The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-02-10

packet TO tell for whom it w.t. intend
ed. She wanted it 10 go where it was
needed the most. and, of course, the
post. office people would know where
that was, she retlected; so she carefully
printed, in very uneven letters: For
the greatest heathen," and then laid
the precious package away, 10 await a
future opportunity. She would trust
her secret to no one, lest some unfore-
seen Interference might result, and she
cautiously sought information.
How do you do when you put any
thing into the post-oflice?" she de-
manded of Mary Jane sullivan.
"Why, you lust put 'em in. You 90
in the door. and there's an open place
where you drop EN- right down." eX-
claimed Mary Jane lucidly.
How good Rue was for days after
that How she washed dishes in the
kitchen, under the care of Miss Doro-
thy. and made beds in the dormitories,
under the supervision of Mrs Mehita-
BILE, and so, at last, earned the privilege
of being the one sent to town on some
tritliing erraud for the matron.
Thus it happened that one bright
morning the clerks in the post-olfice
were surprised by little packet tossed
in upon the floor, and a glimpse of a
blue check apron vanishing hurriedly
through the door Unstamped and
with its odd address, it created ripple
of amusement.
For the greatest heather That
must be you, Captain" declared one;
and the postmaster laughingly, took
charge of it, and then forgot it until.
at home that evening, he found it in
his pocket.
"What is itP' asked his wife, pres
emily, as she saw him silent and alb
sorbed; and, looking over his shoulder,
| she read the little letter with him.
Original in spelling and peculiar in
chirography it certainly was, but they
slowly deciphered it.
az haven't any money to give, cause I'm
one of the little girls at the Home. Some of
| them have relations to send them things some
times; but haven't. 1have two Bibles; but
| | wouldn't give this TO any one but the
| heather, cause my own mamma gave 1t to
me. It's nice to have mamma to cuddle you
tuck you into bed at night, and not have to be
! put in a row all the time, IL makes n lump all
swell up i'm my throat when think about It.
| and my eyes get so hot and wet | can hardly
| see. wish God did have homes enough, so
| He could give every little boy and girl II real
one, and we needn't be all crowded up in one
when see all the houses, it most seems as II
there must lie enough to go round; but |
s'pose there isn't. lguessit Ii be the real kind
| well have up in Heaven, and want to go
there; ard that's why send you this Bible, so
you can learn about t. You must read 1t and
| be good. OH dear It's dreadiully hard to be
| good when you haven t any mamma. l hope
you've got one, if she is heather, for I'm
most sure that's better than no kind. Good
| bye. "HUE LINDSEY.
Poor little thing" exclaimed the
| 1nI, b,1 To-, II, Inn
moisture in her brown eyes.
Captain Grey looked around the beau
tiful room.
was properly directed and has reached
its rghtful destination" he said
thoughtfully "Think of it, Mary-all
these cosy, pretty rooms, and no one to
occupy them but you and me. while
there are so many such little homes ok
souls in the world! You have spoken
of it before; but | was too selfishly con-
tented to care about it. If Pm not the
greatest heathcn,' | have certainly been
far enough from the sort of Christianity
this book requires"
"Wel?n questioned Mrs. Grey, with
shining eyes, waiting for the conclusion
of the matter.
"Shall | 90 to morrow and bring this
little midget home with me-for visit,
say-and see what will come of it?'
1t did not occur to little Rue that the
stranger she met in the hall the next
day, and who had a long interview with
the matron, could be of any possible in
terest to her small self, until she was
summoned downstairs, to see m.
would you like to 90 home with
, this gentleman, for visit of a week OF
two, Rue? He has come to ask you, u
said the matron.
Me?" questioned Rue, oblivious o.
grammar lessons and with dozen eX
clamation points in her voice, There
was no danger of her declining. The
prospect of a Wis t anywhere was de
lighttul, and the possibility of such 6
/, thing almost as Won ierful as a fairy
, tale so it was q very bright little face
that aptain Grey found bes de him il
the carriage, an Rue looked up at hin
: shyly, thro Oh her rings OF sunny hair
t. ask, as the only imaginable solution
of the happy problem; g Are you one o
my relationsP
Eyes; but / didn't remember it unit
last night" he answered. gravely.
= The weeks that followed were br mfu
of Joy to Rue, and she won her wa,
, straight into the home and hearts tina
, had opene to receive her.
"And so you think l may tell thu
matron that you do not care to go back
3 but are willing to stay here?' ques
toned the Captain, when the allotted
5 time had expired.
l - guess, replied Rue, looking down
: at her da nty, RULED attire and suddenl,
fiin0ino her arms around Mrs Grew