The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-01-16


One day General Jack had visitor, q
man of forty years, with grizzled hair
and stoop in his shoulders-a pallid
face, somewhat bloated from long in
diligence in liquors.
'You don't know me, General Jackw
said the man.
The General was puzzled good deal.
"Hombre, I've seen you somewhere.
Stop-I have it. Good Lord, Cary,
what have you done to YOURSELF"
ats fifteen years ago, General, said
Cary, apologetically.
"Only fifteen! POUNDS! You were
handsome young fellow then; thought
you were genius. And your wife was
lovely"
Don't mention the past she's
wreck-six children to care for; and l
am-what you see. / want you to do
something for me before the black dog
devours me"
"Hombre, its the drink that does il"
II want you to save me from the
drink, General"
This man" (the General says, when
he tells story)-this man, Mark Cary,
was what you might truly call one of
these here geniuses. When l knowed
him, and loved him, too, as everybody
had to do, he was editing neat little
paper in Virginia town, and happy as
June bug. One of your Apollos-tall,
square, step like spring-board, blue
eyes full of fire, Hyperion curls Ikea
man, every inch. The things he couldn't
do with the dumb bells weren'tworth try
ing he could beat my best man at square
leap; sat a horse like Center or a
Comanchy, and put pen in his hand,
or call on him for a speech, and, by
POUNDS, you couldn' mate him nowhere.
used to get him to write my bills and
advertisements for me; he'd been treas
ure in that line if he'd only taken wages.
AS for poetry-well, I'm no judge, but
if he couldn't pump all these here CEN
tenniallers, I'm Dutch! His wife was
just the sweetest little lady ever you see,
and could pour out tea like an angel.
And now here he was gone to seed.
"How come it, CaryP"
1t was the war, poverty, sickness,
long struggles in adversely, long lassi-
tude and loss of spirits, chagrin-all
that turned in.
81 think I'm gone, General, but Mar
garet won't hear word of it. She
told me to come to see you and ask
you to help me-"
"Where is the little woman, MarkP"
He named wretched tenement
house. General Jack drummed on the
table with his fat fingers moment.
"Not in want, hope, CaryP" said he,
at last.
''Not quite, General; but the times
are hard; can't get away, and there's
no telling how long it will be before that
comes, too"
Come, let's go and see her." said
the General, and Cary, without word
led the way to his poor lodgings.
The General does not say much about
the interview that ensued, but l know
from other sources that the wife ant
children had good supper that night
Come to my office-down town
here's the number-to-morrow at two
Mark, and I'll talk with you. Madam
I'll see you again." and the Genera
withdrew.
"See here, Mark" said the Genera
next day, 'you're broke down. TIL
little woman can't do anything with you
and your own backbone's turned to in
jun-rubber. You ant worth rapr'
"That is just about the conclusion
am coming to myself, General" SAT-
Cary, with pathetic sincerity.
II know better!'' cried Jack, vehe
mently pounding the table with hi
fist; 81 mean to take you in hand now
and make man of your
Il wish to heaven you would" erie
Cary.
Il mean to! You're she very fellov
I've been looking for this year or more
YOU'RE honest and capable-you kno,
all about geology, mineralogy and tina
sort of thing, don't you? If you don
you can learn. Stop! Listen! Yo
are up to my diamond passion; vel
there's where 1 want you! l want
man, an honest man, capable man, I
go to South Africa for me and find m
the biggest diamond there-a dozen {
them if you're so minded! Will you GO
Stop! I'll take care of the little woma
if you do, and provide for her if you don
come back. The sea voyage will Civ
you a chance to taper off, drop til
drink, build yourself up, and all tina
When you get there you'll be all rigl
again, and then you can use your brair
in finding me that diamond. I'll pa
you good wages and all you find
mine. Is it a bargainP Strike hant
on it if it is"
"If Margaret says yes, I'll go, GEL
eral. And God bless you anyhow ~
"Come home 10 lunch with me, thel
and we'll ask her-she'll likely |
: there
\ Not only she, but all the childre
were there, and in the newest Of clothe
: for Mr.. Jack had been at work, to
. and Mrs. Cary told her husband wi
A tears in her eyes 1--WE needn't s
back to that dream of horror al
). more"
& So it was all settled in very fe
: minutes Cary's family was to ha'
!, the cottage on the Generals farm al
= an ample allowance, the eldest boy al