The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-07-17
CHAPTER II.
JACK HAWKINS.

Mr.. Miles family consisted OF his
wife, two sons and a daughter, who
went by the name of "Pinkey." Mrs.
Miles was a good-natured, motherly
dame, who was at home only with cows
and poultry.
The sons were robust young men
who had inherited their fathers consti-
tuition and their mothers good nature.
Each, to use his own expression, was
as strong as an OK. "
There is no more beautiful specimen
of Gods handiwork than the hardy
sons of the soil whom we find in the
rural districts. 1t is these same farm
ers' sons of the soil who not only fur
nish the muscle of our country, but the
largest amount of brains.
1t is these robust farm lads who
make our Legislators, our Governors
and Presidents. We ask the reader
who doubts our assertion to Just think
moment how many Presidents of the
United States there have been who
were not born and chiefly reared on
farms.
But we beg pardon, we are wander
inc from the story
The morning after Walter Brown
fields engagement to Mr.. Miles, he
was aroused at early dawn by John
Miles nudging him in the side, saying:
at is about time farm men were up.
We must git out and feed"
"You mean 90 to breakfast?' asked
Walter, rubbing his eyes sleepily, and
contrasting this early rising with the
pleasant morning nap he was permitted
to take in the city.
breakfast, moi" said John, in a
tone of some contempt. "D'ye 'spose
we people in the country do nothin'
but eat. No, sir, we must git out an
feed the hogs, horses, cattle and sheep
afore breakfast. Well be late about it;
| assure you," added John, rather
snappishly. "Ben's been gone for an
hour or more"
Walter crawled from the warm bed
shivering with cold-for the first au-
tumn frost had fallen during the night
wishing that he could have got half
an hours more sleep.
Seeing that John regarded him some
what contemptuously, he hurried on
the farmer costume, and went out.
There was haying cattle, measuring
and carrying to each horse his rations
of oats, feeding the green fodder to
the sheep in the pasture, of which
Walter had his due share assigned him.
He felt little timid as the cattle
with long sharp horns ran after him,
while scattering the hay, but his de-
termined will overcame his terror, and
he got through the feeding with credit
to himself.
Breakfast was announced, and he ac
companied the boys to the rear yard
where there was a well, some wasf
basins and towel hanging on the out
side wall.
This was a strange place for one t.
perform his morning additions and ar
range his toilet, but he found it not un
pleasant, and supposed it was health
inspiring. They drew the cold, spark
ling water from the well and each pro
ceeded to wash his face, head anC
neck.
Walter followed their example anC
found towel, comb and mirror hangins
on the outside wall, by and with whicI
he arranged his toilet. When this wa
completed they went to breakfast
Walter was sure he never enjoyed
better meal.
Mr.. Miles, as was his usual custom
laid out the work for the boys durinj
the day. Ben, the younger, was t
pillow some meadow land, and John
the older, and Walter were to "cut am
shock" corn"
Mr.. Miles himself harnessed a spa
of horses to the light farm wagon an
announced that he and his daughte
Pinkey would 90 to Bushville to d
some fall marketing. The farmer ais
= intended to take some bags of whea
to the mill to be ground.
Pinkey Miles was always pretty, bu
= when she was attired in her holida
dress, and neat little leghorn bonne
= she looked more so than ever.
, Walter received one glance fror
those roguish black eyes as she cam
| out to get into the wagon, and he fe
2 a strange tluttering at his heart.
t He stihed down any emotion h
: might have, and taking his corn knit
q followed John Miles to one field, viii
Pinkey, by her fathers side on th
l wagon, drove away.
, Mr.. Miles had on his holiday clothin
also, including high crowned mario
9 trimmed hat which has in latter day
S been termed plug"
Pinkey gazed on the blue sky, Il
r light fleecy clouds, the leaves of Il
D trees now assuming a golden hue, an
followed the birds in their flight,
t listened to their gladstone songs, viii
e her practical father gazed about on Il
n fields, and inspected the fences, barr
and houses, making various criticism
It on the same.
The spirited horses went down Il
o road at "a good round trot, and clou,
g adjust rose in the rear of the WACO