The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-09-22


sal, Phil added fancy sketch to these
particulars, which he had not deemed
necessary to draw before the family cir
Gle. This sketch had reference TO the
wider field opened to the staff of the
firm by the change, their bettered posi-
tions, their early, and of course, always
happy marriages, and possibility of
some one of the number being selected
to take charge of the accounts at the
London branch of the house. If this
were so, the delights of living in the
metropolis might fall to the lot of Mr.
Phil Hartleby and his wife-that would
be; and they, like all residents in the
provinces, thought of London very much
as we are told predecessors thought
of it in Wilmington time.
Much of the Information apart from
this sketch, which, as we have explained,
was reserved for select listener, was
earnestly discussed by Mr.. barnett. to
whom it was as interesting as to Philip
himself, as the former did what was for
him a large business with the firm, and
it was of Importance that he should
know whether certain facilities for trans
acting this business would be increased
or diminished by the change. Philip
took very sanguine view, basing his
conclusions upon the character which
had preceded the new partner, who
was said to have no old-fashloned no.
tons which would cramp and restrict
the business, such as Mr.. More some
times labored under No; he was one
who liked the customer to Ego ahead"
the faster and further the better These
were evidently agreeable tidings to Mr..
barnett, and he was as thoroughly pre-
pared as Philip himself to rejoice in the
coming of Mr.. Pike.
| Both before and after the rehearsal,
which was of but short duration, this
kind of conversation prevailed, and
Philip having seen Marian to her
fathers house, left in even higher spirits
than he came, at the prospect which the
himself and his friends.
Pills home was in Sandsmouth; and
as he entered a suburb of the town, he
heard the sound of angry voices, and
turning sharp angle of the road, came
in sight of the speakers. A gentleman
on horseback was engaged in alterca-
ton with man at the roadside; the
latter was holding some object in his
arms in the darkness, Philip could not
at first accurately make out what this
was. Two or three men from a neigh
! boring beer-house had come out at the
sound of the voices, and stood looking
on and smoking, with but langrlid in
terest,, as no chance of a personal con-
flict seemed likely to be evolved.
The man on the footpath was low
looking, shabbily-dressed fellow, not of
the rustic or laboring type, but rather
of the clash townsman order, being,
indeed, just the man upon whom a
police officers eyes would turn by in
stinct.
That's lie, and you know it." he
said, bitterly, in continuation of some
earlier argument. ''The dog was try
ing to get out of your way, till you hit
him with your whip and drove the poor
brute under your horses feet. wish l
had you off your horse on the Downs
here, would give you something to re-
member him by"
"Why, have seen you before!" eX-
claimed the gentleman. ''Now, you
move into the light, l recollect you.
The man shrank back pace or two
here, so as to avoid the rays of a gas
light which shone from the neighboring
beer-house! "Oh! you need not stink
back" continued the horseman; Il
know you! / saw you on the race
course yesterday. You are a thimble-
rigger, three-card man, and pick
pocket into the bargain, have nc
doubt. II / could see the police SER
geant now, would have you locked up
at once"
A murmur from the lookers-on i'm
piled that this was not fair fighting and
had nothing to do with the points under
discussion.
LOOK here, SIR" said the man, en-.
couraged probably by this token Of
sympathy, and turning to Philip as the
most important member of his audience
"you see this poor dog?" He opened
his arms as he spoke, and showed thai
what he held was little brown dog
dying or dead, so Philip judged from
the helpless manner in which it was
lying.
Poor fellow' said Phil in the pity
ing tone one instinctively falls into OF
seeing suffering dumb animal.
Are you enc of the gangP" de
manded the rider, who was clearly no
distinguished for good temper.
Phil looked rather angrily up at tn,
speaker and met his eye. He was
, man of middle age, dark complexion
and with remarkably glossy whiskers
while his eyes were keen, unfeelin,
eyes-so thought Phil, as he noted then
, in single glance by the gas-light. ="
know no more of gang than yourself, ;
, retorted Phil. 81 am only sorry to Sc
the poor little dog in such state. TIL
man seems fond of him, and you cal
not uanIar &c ba faaIS &c loco