The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-02-25

WHICH lOI TWO UnOnIDS nau StretCneu out
as Level as floor, making firm, safe
bridge between the little village on the
south shore and the large town of V.
If the people of the little village wanted
anything from the large town, all they
had to do was to harness their horses,
and "whiz" across the ice and back
again in few moments. 1t was a thou
sand times better than the slow, unre-
liable summer ferry: and, too, during
the clear, calm moonlight nights, you
could hear the tinkling of the bells and
the sounds of gay laughter as one sleigh
load after another of young people sped
over the ice, bent on some merry-mak-
ing or frolic.
As Jean and Louise entered the cot
tage, their mother met them with "a
sober face How still and lonesome it
seemed without the bright baby, who
always laughed and put out his little
hands the moment the big brother came
in sight! Jean felt conscience-smitten
when he remembered how often he had
said: Bother take the babyr' when
his mother had left the little fellow in
his charge for few moments. In fact,
it was but two or three days since he
had been wicked enough to wish the
baby dead, when he had been called in
from play to rock the cradle. And
hadn't the good priest told the boys
of the parish school only that very week
'that murderous thought was almost
as bad in the eyes of God as murder
Gus blow" If the baby should die
the boys heart gave a great thump as
he thought of it--how could he, Jean
Laval, ever look any one in the face
again!
Take courage, mother!' he said,
bravely. IN harness Jet, and have
him at the door in moment"
Mrs. Laval wiped her eyes with the
corner of her apron and looked anx-
iously out of the window. care you
sure it is safe to cross, my son? Idon't
like the looks of that sky, and the wealth
er has been warmer lately, and there
have been signs of the breaking up of the
ice above u.s."
But that was far up the river; and
rs for the clouds, they do look pretty
squally, that's fact; but we shall be
back long before the storm breaks"
Louise knows what to tell the doc
tor. If he shouldn't be home, leave
word for him to come as soon as posi-
DiO, ohNi InCH utlly W VIC uIll 8-SJOIc anu
get the powder, and be sure and buy
double portion for Mother Barbet. She
is coming to stay with me while you
are away. Yes, l suppose it is best to
60"
In few moments Jean and Louise
were snugly tucked inside the little
sledge under the warm wolf-skins, and
the black pony with his head down, 90
ing at his best pace, brought them in
short time to the rivers edge. The
ice was soon crossed, and, after short
drive up the main street of the large
town, Jean pulled up in front of the
doctors office. Finding him out, he
scrawled a message on the slate, and,
stopping at the drugstore, he bought
two bottles of the white powder, which
he carefully placed in his inside coat
pocket; and then they started for
home.
How dark it has grownr' ex-
claimed Louise, as they reached the
crossing-place and saw crowd of men
standing looking out on the frozen
river and gesticulating earnestly land
that sky, Jean! it frightens me to look
at it." She pointed to a writhing mass
of huge inky clouds rapidly climbing
up from the horizon. The wind, which
had been blowing steadily all day, had
entirely died away, leaving a stiffness
which was almost oppressive. This
ominous silence was broken only by an
occasional moaning which seemed to
vibrate along the frozen surface of the
river.
AS the black pony stepped out upon
the ice, some men motioned Jean back;
and, finding him determined to 90 on,
two or three of them sprang forward
and seized the bride. you're Young,
my master, but you're old enough to
know better than to venture across in
the face of such sky as that. And
haven't you heard the news from up the
riverp the ice has already weakened in
spotsr'
"Let gor' said Jean, tightening his
hold on the reins. "Weak ice or not, I
must cross"
But several other men had gathered
in front OF the pony. "Back, back, |
say!' shouted one. 1--WE have had
orders to stop people from crossing:
but in truth, didn't think there would
be man or boy fool enough to attempt
it. Don't you know the meaning of
those clouds? The tornado may be on
us at any time-even now while we are
talking"
But tell you must cross. and you
have no right to keep me here losing
time" returned Jean, flushing angrily,
while Louise turned her face imploring-
ly toward the men.
1--WE must try to cross" she said,
with trembling lips my little brother
is sick-perhaps dying; we have been
for the doctor and are taking back the