The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-01-13

grew restless at the uncanny sight, and
Jim sprang to their heads, while Pat,
fervently invoking the protection of the
Virgin Mary and an untold number If
saints, Showed his lack of faith in their
efforts In bis behalf by Immediately
tumbling himself over the hedge, where
he lay concealed.
As the thing came near il ran to the
side o. the road opposite to which Jim
had turned his horses, and there fell to
pieces, and while one part of it leaned
against the fence, the other, in the shape
OF well-looking, blue-ilanneled boy.
ran toward Jim.
"Oh-did / brighten your horses?"
he cried, in tone OF frank politeness.
"Well, i m sorry. ought to have stopped
sooner, but where | live the horses are
getting used to them and didn' think.
Whoa, now-poor fellow" patting
them. and the well-meaning creatures
looked an immediate recognition of the
friendly voice and touch.
what have you got there"' asked
Jim, looking in great curiosity at the
thing leaning against the fence.
"a bicycle-havn't you seen any? I
guess there are not very many about yet,
but my father amachine man and that s
how | came by the luck of getting one.
We're boarding at Farmer Merrivale' s
down there, and can make the distance
out here in loss than no time" This was
indefinite, but it was three miles, and
Jim had seen for himself how like a
thing of life the wonderful skeleton
steed moved. He examined it with
thoughtful eyes.
alt doesn't have to eat, does itP"
mo" said the boy, laughing. 'only
little oil once in WHILE
But its cost was beyond that of a
pony. Jim watched in delight and
longing as it, with its owner, were
spinning down the road, while Pat crept
from his hiding-place with many an ex-
clamation over the ''wan-legged wheel
barry"
From that hour Jim had never given
up the idea of possessing bicycle,
and in dreams hal seen more than
one picture of himself flying over the
roads carrying on his back a bag of
Matchmaker and sachel of school
books. tf
IT think I'll 90 down to the State
Fair next week, mother"
ITO the State Fair, JimmyP' she said,
in surprise. He did not often go on a
frolic.
Yes, Pm going to try if can't make
little money there"
"How, my boy?"
:" Pm told the fairgrounds are more
than mile out of the city, and that
there's always great demand for teams
to carry passengers to and from it.
I've been talking to Deacon Granger,
and he's willing to trust me with his
pair of grays, and I'm going to hire
Brown big new spring wagon, and /
believe L can make a good deal over
what L shall have to pay for team and
wagon"
"And their keep, and your own-?"
this mother and son were used to very
close calculating.
"Yes, | think | can do it."
He was on the alert for passengers
early on the first morning OF the fair.
Exhibitors only were arriving on that
day, but he found plenty to do among
those who des red the carriage of light
articles and fancy wares. On the Sec
ond day the people came pouring in
from all directions, and the accommo,
dating boy with the well-governed, light
stepping grays was in constant demand
The third day was brilliant in sunshine,
and city and fairgrounds AMI the space
intervening seemed alike Overlooking
with the busy, merry, chattering crowd.
About the middle of the forenoon
came lull in Jim's work, the arriving
stream having about ceased and the re-
turning one not yet begun. jim went
for look at the machinery, much Of
which had arrived since he had beer
AROUND that way before. He gazed fol
a while awe-struck at the great power
engine, quietly moving its ponderous
arms AMI wheels in such fearful, master
full strength for cool or for ill. He was
then examining with intelligent interes
the beautiful perfection OF some i'm
proved farming implements when hi;
attention was drawn to something which
moved in and out among surrounding
on-lookers with almost the swiftness
and lightness of a sunbeam. 1t was {
graceful, boyish figure mounted on
bicycle which cleaned and shone il
polished steel and nickel plating. AnC
as he came nearer and sprang lightly tC
the ground, Jim's face beamed will
surprise and pleasure as he perceived
that it was the same boy whom he haC
seen more than year before.
''Halloor' he said, as Jim modestly
Apr ached to look at the bicycle
"Havn't / seen you teiore somewhere
khave, know; way yes, don't you re
member the time l frightened you
horses"
Jim was charmed by the cordial rec
ignition, and the two 'roys were soon il
earnest discussion over the merits o
the different machines. Harvey Glenn