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

Fnlcn StOOu upon SlgnI elevation,
fifty rods or more from the broad, hard
beaten road, was pointed to with pride
by the other farmers of the neighbor-
hood, and every portly dame in the
valley regarded it as the highest honor
to ''take her kitten" and spend the
day with Mrs. Miles.
The farmhouse was surrounded by
stately elms, maple and oak. The barn
lots and barn attachments to the same,
and the vast fields lying beyond filled
with ripening corn stretching away for
two miles, indicated wealth and COM
fort.
1t was to this thrifty farmer Walter
Brownfeld, with pale face, dust-cov-
cred, worn-out and disheartened APP
piled for work. Day after day had he
tramped from house to house seeking
employment, to be turned aside with
the assurance that no hands were
wanted.
He did not understand that his white
face and soft hands were the chief
cause of his being turned away What
spare change he had was spent in pay
ing lodging bills, and the last night he
had been compelled to sleep in a barn.
No wonder his pleading soul was in
his face as having waited long and
earnestly for an answer, and it coming
not. he said:
"Will you be so kind as to give me a
trial?"
The stout farmer boys who had been
attracted by the young man, stood tit
tering, as they compared his slender
form with their own muscular frames.
81 don't know" was the hesitating
answer of the farmer. "You see the
farming season is nearly over There
is ally not much to do now"
you certainly can give me work
enough to pay formy board and clothes
any way" said the anxious young APP
plicant.
The farmer took his foot down from
the chopping block, drove the axe deel
into it, then with his elbow on his knee
and his head in his hands, seemed to bt
thinking the matter over.
you say We never did much farm
work." he finally asked, shifting hi
foot, knee, hand and head, to ge
another look at the applicant.
"No, sir, never but very little"
"Where are We from?"
al came from Queenstown"
"What is your name?"
"Walter Brownfeld.
"Walter Brownfeld," repeated tn
farmer, rehectively, still keeping hi
head in his hand, in meditative man
ner, Il never heard of that name be
fore; as / am not acquainted in Queens
town it is nothing strange"
Thank Heaven" mentally ejacu
lated the tired youth, "you are not ac
quainted with either Queenstown o
my name. Why did not change it
1t would have been safer, yet coul
not live up to deception"
The farmer then Strengthened him
self up and leaning on his axe begaI
, to put what in his estimation wer
some astute cross questions.
"When did you leave Queenstown
, "About ten days ago."
"What have you been doing sinceP
Travelling about the country an
, looking for work.
: els this the first time you ever playe
I the tramp?' The question was SHARP
! ly put, and made the cheeks of tn
( young man Jingle with shame.
Poverty and hunger had subdued,
| "a great extent, his once proud spir
r that few weeks ago would not hay
borne such an insult. In a tone bot
sad and truthful, he answered:
/, Eyes, sir, it is"
e "What business have you been Ell
: gagged in, in Queenstown"
b This question made the young man
. heart leap.
+, He had both expected and dreaded
from the beginning.
l.. Looking the farmer in the face, /
) answered without the slightest hesit
= ton.
81 was clerk, sir"
n "In whatPo
~ "a store
o "What klndp'
d General retail dry-goods store"
g "Why did you quit itPn
81 suddenly found myself throw
Y out of employment by busine
k change in the firm.
d This answer was all truth, yet Wa
a ter felt that he was telling a falsehoC
r in keeping back a part
" "Why did you not seek employing
= in some other store; there are plenty
.e them in Queenstown"
.e There are" admitted the yout
/ "and applied to all, but they did n
d want clerks. Times are hard on me
o. chants, and at last l resolved to 90
d the country and seek labor on a farI
need the exercise, and don't feel m
+. self above work.
t. The last expression pleased the pra
ID teal farmer, who held in contempt t
e, man or boy who summed manual to
That is sensible, young man, anC
a believe that in spite of your soft VIII
lie hands you will succeed. We have n
N much to do for which it is necessa