The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-07-24

OdSV Vi SuNA NloOONOlJ w OuCO L4OlS kO
into voluntary exile.
A man came out of the woods and
stood in the road few rods in advance
of the horses. He was burly fellow,
strong, heavy-set, with dark tangled
hair and short beard. A face that in
Dictated long exposure to wind and
weather, also that the possessor of it
was addicted to strong drink He was
dressed in rough garb, half farmer
and half tramp. His pantaloons were
patched on the knees, and his weather.
beaten hat had hole in the crown.
He was certainly not very progresses
ing in his appearance, and a character
no one would care to meet in a lonely
forest road.
Walter trembled in spite of himself.
Although there was nothing apparently
hostile about the man, he dreaded
meeting him. The meeting could not
be averted, for the stranger coolly
folded his arms on his breast and
waited till the team came up. There
was a grin on the strangers face which
he intended for an assuring smile.
"Good mornin',n said the strange
man, his grin deepening as the team
halted opposite him.
Good morning, sir" returned
Walter.
pleasant day fur teamin'r'
"Very good, sir" said Walter.
"YOu work for Mr.. Miles, l guessP"
eyes, sir"
eyer names Walter Brownfield?n
eyes, sir, and as you know mine,
will you be so kind as to inform me
what yours is?"
81 am Bill Martin, an l work for
Jack Hawkins, who lives on the farrn
iinin' with Mr.. Miles on the road to
Bushville."
81 am glad to get acquainted with
you, Mr.. Martini said Walter, "but
you must excuse me now as my time is
not my own; l must be going"
Hold; don't be in a hurry, Walter, y
said Bill, extending one hand toward
the bit of the horse nearest him, "thelr
animals is tired, so We better let 'em
blow or old Miles II cuss a streak "
Walter, who was in the act of start
ing up the team, paused and gazed il
wonder at the man. Bill, with tina
strange GRIN on his face, said:
Eye come from Queenstown, didn'
YEP"
"Y-yes," stammered the youth, turn
ing pale and trembling.
Didn't you used to clerk for Brew
ster." For a moment Walter wa
wholly unable to answer, but at lengtI
stammered.
Ill did"
Il thought you was the same 'un,
and the grin deepened on Bills face.
An awkward silence followed, Waite
looked helpless, as though he woul
fall from the wagon, and Bill Martil
gazed on him as bird of prey nigh
gaze on a victim in easy reach. A
length Walter determining to know
the worst, summoned up all his resC
luton and asked:
I "Are you an oiBecfa"
Bill shook his head.
"a detective thenP If so, there is n
need of quizzing me. If the law want
me at Queenstown am ready to 60.
Bill laughed a loud, coarse laugh
"Do l look like an officer, or a deteC
tivoP Ha! ha! ha! Well that's a goo
'un. -
"Then, sir, be so kind as to explai
yourself said Walter, with no littl
confusion.
"Tll do it, youngster," said Bill, AZ
preaching contidentially near til
! youth, and laying the fore finger {
his right hand in the palm of his lef
he spoke in low tones, while his lie
foot rested on the hub of the WACO
wheel "You see Walter l am NJ
the man to squeal on fellow VIII
gets in trouble an has to leave i
t town or country on account of it; bl
I'd rather take EN- by the hand an
help EN- along"
81 do not understand you yet" col
tinued Walter.
"Well, then" said Bill, "I'll be
q plain as | can; but you must give n
: time. You know you used to live
l. Queenstown?'
. Il did,
r "And ye clerked in Joe Brewster
S store?'
/ eyes, sir, did"
r 1t required all his frmness to answ
that question
e "Wen, only few weeks ago mon,
IS was missin' from the drawer
Q Such was evidently the case, '"sa
IT Walter, hotly, "but | still declare, n
d innocence as l did then; the accus
!, ton against me was wrong, | swear
, and why l should be hunted al
o haunted with a crime never comm
ted
is Hold on, youngster," interrupt
/ Bill. II am not a huntin', nor haunt
a We about it, but Jest mention this mi
q ter, We know, to prove that know J
s Ye see I'm from Queenstown myse
a and heerd all about this, but We /
I'm not the fellow to give a pal avs
4 When l sees young man in misfortur
a | think it my place to take him by t
" hand an help him up an not give h
!. kick
n al have been very unjustly accused
Is said Walter, with a downcast loo
- "Thev failed to make a case of emb