The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-05-29


ing the small grove of live-oaks that
had so long shaded them. Then house
was built in the midst of this cheniere
and Baptiste Duroy moved in. There
were no neighbors near, so his advent
in that section produced no particular
flutter in social circles thereabouts.
-Four large plantation carts had con-
veyed, one bright morning, all his
household effects thither, and through
out that day there was more animation
in the little grove than it ever knew
before.
The Duroy house was quite preten-
tious for such an outlying portion of
the city, and its broad galleries and
long-sloping roof gave evidence of
strong taste for comfort, if not luxury,
on the part of its owner. 1t looked the
place for quietude and rest, and to one
seeking seclusion, it appeared a perfect
Mecca.
Every year brought more settlers on
the commons, and three or four dwell
ings went up short distance from the
grove. Then dairyman built large
stable on the next square, so that by
1855 the locality was well inhabited,
and on all sides could be seen the care
fully kept beds of the market gardeners.
1t was only then, after the new resi-
dents had had time to get well settled,
that they began to make inquiries about
the proprietor of the house in the grove.
No one seemed able to answer the ques-
ton as to who or what he was. All
that was known of him was that he left
the grove at half past eight
o'clock each morning and re-
turned punctuallv at four, after
which he never left his little domain.
An old negro woman took charge Of
the house, did the cooking and wash
ing, and seemed perfectly satisfied at
what she saw of the world during her
early visits to the distant French
Market. The master looked to be
thirty-fve, of handsome face, tall
figure and athletic in build. He was
quick of movement and his counte-
nance betokened the possession of an
equable disposition. Nobody could
find out what was his profession or avo-
cation. He looked the lawyer, OF sue
: cessful business man, but old Servat,
the dairyman, who had many dealings
with city merchants, said none of them
knew of Duroy.
One day it was rumored that several
drays, vehicle never before seen down
there, had stopped in front of the
Duroy place, and had left several large
bales of goods and mysterious looking
demiiohns, encased in wooden boxes,
which were deposited inside the fence,
Nine. Pete, whose son cultivated hall
square in onions; said the stuff
looked like sheeting, but as for the
contents of the big glass bottles, that
was too much for her limited knowl-
edge. Then it was noticed that the
master of the house went out less
often and remained but for short
periods of time. One week he was moi
seen to leave the grove at all Then
l he became regular again in his absence
| Those living nearest noticed about this
time that lights were left burning in
the Duroy house until very late a.
night, and passers asserted that they
E could hear a sound similar to that pro
9 duced by sewing machines in motion
a long after midnight. At the grocery
h store these things became the every
day subject of conversation, and fire
> quently the negro woman who was Du
u roy's housekeeper was intercepted OF
e her way to market, but she confessed
c to an utter ignorance of any thing per
: tanning to her young master. He wa
q good and kind to her; that was all sht
knew more than that she neve
. bothered her head about.
: Some time in August a sprightly lit
g tie gentleman was seen frequently en-
S tering the house. He called usually il
. the afternoon. and remained until late
- His dress was of exquisite cut, and hi
u twisted mOustache and excess of ges
= ticulation led to the belief that he wa
k a native of France. From the side
It walk he could be seen engaged in dec
! conversation with M. Duroy on tn
g front gallery. He seemed to be eX
i planning large drawings, for hangin
d before him on the side of the hous
1t were large plans, of what characte
f. outsiders could not discern. One da
IS as he came out old Servat met him
d and the next day it was solemnly an
d nounced that the visitor to the Duro
it residence was none other than NJ. Goo
Ic dard, the great aeronaut, who was the
% delighting New Orleans with his Sur
le day ascensions in his great balloonfrol
IL Congo square. Gossip ran riot owe
d this discovery, and even the most says
n cious could not understand the int
t. macy that had so lately grown up b
s. tween Duroy and this singular nav
ut gator of the air. 1t was gravely hinte
i'd by some that Duroy was ga lit
D. touched here" and the speaker woul
" place his forefnger gravely on h
lg temple and shake his head.
e. Whatever may have been the ment
s, condition of NJ. Duroy at this tim
certain it was that Goddard showed 1
a such symptom himself. The publ
ne square was thronged each Sunday
MS see him off in the great air-sh
er North America" and as the DARN
~ | aenorIoJ bn o6oo,., o,I n,