The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1884-07-26
A TRUE HEROINE.

NOU long SlDce DuSlneSS VOOk me one
morning to small town in Pennsylva-
mia, the seat of well-known law and di-
vinity college. was enabled by train
of fortunate circumstances to finish my
work much sooner than l had thought
possible. and at three o'clock found N.Y.
sell with absolutely nothing to do, and
the prospect of having to wait three
hours and half for the train, which
did not leave until half past six.
The day was warm and the air of the
waiting-room at the depot simply intol-
er BILE. Its only other occupant bes de
myself was an old Dutch woman with a
basket on her arm and the inevi able
calico sun-bonnet on her head. She was
sitting close to the steam radiator, and
appeared half asleep.
Gong out on the platform, walked
up and down, enjoying the fresh air, but
feeling very tired, for had been obliged
to walk great deal during the morn
ing, and would have been glad to rest
now had l been able to find seat any
where except in that sitting waiting
room.
The railroad depot was situated on
the main street of the town, and, taking
longer turn than usual, my eyes hap
pened to catch the sign, college Con-
fectionery," suspended over the door of
a small store not far away. The one
window was filled with boxes of con-
feet onery, sugared nuts. candy dogs,
chickens and cats, popcorn balls, and
brilliantly dyed Easter eggs. Thinking
would buy some fruit, went into the
store, preceded by TWO little girls, one
OF whom had cent, the proper spend
ing of which seemed to give them both
a great deal of anxiety. While they
were celebrating over the relative
merits of pink chicken and yellow
dog had an opportunity to glance
about me.
The store was small, but exqusitely
neat, and back of it was large room
which looked very inviting with it's easy
rocking chair, rag carpet, bright stove,
and well made bed. The broad sill of
the one window was filled with flower
ing plants, and above them hung a
canary in a gilded cage.
The face of the little woman who
waited behind the counter was one of
the sweetest l ever saw. There was an
expression of peace and quiet content
upon it such as | never saw equaled.
Her pale golden hair was parted, and
drawn into shining coil at the back of
her small, shapely head, and the dark
serge dress she wore fitted her delicate,
youthful figure to perfection.
'Shall | wait on you, nowP' she
asked. as the children went out, and l
thought l had never heard voice
which fell more pleasantly on my ear.
| asked for some fruit, and then,
made bold by the thought of that close
waioing-room, and the consciousness
of my weary limbs, venturel to ask if
l might rest awhile in the back-room.
Certainly" she answered, and took
me in there at once, insisted on the re-
moval of my heavy ulster, drew out the
rocking-char and a foot-stool, and
brought me glass of water, chatting
all the time in cordial way that made
me feel very much at home.
81 know / have asked great favor"
said, but am so tired, and | feel
sure that even half an hour in that
waiting-r room would give me sick
headache, and really couidn't make up
my mind to three hours"
II am very glad to have you here, "
she said, and her tone had truthful
ring that there was no installing. you
must excuse the looks of this room.
though. You see we use it for bed
room, parlor, dining-room and kitchen
combined with little laugh.
''You are married, thenp" l said.
''You look very young"
'I've been married more than year,
and | am twenty-four," she answered.
If you think l look young, don't know
what you'll say to my husband. He is
Just my &c, but he looks great deal
younger.
Then she glanced at the brightly bur-
nished stove, on which stood three ket-
ties containing respectively, purple,
red and yellow dye.
lies been dyeing Easter eggs all
day." she said, land friend of his a
Methodist minister came in, and they