The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-12-30


proposed JeHschniegIen party for New |
Years eve, when we would serenade /
few of our neighbors, have some coast
ing, and then gather at our house TO |
watch the Old Year out and the New
Year in. The programme was success
fully carried out, and after the last
guest had departed we three girls
kissed our grandparents good night. re-
peated our hearty wishes that they
might enjoy another happy year, and
fastened to our room, where. rolled in
cur wrappers, and tumbled upon great
robe in front of an open wood-fire. we
proceeded to chat over the evening 5
merry-making.
"Well, girls said Nina, Pm go
ing to leave YOU" 1t was hard to tell
whether the tones were those of sorrow
or gladness.
"Why, what do you mean?" cried
Hildegard and /.
"That l hope to have you both watch
the next New Year in, with me in my
own home on Murray Hill" % ....
This was a startling statement For
an instant we were silenced with aston
ishment, then Hildegard, recovering her
voice, cried with agitation so ~ u
Explain! explain in words, Nina"
l. /" You KNOW said Nina, show much
have been with Adele, and how fond
she has been of me and j of
her. You know how attentive and
kind her father has been to me,
and that | suppose that of course
it was out of cons deration for her.
We'll, tonight, as we are going out to
the sleighs, he said to me: Come,
you had better ride with me- His
manner was tender and affectionate all
the evening, and I%began to imagine
\ that he would prove a devoted escort
for the rest of the winter, when my
anticipations were cut short by his
proposal. 1t was just at twelve o clock.
Mr.. Farquhar and i were sitting in the
deep window, and L, to be first, quickly
said: Il wish you a happy New Year. ;
4 do youp' said he, taking my hand.
Then, If you are really my we'll
wisher | will make you my contidant.
l am not happy when1 am away from
you have remained here this past
year for the happiness of being near
lyou. Now business will wait no longer,
and it is imperative that I return to the
city. Will you go with meP
/ "jOf course, girls,I said, Yes and
, shall consequently take up my abode
in that narrow heated street, commons
ly called Madison Avenue. and roll be-
: hind those same spanking bays we
drove to night, through Central Park,
!, which is all very delightful to think of;
, yet it breaks my heart to part from this
old home, the dear trees, and the old
, folKsywho are very precious to me. As
/ flor you. girls, you can bewith me hall
: of the time"
: Nina had hardly taken breath during
!. this explanation; the whole thing had
, come so. unexpectedly that she wa:
= flushed and excited. was stunned al
! the thought of losing her, and SAID
: nothing. Hildegard. who had moi
q spoken, here uttered, as if in dream
q up m glad did it; it is best" 20
r Reused by the tone, both Nina and
4 saw that something troubled her, fo1
4 two great pearly tears had fallen on he
Q cheeks and we urged her to have NJ
l. secrets from us. s4,A
g Tell us, Hildegard, what is the mat
v terP'
|. "Six words will do" replied she. %
/ refused Harry Fenton to-night;" ant
II more tears followed. lI f'
r Neither Nina nor said anything; W,
q didn know what to say. We were
:. sure that she loved Harry. Then sh,
!. said: Harry is the best fellow in tn,
world; but he is a farmer, and willnev
O be ANYTHING else. He said tonight h
n never could leave his father. | saw to-
g much of the practical farm-life at hom
a to form any dreams of a poetical char
, acter aboutit. cannotlive and die on tn
IT same plot of ground like a vegetable
V | must travel; | started the working on
/ of an irresistible desire when 1 cam
= here, and / must 90 on. l would not b
ia Just to Harry Fenton if l should MARI
N him; for l could not be happy as
n farmers wife, even though that farme
70 was Harry Fenton." f1 Voc.
1t Don worry, darling" said I; ''yo
e cannot help it; it is a drop of Richar,
"a Dolton' blood in your veins. Don't b
s unhappy' dear, just help me congratu
,r late Nina"
1f ''And your next move onward shal
N be to New York" said Nina.
h where you may capture Captain
A. with whom you can sail over the hig
s seas" addedI. tr- ta II
y Hildegard said nothing, and /, havin
10 the floor. continued: ..rs
" "Well, let's go to bed for the pres
st ent; and when Nina is married, an
ID you are exploring the antipodes, I wi
20 come to New York and teach, if Min
or will let me live with her."
or "Ho! hum!' sighed Hildegard
re tumbling into bed; II wonder wher
N we will all be next New Year,
ID "On Murray Hill" answered Nina
Of But that was mistake; it was man
y years before we met on Murray Hill Q
10 New Year's-in fact, not till tonight
"A Nina ,.,ao m, ,,iaI 10 Aaroh. u;IJ -