Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-11-05
LETTERS FROM THE OLD WORLD,
BY MISS JENNIE A. NELSON,
DEHRA Doom, NORTHERN INDIA,
MAY a. 1872.


May "a, 1872
| must tell you something Of the Regiment
that guards our Doom" They are brave
band of Natives, who remained loyal during the
Mutiny, and fought with great bravery at Delhi
and other places. They are called "Goorkhas,"
and they were formerly tribe of warriors in
Thibet. They are short, stout, aud about the
color OF our Indians. They returned not long
since from an expedition against the Looshai
tribes, who had been committing depreda dations
upon some English settlements In the vicinity
OF Burmah One Regiment was sent TO recoy-
er little girl by the name of Mary Winches-
ter. who had been carried off by the Looshais.
They found her living like Queen, and quite
pet among the tribe On the return of the
Goorkhas the citizens of Dehra met them ''en-
masse" at triumphal arch, which had been
prepared for the occasion, with the words paint
ed in large letters on the arch
''YE GUARDIANS OF THE doom, WELCOME
HoME!"
The Bazars were nicely swept, the shops
trimmed with plantan and marigold, the IA
vorite flower of the natives On our Mission
Boys School House We had the British I'm
ion Jack" and the Star-Spangicd Banner cross
ing each other. Mr.. Woodside and / sat up
until one o clock the night before, to make the
American flag, as the only one we had was too
small. My heart swelled with pride as I saw
it floating in the Indian breeze. | hope these
two great Protestant nations may be as firmly
united as were these their representatives.
| have not gone very deeply i1to the plans
Of the East India Company, but from all |
have read and heard from the old residents,
things are managed better than before the
Mutiny. All look upon that as having proved
great blessing to the country, as it has taken
the Government out Of the hands of that Com
pany. The Government is firm, but at the
same time provides, every protection to the
Natives from harshness and injustice In the Of
icsrs of the Government.
1t was sad time when we heard of the as
sassination of Lord Mayo, as We did not know
to what it might lead. There Ali," the con-
vict who did it, said he began to sharpen his
knife Tor the purpose as soon as be heard the
salute fired that announced the arrival of the
Gov. General. He said be had no accomplice
but God, and that he had been chosen by him
to do it. Many of these people say their des-
tiny Is written on their fnTeheads when they
are born. They call it their 'Kisnaat." When
ever they Go anything wrong or suffer loss,
they say, "This is my Klsn,at," or fate. Pan
theism pervades all their ideas of religion.
| l should not like to be in Lord Northbrook' $
| place, for many of these think it sure pass
port to Paradise to kill European, and "There
Ali" who killed Lord Mayo. thought he had
done the most honorable deed by killing the
| highest officer in the country.
| The excitement of my journey, and the nov
city of my life here, is wearing away, and feel
| have entered upon my work in earnest. In
deed | have been compelled to be quite in ear
nest the past few weeks, as | have had the care
OF this large house. 81 girls to oversee, and
manage the School, which is small part Of
the work here. The domestic arrangements
being on the Mt Holyoke plan, the machinery
is very complicated, and requires great care te
have all the parts kept in motion, so that there
Is no friction. l expect to take some rest next
week by joining some of our friends in the
Mountains. | have not felt the heat to be op-
pressive yet Indeed have never experienced
anything more delightful than this climate, and
will never tire of writing about the wonderful
variety of beautiful and deliclously fragrant
flowers