The Republican journal., 1871-12-07
My Friend, the Major.

| Sydney Manderfield. The place was
| founded by his grandfather, who built it
in the Elizabehan style, and it was his
chief aim to combine solidity with archi-
tectural beauty. But the father of Colonel
Manderfield was an old British officer
who had seen service all over the world,
and had passed many years in Eastern
countries, so when he was called to in
herit the estate he, for the lack of some-
thing better to do, commenced making
alterations and additions to the already ca
| pacious mansion, and all he built was in
the Moorish style. His son, Colonel
Sydney Manderfield, was person of very
eccentric mind like his father, he had
served in the army, and it was not until
ne had been wounded score of times
that he went on the half-pay list, and
took up his abode at Brockhurst, which
IN due order of succession came into his
| possession. lie had a mania for altera-
tions and additions also but everything
with him was the Italian style, so in view
ing Brockhu"st in the third generation the
| eye was very much puzzled to determine
which manner of architecture prevailed
in the building. Beeches, naples, lordly
old oaks, yews and enormous sycamores
were thickly planted in the immediate
vicinity of the mansion, while through
the openings in the foliage the gilded
oupolas Of the most perfectly appointed
stables in the country met the eye.
| The hospitality of Colonel Manderfeld
was so profuse that his house always con-
tanned guests, and no more agreeable and
cultivated society could be met in Eng
land than in his house. He had the
means and disposition to indulge the
whlms and preferences of his friends to
the fullest bent, so that every person So
| lourning beneath his roof could not fail
to pass their time pleasantly.
1t was my good fortune to receive an
| invitation to visit him, and the month OF
July was the season | selected. I had
heard that the Colonel entertained very
largely, but | was not prepared to en-
counter SO many people as found there
on my arrival, and had | known the num-
Der of friends that We're dwelling with
him at the time, I should most certainly
have deferred my visit until his company
had thinned off
1t seemed to me that the Colonel had
halt the officers of the British army with
him besides ladies by the score. Colonel
Manderfleld was bachelor of about fifty
four years OF age, tall and heavily built,
with the most perfect physique that it was
possible to conceive. His head was
thickly threaded with gray but his blue
eyes We're as clear, and his constitution as
sound, as when he rode with his regiment
in his first Indian campaign.
lie was a man of fine conversational
powers, and could entertain one for hours
with the most interesting descriptions of
the countries which he had visited and
the scenes in which he had participated
During my stay with him he gave
ball, and had an opportunity of observ
ing the country gentry, and the impress
sions left on my mind are among the most
pleasing recollections of my life
Among the visitors at Brockhurst was
one Major Chiffon, comrade of Colonel
Mandertield, and like him retired from
service. He took fancy to me from the
very first, and the feeling was reciprocal
The Major was true turfman and most
ardent lover Of horsedesh AS my taste
ran in the same direction, it may have
been this fact that caused him to attach
himself to me. We spent 4 good deal Of
our time at the stables, and generally
rode together in our hunts He sat his
horse admirably, and it was no small
compliment when we drew up side by
side on the further side of deep ditch
on a hunting day to hear him say:
''BV George, You ride well; who taught
You ?"
Indeed" | replied, II can't tell you.
The school wherein learned to ride was
in old Virginia. must have been placed
on horseback very young; for to tell the
truth, | can't remember when l took my
first lesson.n
The reply pleased him, for he chuckled
and passed me his brandy-hask.
Some days afterward we were sitting
at Brockhurst, and Colonel Manderfield
and the Major were talking of old times,
when the latter suddenly placed his hand
tightly across his forehead, saying in
low, quiet tone, ''rm afraid its coming
Manderfield.'
The Colonel instantly arose, and de-
clining my assistance, conducted his guest
to his room, and sent for The servant who
always accompanied the Major, and who
had been with him for years
1t was late in the afternoon ere | saw
Colonel Manderfield again, but met him
outside the house, and taking my arm we
walked down one Of the beautifully grad
ed avenues, while he spoke as follows:
''You doubtless wonder what allied
Chiffon ?"
II hope he is not ILL.," | replied
''He'll be all right by tomorrow, ;" was
the reply. 'But these attacks sometimes
cause him to he dangerous, and it is best
that he is watched till they pass off This
is light affair, however, and there is no
trouble apprehendel Years ago when
we were serving in India, there was
circumstance which occurred to him that
,o,.lya l,1n To bal
servant, o fellow who up to the time Of
which / am speaking, was very faithful.
Chiffon believed him to be very trust
worthy, and bestowed all sorts of favors
upon him, and granted him privileges he
would not have accorded to one of his |
own men.
''One day the Major was visiting the
bungalow of brother officer, and Gunga
(for so the fellow was called) was re-
proved by his master for some trifling
misconduct, when he made use of an in
solent expression. 1t was the first time
he had been guilty Of such an act, but |
Chiffon, who was high-spirited was very
apt in those days to punish insolence on
the spot, SO he caught the offender by the |
collar and gave him a sound thrashing
with the rattan he happened to carry in |
MP i''iit. ANoliiiils5 Li'iC Nelo eloliSiit VI |
the occurrence, and after few days it |
was quite forgotten, and Gunga went
about his duties as usual. Some time
later, when Chiffon was in barracks, he
called Gunga to bring him glass of
water. 1t was not until he emptied the
tumbler that he thought the water had a
peculiar taste; he therefore questioned |
Gunga about it, but the man assured him
that the water was perfectly pure, and
Chiffon said no more about it. The next
day Gunga was missing, and was never
again seen by his master. Still the Major
had no suspicious that the rascal had done
anything wrong, but attributed his abb
sence to the fact of his desiring to visit
his people, who lived in the interior.
These fellows had a way of leaving with
out notice when they got the homesickness
on them. Well, as said, Chiffon never
imagined the scoundrel harbored a feel
ing of revenge for the Gaming he had re-
ceived; but one day he was taken i'll, and
became as crazy as March hare, when
it was discovered that Gunga had poison