The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1885-04-25
Tea was soon over, and the eyeptful |

ne WIFI fresh courage lOE Lne ordeal.
The Judge and wife, Miss Lily and /.
rode together to the hall. The sight of
the brillantly-lighted room and the ex-
pectant faces of the people made my
knees tremble and my heart beat
quickly; but l left the Judge and his
family and made my way to the ante
room, where l found my friend the
chairman. In a few moments l was
upon the platform, facing hall full of
intelligent-looking people, and con-
spicuous among them the bright eyes
and charming face of Miss Lily. l do
not know what it was the chairman said,
l only know it was panegyric upon
me, and that when he said: II now
have the honor and the pleasure of pre-
senting TO you the celebrated lecturer
and scholar, Prof. Richardson" Iarose
and stood before them, undecided
whether to speak or to turn and run.
The applause which followed gave
me little time to brace up. So,
spreading the manuscript upon the
desk, l began. / had devoted a little
time to elocution, and had looked over
the manuscript in the cars, so that
was fairly familiar with it, and, as
proceeded, l kept gaining additional
courage, and the lecture was delivered
in way that astonished myself and
won repeated plaudits. A vote of
thanks to me was unanimously passed,
the audience dispersed, and l was soon
seated in the Judges pleasant parlor,
where he poured out a stream of con-
gratulatory remarks. Miss Lily was
silent, but l thought her looks Endorsed
her fathers speech. | was much tired
by my exertions, and gladly awaited
myself Of that excuse to retire.
Alone in my room, the possible con-
sequence of my evenings performance
troubled me. ] was deeply impressed
by Miss Lily's beauty, culture and be-
witching manners; but how could l
continue the acquaintance? | could
not long remain in the character of
Professor, and an attempt to explain
might complicate matters worse. the
only way to do was TO leave without ex-
planning, and contrive some way, in
future, to atone for my folly, So, after
breakfast, l took long walk, during
which l considered matters, and at last
stepped into telegraph Office to send
for my valse, which had almost escaped
my recollection. While standing in the
office, preparing my message, a man
came in and began chatting with the
operator. Just then the instrument
began to click. The operator read the
message, and gave cry of surprise.
Look here, Bill, " to the other man:
Didn't Prof Richardson lecture here
last night?"
Oh! What should l do if recognized
as the impostor!
II don't know" was the answer. 81
heard he did. though"
"Well, here is a message to the
Judge, from him, which says he
couldn't come, count of the storm
Something funny sonGyhere. I'd
better get this up to him as Soon as
possible.
So off he started to find boy tC
carry the message. Whatever l die
must be done quickly. found that {
train left in twenty minutes. / rushed
back to the Judges house, got in with
out being seen, grabbed my valise, anC
was soon on my journey to New York
from whence / telegraphed for my
valise. My heart smole me for treat
ing my hospitable host so; but / felt thu
worst at not being able to bid adieu t
Miss Lily. AS soon as / arrived at m,
hotel sent the following note to tn
Judge:
DEAR SR Unexpected circumstance
/ forced me into assuming the character of on
far more wise, but trust, not more deserv
ing than myself. l shall renew our aoquaint
ance IN propl1G persona in way that l hop
VIII entitle me to your confidence, and eXcus
the deception have practiced. With muc
esteem and respect Yours
CALEB S. ROCHESTER.
heard afterward what excitemen
followed the delivery of the Telegram
and the discovery of my absence. TIL
Judge and his wife were furious, bu
Miss Lily was confident it would com
out all right. Somehow, when my not
was received it tended somewhat tc
ward softening the Judges anger; bu
it was mystery for some time to Their
all. The Professor made trip to tn
place to investigate the matter, an
was invited to lecture. | am val
enough to be pleased with the fact tina
the people declared the false Professo
was the more eloquent of the two
Later, l called upon the Professor an
told him the whole story. He laughe
heartily at my adventure, and prove
to be a whole-souled man. Our az
quaintance ripened fast, and it was ne
long before was in S-again with
cordial Endorsement from him. Mi.
Lily answered my ring herself. and tn
look of astonishment upon her count
nance | shall never forget The reat
ing of the Professors letter made ever
thing satisfactory. The Judge laughe
loud and long as told him how I fe
upon my former visit. ] called aga
and very often, and one night thel
was a wedding in the pleasant parlo
at which Miss Lily became Mr.
T Rochester. The Judge declares thi