The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-11-07
YOUTHS DEPARTMENT.
THE LITTLE GENTLEMAN.

tell you about
To us who were being borne cityward
in the swift-fying express train, it
seemed as if there was not breath of
air stirring. All the windows were wide
open, yet no cool and refreshing breeze
came in to make our journey more en-
durable.
The car seemed to condsnse the heat
on its shining surface and radiate it
through its interior, and we felt as |
imagine turkey must, if he were alive,
when he is put in one of the old
fashioned, shed-like ovens our grand
mothers still love to use once in awhile,
just for the sake of the good old days.
We went often from our uncomforta-
BILE seats to the water-tank. but all the
water we drank could not keep out the
heat that seemed to make the air vibrate
about US, as you can see it on hot days
over a stubble-feld.
The train-boy brought in fans to sell
by the armful, and we all patronized
him.. For little while we stirred the
stagnant air vigorously with them.
Then the exertionof using them became
too great, and they were dropped idly
in the ,eats, and we sat and swelter9d.
The train stopped at little country
station, and woman with achild came
into the car. The woman was a pale,
tired-looking creature, and. the child, q
boy, was one of those tireless, uneasy
urchins, who want to be always on the
move.
The lady sat down YEARLY and lifted
the boy to a seat beside her with a look
that said she hoped he might go to sleep
soon. But nothing was further from
his thoughts Just then than nap. He
climbed up beside his mother and in
sisted on standing at the window with
his head. out of it, thus obliging her to
hold on to him.
please, Freddy, sit down by man.
ma" she said. You're such biz
fellow that it's hard work to hold on to
YOU, and mamma, is,very tired. Won t
you, dear?' ..
81 want to look out and see things"
answered Freddy, too young and full OF
spirits to understand how any one could
be tired.
His mother gave along sigh, as if she
saw that she must submit to the newt
able.
Wont you come here and look out
of my Window" / asked, thinking
was better able to keep the boy out OF
mischief than his mother was.
Freddy looked at me for moment
critically, then shook his head
'I'll stay with mamma, he said.
'Tm much obliged to you for pro-
posing to take him off my hands, she
said. Il have very bad headache,
and have tried to get him to sleep, but
he persists in keeping wide'awake.
Ihad not noticed the little gentleman
who sat opposite before. l think he
had come into the train at the same
station at which the woman did.
perhaps the little boy'll let me take
care OF him." he said, pleasantly.
won't you, FreddyP"
Freddy looked him over for mo-
ment, and got down from the window
and walked across the aisle 20 him.
Yes, I'll stay with YOU" he said
and allowed himself TO be lifted into
the little gcntleman's seat.
You look as if you were almost tireC
out" the boy said to Freddy's mother.
IF You could sleep, it would rest you
Pm sure. III see to this little fellow
for YOU
Thank you! you are very kind
the weary woman answered, with {
sigh, but he's too big fellow for s
title boy to care for.
ooh no, ma am, can get along witt
MIN well enough" answered the little
fellow bravely. you 90 to sleep if you
can, and don't worry about Freddy
and me- If you'll LET me, I'll take hin
TO the other end of the car, where hi:
talking won't be SO likely to disturb
you"
"I'm not afraid to trust you will
him." she answered, for the mani,
look on the lads face gave full assur
ance of his character and trustworthi
ness. IF you are sure he won't b.
too much trouble to you''--
'In risk that" answered the it'll
; gentleman. Come, Freddy" an,
taking hold of the boys hand, he LEI
him to the other end of the car, and tn
tired mother lay back in the seat an
closed her eyes.
Freddy had wants by the dozen, an
? mis- self-constituted guardian attende
to them patiently. By and by ther
| were signs OF lull in the demand o
: his attention, and with ready tact h
proposed to tell stories if the othC
) would listen, and Freddy allowed him
! self to be coaxed into a reclining att
tude. Then the storytelling began
| and before the first story ended. Fredt
4 was asleep,
Twas sure could get him to sleep,
Y said the little gentleman to me, with
. twinkle in his bright eyes. Il kno
just the sleepy kind of stories it need
r you see," Then he made a pillow f
t Freddy's head, and laid him down
carefully as the boys mother coul
When that was done, he came to h
e and asked if he should not get her son
water The tank had been filled at t