The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-08-14
ALONE IN THE WORLD.
Philips Dream-NO Life So Desolate and
Lonely as a Selfish One.

Philips Dream-NO Life So Desolate and |
Lonely as Selfish One.
"All alone-yes, wish was all |
alone in the world; then [ could have
every thing my own way. It's pro.
voking to have to share all the good |
things with Beth and the boys"
Philip Fay, with his hands in his
pockets and his eyes cast sullenly
down, scufTed along through the dust,
till turning off from the road he en-
tered the shade OF the woods. Throw
ing himself down at the foot of large
oak he looked through the softly wav-
ing foliage up to the white house on
the hillside, almost hidden among the
trees. His mother and sister were at
the gate, and old Prince and the bug
gy waited just outside. Philip did not
wish to sec or to be seen when his
mother should drive by, or to hear if
she should call, so he stretched himself
out on the soft green moss and placed
his hat over his eyes and covered his
ears with his hands.
Iwanted to 90 to the city this after
noon, and it's mean in Beth not to give
up" he muttered.
Philip lay long time, brooding over
his disappointment and cherishing I'M
kind, selfish thoughts toward his dearest
friends. At length it appeared to him
that Prince must be far away toward
tho city, and he thought he would re-
turn to the house.
The Summer sunshine streamed in at
the open doors and windows, bur none
of the family were to be seen, and
neither of his brothers answered his
whistle. Sauntering out of the house
again, he was more astonished than he
could express to find Prince and the
buggy waiting by the gate. Yielding
20 II sudden impulse, he sprang into
the carriage, whipped up the horse
and dashed off toward the city.
"Ill pay Beth off for trying to cheat
me out of a good time, and I'll go to
the menagerie in the bargain"
On through the fragrant woods,
down the long hill, past the black
smiths, by pleasant orchards and bril-
liant gardens, Prince was hurried on.
Never before had Philip urged the old
horse so impatienty. He thought of
nothing but his great desire to reach
the city, and have a good time all by
himself. Now he had reached the long
covered bridge, part of the ride that
was usually delight to him. He liked
to hear the sound of the horse hoof
on the plank driveway, and to catch
glimpseS of the river below through
the small square openings in the side,
which, at regular intervals, admitted
light. To-day he scarcely thought of
these things, although it did seem to
him tritie odd that the Jolly old toll
man was not in his accustomed place
in the doorway of the little house at
the city end of the bridge.
But Philip was now in the midst of
the scenes he had longed tor. He no.
tlced with surprise that the ball grounds
we're quite deserted, but as he pro-
,eeded on his way he was still more
aStonished. The store doors stood
wide open, but not a customer was Wis
ble. Neither could Philip discern a
single clerk behind any of the counters
He gazed up and down the streets, but
not solitary person could he see.
What was the meaning of this unusual
state of thingsP
After seeing that Prince was well
cared for, Philip walked leisure'y into
confectioner's. Nor was any one
here. But, promising himself that he
would pay when he should find the
proprietor, he helped himself literally
to the tempting sweets. Then he sci
off for the menagerie, wondering if the
entire population had gone to the
show.
= Arrived at the grounds, no one de
manded an admission fee; and, enter
ing, Philips eyes beheld lions, tigers
slephants-all the marvellous things hi
| had read about-but there was not
2 human being any where around. HI
began to feel little strange, and hal
: wished he had brought one of hi
: brothers, or even Beth, with him. /
, was not such great fun, after all, b
4 see the wonders all by himself. H
: wanted some one to talk it all owe
0 with.
7 The afternoon wore away, and PhiliI
n suddenly realized that it was past sup
9 per time. Still no person had aT
d peared. He had seen the wonderfr
t sights; he had looked into every moo
+ and corner. with no One to hinder
4 nothing had escaped his notice. H
= tnou2ht he should have a or ut stor
d 20 tell about his being the only spec
IS tator. bu: somehow he felt decide,l
n VI comfortable.
"Tu 20 up to Aunt Fannie's, an