The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-29
OUR NEW MANAGER.
From Chambers Journal
CHAPTER u.-CoNTTNIyEp,

CHAPTER DISCONTINUED.
Mr. Pike, who raised his head and
bowed in return, met the eye of the
Young clerk for an instant in full; it
was but for an instant, and the dark,
stern features of the stranger were as
unmoved as so much marble, yet an
ominous feeling possessed Phil, and he
could not help fearing that he was rec
-ognized, as certainly as he had recog-
nized Mr.. Pike. Yet there was good
deal to make this unlikely, for he had
been on foot in the shade, and his voice
had only once or twice been heard by
the horseman; while the latter was far
more conspicuous from being mounted
and sitting in the direct line of the gas
light, and from having spoken a good
deal. Although Phil stole several
chances at the new partner during the
interview, he could not detect the
slightest approach to an expression of
remembrance; nevertheless, he Quilted
the apartment with very uncomfort-
able feeling, and hearty regret that
he should have stopped to listen to a
roadside quarrel on the previous even
ing.
Of course there was great deal of
talk in the contingencies about the
new master during the day; and the
general opinion was that he would be a
tight hand, n screw, a tartar, with
divers other uncomplimentary epithets
all tending to the same description of
character. A few days passed on, DUR
ing which Phil saw or heard nothing to
make him suppose that he had been
recognized by Mr.. Pike, so The ominous
feeling referred to gradually faded,
though it did not quite disappear.
The night for the concert arrived
and it need hardly be said that Phil was
early in attendance at the Lower Down
Road in order to convey Miss Marian
and her sisters-for two younger mem
bers of the family were to assist in the
choruses-to the school-room. For this
concert was by no means grand affair,
being purely local, even parochial
display. Not but that it was of gigan-
tic Importance to the "artists" en-
gagged, all of whom, including Miss
barnett, had been nervous and excited
for some weeks preceding, Marian had
tried very hard to persuade Mrs. Vail
ems to come and hear the music; but al
though that lady took great interest
in her young friends success, and was
pleased to hear every little detail in
connection with the concert, her recluse-
like habit could not be broken through,
and she would not give the promise.
The description of the concert may be
comprised in line-it was highly sue
,cessful. The Sandsmouth Gazette man.
aged to fill nearly a column and a half
with it, criticising-or rather eulogizing
without criticism-every singer and
player in every effort; while the Sands
mouth Chronicle, having quarrel with
the chief promoter of the concert, was
content to give exactly six and half
lines to the affair.
To the delight of Phil, the honors of
the evening were unquestionably car
ried off by Marian. Her good looks
and attractive manner may have had
something TO do with this-too often it
is so; but in any case, she was the star
of the night. A less pleasurable feature
was the presence of Mr.. Pike, who, to
the surprise of Phil, entered with a
group of the most influential patrons of
the concert. He seemed to be greatly
interested in the various items, taking a
lead also in the applause which was so
literally awarded to Miss barnett.
After the performance, the clergyman
who presided introduced Mr.. Pike and
another stranger to one or two of the
principal artists-of course including
Miss Darnett-mentioning at the same
time that Mr.. Pike was gentleman
who had just become resident in his
parish, and, being an enthusiastic adj
mirer of music, wished to have an OPP
portunity of saying how much he had
been delighted by the admirable execu-
tom Our readers can supply the
remainder of the worthy pastors har'
angue.
The compliments which Mr. Pike
uttered so easily and fluently confused
Miss barnett, who blushed, but did not
look any the less pretty while doing so,
Had l dreamed of hearing anything
half so charming" continued Mr.. Pike,
81 should certainly have come provided
With the orthodox bouquet to throw to