The emigrant aid journal of Minnesota. [volume] (Nininger City, Minn. Terr. [i.e. Minn.]) 1856-1858, 1857-09-12
CHAPTER x.

Zen years after the events we have related had trans
pired, IN consequence of some misundc rstandings which
had arisen between the Indian government and the schah
Of Persia, it was deemed necessary that some individual
qualified for the purpose, should proceed to Teheran,
then the residence of the Persian court, to make, if pos
sible, a satisfactory adjustment of the difficulties that
threatened to interrupt the harmony Of the two govern
ments.
In the opinion of the Marquis of Wellesley, then
governor of the immense British possessions in the cast,
there was no person who would execute this important
trust so well as Major General Evcrington-for to that
rank he had riseu-and a young lieutenant in the Indian
army was selected to convey to him the news of his APP
pointment. To this honorable commission of the Gen
erals was added the privilege of visiting England, Ga
pleasure he had so long wished, but which the disturbed
state of the Indian affairs had hitherto rendered mex
pedent) after the accomplishment of his commission to
Teheran.
1t was on a warm afternoon that the bearer Of the
dispatches, Lieutenant McAuly, approached Agra, and
entered that once large and opulent city; he proceeded
without delay to the mansion Of General Eyerington.
A high wall of stone surrounded the extensive pile, and
when admitted within the ample portals, none but those
who have witnessed the beauty Of an Indian pleasure
ground, when in its rich freshness, can have an idea of
the enchanting nature of the place. The white bios
SONS of the pomegranate and the crimson lily Of the
citron, the clustering richness of the tg trees, and the
beautiful green of the broad leaved palm-the golden
orange and the delicious mango, were all there, and
united to form Il whole, Of which the inhabitant of the
frigld north can form but an imperfect estimate. The
thicket Of acacias, myrtle and roses, which bordercd the
walks, lent their charms and their fragrance to make the
place an earthly paradise. Through the avenues of palm
could be seen the broad Ganges, with the blue lotus
dancing on its bright waters the Indian pheasant and
the bird OF paradise displayed their beautiful plumage
on the overhanging branches.
Young McAuly was ushered into a splendid suite of
rooms; and on inquiring for General ltverington, was
told by the servant. in waiting that his master was out,
but would soon return.
So fascinating, however, was the beauties of nature
without, and SO delightful was the scenery around, that
McAuly was unwilling to exchange them for carpets and
mirrors, though of the most splendid kind and having
drank a glass of shcrbet, told his servant he would walk
until the general returned. Taking his course down one
of the walks which led beneath the trees we have mcn-
toned, he foil 'wed it through several turnines and wind
mgs, until it suddenly opened upon a little green fiat,
over which hung some huge p%alm-tree branches and in
the centre of which a fountain threw up its column of
pure water, that, falling into a deep marble basin, pour
ed over its margin in a thin and sparkling sheet, to fail
into the pebble covered channel, in which it pursued its
murmuring course to the river.
The refreshing GOODNESS of the spot-the dash of the
tountaln-thc beauty of some roses that hung over the
margin OF the basin, and dipped their petals in the flood,
attracted the notice of the young lieutenant, and he was
advancing to it, when the sweet tones of a woman S
voice, and the lively, laughing prattle of children, ar
rested his steps. lie turned his head, and saw at one
side of the fiat, under a bower of woven woodbines and
wild roses, the general, reclining on a sofa-near him,
on another, was a beautiful woman, and before them on
the smooth, green turf, two lovely girls were f~rolicking,
in all the unrestrained gaiety of childhood and innocence.
The general had been reading a book which he still held
in his hand, but he had closed it to witness, with a pa
rents fondness, the happiness of the charming girls,
and enjoy the look of affectionate ~exultation which he
read as his glance met the eyes of his beautiful wife
At that moment the youngest of the girls noticed
McAuly, and running to her father, threw her arms
around his neck =
Pa said she in a harried voice AN officer has
come to meet us may l go and meet him.