The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-07-04
R0BINS0N'S WIFE.
A Custom-House Sketch by q Man
of Experience.

was going to write story without
a moral to it, but my wife says the
thing can't be done, and so, to please
her. am going to commence this by
remarking that Honesty is the best
policy" My wife says that the fellow
who wrote that had tried the other
thing first, and that was exactly the
case with the man whose story | am
going to tell you just as he told it to
me.
We had made friends, after the fash
ion of ocean travellers, on recent voy-
age across the Atlantic; had smoked
more than one cigar together pacing
the deck of the steamer, and had con-
doled with each other over the short
comings of our respective room-mates
though had we roomed together we
should probably have found even more
fault with each other. And now we
were approaching the stage in which
mutual condolences and the COMPARE
son of experiences were the order of the
day.
As we neared the American shore
The conversation not unnaturally turned
upon that topic so familiar to ocean
travellers the contents of our various
inpedimentG and the steps we respect
lively proposed to take in reference to
the approaching visit of the Custom
house officials.
"Well," said 1, "'Honesty is the best
policy, after all. 1t certainly gives the
least trouble. Besides, have con.
scientiOus objection to swearing falsely
anyhow, and | confess it seems to me
that you can not avoid either lying OF
declaring what you have. And, indeed
/ never have any trouble. | declare
and once in awhile have to pay. My
conscience is clear, and l believe if
were to reckon up my outgoings in du
ties they would not equal what many
of my friends who cross less often spenC
in fees to the officials"
Mr.. Robinson-that wasn't his name
and my wife says l surely might thinl
of something better to call him thar
that-Mr Robinson, / say, looked
versation was taking.
He addressed me next in . tone O
almost pathetic solemnity:
Brown, nv dear fellow'--Browi
isn't my name either, but let it pass
Brown, my dear fellow, take my ad
vice and let the Custom-house peopl
alone"
looked at Robinson little curious
". Had the notion affected his reason
or was that last cocktail which tina
hosptable fellow Jones insisted i
pressing upon US while ago littl
too-too?
I'm sure l am agreeable" at last
remarked; "but it's hardly queStio
of choice. It's rather in their optic
whether they'll let US alone, isn't ii?
Robinson looked nervously aroun
as though afraid of being overheard
and then whispered in tones of awe
thrilling intensity:
''For Heavens sake, Brown, don
ct her know that l told your
was about to remark in tone {
thoughtless levity that, considerin
he had not so far confided anything {
me, l should hardly be in position {
divulge his secret, even if so inclined
But restrained myself, from an il
stinctive feeling that there was som,
thing more behind, and only n
marked:
by hev' ! l presume you mean Mr.
Robinson?"
just sou he replied. ''She woul
never forgive me if she knew that ha
told you
But you haven't told me- l expo
tulated:
Light a fresh cigar" was the a
swer, land let's sit down here undI
the shelter of the cabin, and | will tc
YOU why l never see certain bra'
officer without a cold shudder.
1--WE were on our wedding trip, Mr.
Robinson and !, in the spring of Is
well. Mrs. Robinson doesn't like me