The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-04-18
THE LOST |. 0. U.
Punishment, Though Long De-
layed, Did Finally Come.

Some men seem to take naturally to
whatever promises to be unfortunate to
them, and it must have been blind ODE
dience to this law that Charles Day in
sisted on regarding Jonas Terry as his
friend. There was nothing in common
between the men but love for Josie
Merritt, and such circumstance is not
usually conducive to friendly feeling.
Charles had wavy brown hair, pleas
ant face and fine tenor voice. Jonas
kept his hair cut after some penitentlary
fashion, his features were thick and
commonplace, and he had a short,
stumpy figure. Their mental differ
ences were quite as great; Charles was
rapid and bright, Jonas slow and Sc
cretive; Charles also was affectonate
and prodigal, Jonas saving and pru-
dent, and inclined to make merit of
always looking out for himself Both
were young men of some fortune and
position, but Jonas alone was in bust
ness. Charles lived upon the rents of
his property, and devoted his time to
the ladies in general, and to Josie Mer-
Fit in particular
One evening in June they sat togeth-
er in the library of Charles fine house.
They had been discussing some summer
plans, and Charles said:
leave off grinding at that money
mill of yours, Jonas, and come with
me; we shall have pleasant months
cruise"
II can not possibly do it. To tell
the truth, | am in very tight place,
and it is bad time for raising money"
"How much do you wantP'
"About twelve thousand"
"Will ten thousand do?"
"Yes; ten would put me out of straits.
In fact, ten thousand now might be
worth fifty thousand to me-"
Charles walked to his secretary, and
unlocking it, counted out the amount
in bills, and handed them to his friend,
saying;
Just give me your L o. u, Jonas,
for two months after date. Win that be
long enougA?"
"You don't mean this, Charlesp"
"Why, yes, do, old fellow. 1t is
not much of kindness, after all You
see, Merritt paid me my quarters rents
to-day, and shall be sure to spend all
before the quarter is over if | keep the
money where | can get at it. In two
months / shall be out of funds, and in
the height of the season. 1t is plan OF
mine to secure ten thousand for clear
ing up in September. "
THANK you, Charles. l will accept
the loan with pleasure, and if you should
need it before why, just drop me line,
/ shall be out of trouble long before
September"
The young man then drew pen and
some paper toward him, wrote out the
l. o. u, and handed it to his friend,
observing, as he did so; ALLOW me to
say, Charles, that it is foolish to keep
so much money here. Put it with your
banker"
Certainly. Merritt paid me this
afternoon. 1t was so hot when he left
/ thought would not 90 downtown
until the morning. There is no danger.
Nobody but you and Merritt and myself
knows anything about il"
Then he lifted the l. o. u, glanced
at it, and rose to put in his secretary;
but as he was crossing the room Jonas
said: Il heard to-day that Josie Merritt
is to marry Lieutenant Pierce"
In an instant the young mans
thoughts were diverted from his money
affairs. He was much excited at the
information, refused to believe it, and
went over and over, with a passionate
earnestness, his reasons for being GER
tain that such thing could not be.
"Why, he Kept repeating, IL have
known her ever since she was a little
bit of girl. l carried her books L