The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-05-09

Fun, having succeeded so we'll felt
highly elated, and, with light heart
left the establishment.
His boat did not return until the
next morning, hence he was compelled
to spend the night in the city, and
evening was drawing on. Our hero
wandered about, enjoying the sights
until nights After cheap supper, he
thought he would go down to the
wharves and see some of the "big
steamboats, of the lower Mississippi.
Two were lying there ready for their
Southern flight. Huge volumes of
smoke were pouring out OF the CHM
neys, and there was great hurrying to
and fro on board each boat
"When does this boat leave, sir, said
Fun to a policeman, pointing to the
ocean Spray"
"In half hour" was the reply.
Just then a carriage drove down to
the wharf, and the liyeried coachman
opened the door. An elderly gentle
man and his wife alighted, and were
followed by young lady. Fun needed
no second look 1t was Effie Worth
with her father and mother.
They walked up the gang-plank on
board the Ocean Spray" and were
lost to sight in the throng on the YES
sci. Fun, who had felt so lonely in
that big city all the day, now thought
how near he was to friends that he
knew. He resolved to go aboard and
catch one more glimpse of them-Etlie,
at least.
He joined the hurrying crowd on
deck, looking eagerly for a familiar
face. A deep, mellow note on the great
bell was struck-another, another
Then the hoarse whistle followed. The
gang-planks were pulled in, and before
our now thoroughly bewildered hero
could rush forward, the great boat had
swung out into the stream, and was
gathering herself for q swift flight down
the river.
Poor FUN stumbled past the piles OF
freight in his haste to reach the rear OF
the boat, for he, being an expert swim
mer, had determined to swim back tC
land Happily he was frustrated in
the daring attempt A hand was laid
on his shoulder, and friendly voice adj
dressed him: ''Why, | declare; it,
Fun! How do you do, sir? Which
wayP'
1t was Mr. Worth.
Fun soon explained his unfortunate
predicament to his friend.
"Oh, we can arrange that very nice
, ly. You shall be my guest until W.
reach M tomorrow. morning You
can take the cars there for st. Louis il
time to catch the evening boat for home
My wife and / and Etie are bound TO
New Orleans and Florida. Come IN ant
see them.
Into the cabin they went and founC
Mrs. Worth and Effie. Both seemed
pleased to meet Fun, and Ellie told he
? mother of the visit to the printing OF
fee.
t ''What funny name you have.
said Ellie, lit isn't all the one you have
5 is itPn -
t "Oh. no." respontie ] Fun My RICH
name is Alsfum MiPn / was nick
= named Fun long aas and have a
t ways retained it..
Y The conversation was here interrupted
: by an unusual excitement on the boat
/ Our little party went on deck and 500
. learned the cause of it. The other larg
steamer, the Belle of St Louis, hwhicI
+ had followed them out Of that city, wa
n crowding on steam and coming up RAP
1 idly. Her decks were lined with pa,
sengers, who seemed to anticipate a
4 exciting event
n Soon word passed from mouth t
: mouth among the passengers on til
) ocean Spray:
e "a racem
}. Only too true. Orders were given b
S the Captain to crowd on every poun
y of steam. The furnaces roared, and til
il heavy. black smoke poured unceasingl
e from the smoke stacks.
= Meanwhile, the crew on the "Belle
l. were not idle, and, under their effort.
It that craft crept slowl y up along side hC
Y rival.
Z. The Captain of the ocean Spray
f. then became furious.
e Throw in the turpentine barrels! !
= with emf"
1t How the great furnaces Tapped u
9 this liquid food How the devoted We
r sci groaned and trembled under til
d burden she was carrying!
Many of the passengers now BEGAN
8. greatly alarmed, and attempted to il
If tercede with the Captain. But he VIZ
lie furious with liquor by this time, an
1t shouted his commands more fiercely
d One poor lady who was accompan,
lie ing the body of her little child to SON
is point down the river, bowed her hea
20 low on the little white casket al
% moaned:
m "Oh! why do they do this! Oh! N
IN baby, my babyp
just then a wild cry rang out;
e. "Firer' The boat is on fire." Al
re then there was a scene of terro
,e But that was not ALL While the hal
crazed passengers rushed hither al
1t thither, death laid his hand on Il