. To say that he felt the slight
est conjunction at what he was doing
would be Incorrect; he thought only of
having lark, and paying out old Cut
bill for his snobbery.
The first letter was a printed invita-
ton to dine with Peer; the second was
a note from lady who signed herself
"Flora Higgins" and wrote thanking
Mr.. Cutbill for legal opinion he had
given her in friendly way. She al
luded several times to her daughter
Rose, who was so pleased to hear Mr..
Cutbilrs cold was better, and hoped so
much Mr.. Cutbill would look in soon to
take a cup of tea, and hear her sing one
of his favorite songs which she had been
practicing. The third letter was in a
mans hand, and referred evidently to
some differences that had arisen be-
tween Mr.. Cutbill and the writer The
latter-one Brown-wrote, however, to
say that he trusted Mr.. Cutbill would
frankly accept the explanation he had
rendered, and that the painful misun-
Outstanding between them would now
cease
1t has been said that young CarTotson
was an intelligent boy. He proved it by
the calm elaboration with which he now
went to work; for, having found sam.
pie of Mr.. CutbilPs handwriting in the
adjoining study, to which he repaired or
tip-toe, he applied himself during hall
an hour to initiating that writing till he
attained proficiency. He then indited
the three following answers to the law
yer's correspondents, his face being as
serious as a Judges whilst he wrote
though there was a suspicious twinkline
in his eyes.
To the Peer he addressed himself
thus: .
my LoRD-It is very kind of you to invite
me TO dinner, but am afraid cannot accept
because since last saw you l have suddenly
changed my political opinions and think yoI
are altogether wrong about everything. shall
be happy to make friends with you again l.
you will agree to think as do; but, perhaps
being obstinate, you won't like to do this.
" So no more at present From your lord
|
Next came Mrs, Higgins turn:
"MY DEAR MRS. HIGGINs-You our kind lette
has pleased me so much because of its allusiOI
to dear Rosa. L am so fond of her that L hav
been quite miserable from wondering all nigh
, whether she would marry me, and that mus
excuse the shakiness of my handwriting thi
morning am sure | should make a goot
, husband if Rosa would promise to keep m,
am very particular about this Please thini
over the matter and let me have an early
favorable answer, which will o6ige, your
| P. S.-shouldn't like to catch dear Rosa un
der the mistletoe.
The gentleman who wanted to b.
/ reconciled to Mr.. Cutbill came in TO
this kindly missiVe:
any DEAR BRowN-It was who was in tn
, wrong all through our quarrel so please sa
nothing more in the matter. have vile ten
per, which, 1 freely acknowledge, and if yo
, had kicked me down stairs when we last me
! it would have served me right though l nigh
have objected at the time. Pray come to din
with me ON Saturday evening Mt seven o CLOCK
and we will have one of the best bottles Q
champagne out of my cellar. Don't troubl
yourself to write and say you'll come, as
shall be out of town tomorrow and next day
! but will be back in time for our dinner, whic
l shall be a rouser Ever your friend,
3 nv .A ee##.-..# L. CUTBILL."
f Little Carrotson put the letters in en-
, velopes, directed them and stamps
4 them with stamps of his own, afte
l which, having hestated moment, h