West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1878-06-01
A STRANGE STORY.
ny AN ENGLISH OFFICER.


was stationed at Agra during the
Cabal disaster in lS4l, one of a mere
handful of British troops, left in charge
OF the wives, sisters and daughters of
the actors in that most unhappy expe-
dition. And weary, heartbreaking
time it was. The Lieutenant G vernon,
who had prayed and besought the Cal
cutta authorities not t. risk the adven-
ture, had the worst forebodings for its
fate; and although he did all an able.
kindly and well-mannered man could do
TO maintain the spirits of the circle,
those who knew him could read too well
what his fears were. Words could not
describe indeed it is painful for me
even now 10 reCall-the dreary wretched-
ness of that fatal month, during which
no tidings came of the devoted army.
Evening after evening saw the roads
crowded by anxious women, sitting
there for hours that they might hear the
first news of these who were dear TO
them, and evening after evening saw
them return in despair. And when at
last the news came that the sole survivor
had staggered. half alive, back to his
countrymen, with the tidings of the
great disaster, the wall which assembled
from those heart broken creatures /
shall never while | live forget.
There had been a captain in one of
the native regiments, an old acauaint-
ance of mine, of the name of Donnelly
Jerry Donnelly, as he was called by
every one. He was careful to explain
to all his friends that his name was
Jerome, and not Jeremiah, although
why he so unduly preferred the saint 10
the prophet | never III derstood. Jerry
Donnelly, however, he was, and as
STRANGE and eccentric a creature rs ever
breathed.
he was a very goodlooking fellow
and tirst-rate officer, but careless,
rollicking, half-insane madcap of q man,
with an amazing flow of spirits, little
education or culture, q great, almost
miraculous talent for languages, with a
soft heart and an easy temper. il was
impossible to make him angry; and in
all circumstances, however unpleasant,
he maintained placid serenity, which
seemed to imply that he was on intimate
terms with Fortune, and knew the very
worst she could do.
Among the other tricks which the
tickle goddess had played him was that
she had married him. Why he ever
married as he did no one could imagine
The lady was neither handsome, clever
nor rich. She was simply passable as to
looks, with the liveliness OF good health
and yOuth-a quality not unapt to de-
velop itself in a vivacity of tenn per when
those other attributes disappear. But,
On some impulse, Jerry Donnelly had
asked her the mOmentous question, and
had been favOrably answered
most uncomfortable couple thew
were. Jerry, from the very first, neg
lected her not Intentionally, j believe,
but simply because for the moment he
forgot her existence. IL never seemed
TO him necessary TO alter his former
bachelor round in any respect; and as
the lady had no notion of being neg
l,cted, she resented his Indifference, and
chalked out a line for herself. 1t may
be easily supposed that the one was not
adverse TO brandy and water, or the
other to gossip and filtration. They
never quarreled outwardly, but were
hardly ever together
80 stood the domestic circle. IL sucb IL
could be called, of Captain DonnelIv
when he was ordered on General
Elphinst0ne's expedition. His wife
would fain have remained at Calcutta.
but as all the wives were going to Agra.
she Tor very shame was Obliged To gn
there also. On the first Tumors of the
disaster she was very indiherent-said
she was sure Jerry would turn up st the
most inconvepient time, and that If he
was happy, she was. When. however
the tidings were confirmed. and il was
certain that Jerry had perished with his
comrades, a great change came over her
She shut herself up for months. saw no
one, and went nowhere. And when at
the end of nearly n year she began
once more 70 look 1T the world, she was
grave, thoughtful softened woman.
She went up 10 Calcutta after that. and
never saw her again until I came home
on furlOugh in 1847. She was then liy
ing in pretty place in SOmersetshire
and was known as Mrs. COurtnav. OF
Branley Hall
met her accidentally, but she wa,
very glad to see me, and explained tc
me what / had not heard, that when
she had arrived at Calcutta she found
that poor Jerry had, four months before
be lett Agra, succeeded to this place OF
BTaniey Hall by the death OF a distant
relation. He had previously made ,
will, leaving her all his worldly goods
then slender enough, 30 that i'm the END
this fine estate had come to her. and !
new name with it. She asked nae te
come down and see her, which I aid
and learned more Of her history.
Sorrow and prOsperitygreatly changed
her for the better. Even her looks haC
improved, and she was pleasant
thoughtful, agreeable woman. She haC
remained four years in Calcutta before
she returned, but at once assumed tn,
name OF COurtnay, which was cOndi
uon ON which the bequest was made
You know Colonel Hsstincru
could not have lost the estate for wbat
would poor Jerry have said when h,
came back p'
| LhnmnhA Ill. ..--------.-r