The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-12-18
BER CHINA "CRAZE."
Was Kate Lost 10 Gain a Superb
Pitcher.

1t does have grand air about it,
that great blue and white pitcher, with
its double twisted handle and its vivid
ultamarine Chinese landscapes and odd
scattered figures II is of a stately
height and shape, and it has a cover.
The cover is one of its special charms,
for the knob is hIdeous little grinning
blue lion with a curved tail. Nobody
knows how old the pitcher is, but Mad
anne Burrill says she will warrant it
hundred and fifty, for her great-aunt
gave it to her forty years ago, and she
sad the lady who gave it to her had it
from her grandmother. If it were my
own pitcher would never part with it;
but | would not pay the price to get it
that my cousin Kate did.
Somehow, somewhere, the "china
craze seized Kate without my know
ing it. The width of our little old town
lies between our homes, and we do not
meet daily. | really had supposed that
KensingtOn EN- jroidery, her mandolin
lessons, and her lovers filed Hates
heart completely last winter. There
was a rumor about George Cathcart,
and it surely seemed as if there might be
something in it. Every body said what
magnificent couple they would make,
she with her beauty and dignity, and he
with his manliness and wealth. l had
even gone so far as to wonder whether
an especially elaborate lambrequin that
was making might not do for a we'd
ding present.
But one day Kate and were out call
ing together, and as we were passing a
dingy. weather-beaten old house, she
said, suddenly: "Let us call on Madame
Burrill.
] agreed for had not been there for
a year and we all think it a sort of duty
to visit Madame Burr II now and then.
So we went in, and found the old lady
as usual sitting in her highbacked rock
ing-chair. her complexion still with a
pretty touch of pink in it, though she is
n nety-three years old, if she is a day.
AT the table sat her daughter Janet
sewing for dear life on somebody polo
naise; for the Burrils are quite reduced
now, as every body knows, and jane
has to earn all the bread and butter they
get. We had not been there three min
utes before Kate began to be enthuS as
tic about the old-fashioned corner cup
board, and that led Miss Janet to get ur
and open it, upon which Hates eXclam
alton of del CHIT acted almost like the
music of OrpheuS, and drew from the
shelves to the table first a plate, anC
then a tea-caddy. and then cups anC
saucers, the best of which were thir
ancient Chinese china, and the common
est were scalloped b.ue and VIII te, the
old primrose pattern.
saw Kato's eyes grow greedy
Would YOU sell me Just one or two o
lAcmp' she asked of Miss Janet for sht
knew how poor they were.
Miss Janet pursed her lips and shool
her head. "Sbe won't sell even one,
she said, in an undertone, nodding to
ward her mothers chair. The old lad
turned herself a little to watch us, am
fancy the pink in her faded cheek
kindled little more.
This plate said Kate, lifting
flowor-beSprent one, VIII CHI hal blusl
tint in the white, and which you coul
fairly see the light through.
Mother refused ten dollars for tina
plate from a man who called here,
said Miss Janet, in an indifferent tone
as one who recites some fact in ancier
history.
But yoa}" insinuated Kate, with
glance at the toil-worn fingers.
They amt mine yet" said Mis-
Janet, grimly, as she waxed threa
and resumed her sewing.
Kate flattered and coaxed in vaiT
When she begged for only one priu
rose cup, the old lady leaned forwar
and said; "Why, we drink out {
them"-ss if what Kate would pa
wouldn't more than buy a whole set
common ware. There was what locke
to me like a CLEAN of malicious plea,
ure in old Madame Burrill's eyes. Sb
liked to tantalize. That is Just the wa
she treats her own daughter, who
over sixty herself. Poor Miss Jan,
scarcely ever leaves her; but once 81
did want to 60 out to spend the afte
noon with some friends, and h
mother opposed it. At last she said:
every well, Janet you may go, b
you may find me dead in my cha