The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-06-13

~ many obhVl POOplO hiu NOV OlO""OA
around
She opened her large, blue eyes at me
as though she thought must be mis-
taken. After she had repeated the
question to make sure, and had received
the same answer hadn't the cou-age
to look her in the face when | said
Seventeen, and so made believe | was
terribly busy with some letters-she
walked away more slowly than usual.
The next three days running the rates
stood still at seventeen dollars, and
"My Customer I'D got to calling her
so in my mind-came and went regu-
larly at the same hour.
Then early the next morning we got
news of big break. Prices were all
at skies and seYens, but we started in at
fourteen dollars to Chicago. When She
camel suppose it does not cost any
more to put in capital than a small
"s"-l felt little nervous about telling
her. To tell the honest truth, | was
afraid she would buy ticket and that
would be the last would see of her.
Then thought to myself: cts none Of
your business, anyhow. What do you
care-what right have you TO careP'
And | had to answer back: mot any. "
And besides, it was evident she was so
anxious to 90 that would rather she
would 90 if it would make her the least
bit happier. 1t was rather a got-used-
to-being-disappointed sort of tone in
which she asked her regular question,
but there was plenty of life and snap,
and it sounded good to hear the way in
which she said: "Oh, thank your
when l told her Fourteen" just as
though | was responsible for it and
made all the rates for the whole country.
But she didn't buy any ticket all the
same, and it may be foolish for a
scalper to say--and a scalper who is not
in the habit of getting left-to own up,
fair and square, that | was downright
relieved when she did not plank down
fourteen dollars on my counter
1t was fourteen dollars the next day,
and she asked me if l thought it would
90 any lower. / told her everything
was so mixed up it was impossible to
tell, but the chances were that tickets
would yet sell for twelve dollars and
perhaps less.
"Do you think they will get as low as
ten dollarsP" she asked.
And then | knew her figure and what
she was waiting for, and | was glad to
size up her pile at last
Il wouldn't wonder if it got down to
ten," said, "but / don't know how
soon it will be, and hope you are in
no hurry about going"
When that fly clerk of mine heard
what l had said about hoping she
wasn't in hurry, having seen her com.
ing in or going out every day for two
or three weeks, he thought | was trying
to be sarcastic, and the continental idioi
laughed.
First she looked at him and then al
me with those great, blue eyes, and
then, without a word she walked
away, and somehow | felt as though
would not see her again. haven't go
the ugliest disposition in the world, bu
believe / would really have enjoyed
choking that fly clerk until he was hal
dead. As it was, told him in cutrat,
times the profits would not allow tn,
luxury of two clerks, and as he was tn,
last to come he should be the first tt
90, and that he could look for anothe
place at the end of the week. When h,
turned pale and said he had a sicl
mother and two little sisters to supper
on his ten dollars a week, of course
could do nothing but keep him; but
I, gave him some advice about laughing
in the wrong place that he wont forge
to his dying day.
; She didn't come the next day, nor tn
next, nor the next. Twas getting nerv
Gus and too cross for any earthly us
: when, on the fourth day after my fl
l clerk laughed say the fourth da
after, because he hadn't laughed sine
: in she came at the usual hour.
Tickets are eleven dollars to-day,
/ said, before she had time to ask he
l regular question, and could not hel
l showing that was glad to see he
! again, although for the life of me
dared not say so. And then, withou
giving her time to speak, j ratified Oh
you've had so much bother an
1 trouble waiting, though, that l wi
" make it ten to you if you are in hurr
to 60"
D l did this to make up for the rudenes
of my fly clerk, but it was an effort tbs
took nerve, l tell you, for l was sur
u this would be the last of her, and tina
. OF all things, was what l didn't want
see.
= Il thank you very much" she sale
: "but lam able to pay the full price whe
I, l buy ticket " mi ii 70
! When she was gone was rather gla
! to know that her pride had prevente
Q her accepting my offer of dollars di
r count, for it gave me still anothe
q chance of seeing her even if ten dollal
r should be the next days rate g#-
v 1t was selfish, know, and own u
!. to it. but l felt as near like fellow VIII
S is sentenced to be hanged and then ge
g a reprieve for twenty-four hours as
it hope / ever will feel when l found Ii
V next days rate was twelve dollar