The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-08-27

'Why, what could have induced you to
think soo"
81 saw him, Colouel Hastings. 1t was in
your old bungalow in Calcutta, about two
years after 1 had gone back Late in the
evening l heard strange footstep outside
which greatly effected me. 1 was lying half
asleep, and, starting up in a Growsy state, /
heard voice at the veranda, and, as tho't,
inquiring of my stupid old servant whether
/ lived there. The steps then turned away.
! started to the easement, and although the
figure was clad in the most extraordinary
compound of European and AsiatIc garments.
l am sure it was Jerry. Idarted downstairs
and rushed out, but the man had disappear
ed. The servant said he was bad fakirand
wished to get into the bungalow, but could
tell me nothing of what he had said But
am quite sure it was Jerry. So l think he
will come back but you remember he never
was punctual,' she added with faint smile.
/ did not say that if Jerry was alive she
must have heard of him in some other way,
but took leave of her and shortly afterward
returned to India
In 1854 | was appointed to an embassy to
Nepaul, a very striking country, governed by
or viZier of the country met us, as is their
fashion, outside the capital, and we had a
courteous and gratifying reception. lie was
a tall, handsome man, with flowing black
beard, and cOnversed with me in Persian,
which l spoke fuently After our interview,
one of the attendants Informed me that the
vizier wished to see me alone, and he accord
ingly conducted me to an inner apartment
Ordering the attendants to withdraw, the
vizier exclaimed in tones only too familiar to
me:
''Well, Hastings, my boy, how goes on the
Plungers 30
1t was Jerry Donnelly by all that was mi
raculOus l had observed him staring earn
estly at me during the interview, and some
thing in his gestures seemed not unfamiliar
to me, but his flowing beard, solemn manner,
and oriental dress so much disguised him,
that even when heard the well remembered
voice l could scarcely realize his identity.
''But what on earth are you doing here,
Jerry?" said "wIy don't YOU 90 home tc
your wife, like Christian" ?"
My wife-well, that's the whole affair.
You see, she's somebody else's wife. 1 am
better out OF the way it would be pity that
poor Sophy would commit bigamy."
81 assure you that you are entirely mista-
ken. Mrs. Donnelly has not married again?'
Hasn't she, though 20 said he. Don't
know better? Didn't 1 go back to my own
bungalow and find out that she had married
that starched fool, Courtney, when she knew
could never endure him 90
To his intense astOnishment, l told him
how the truth was, and in return he told me
his own adventures lie had been carried
into Tartary and there detained for three
years, when he was allowed to accompany a
caravan or body of pilgrims to Nepaul. Be
ing by that time proficient in the language
he was taken notice Of at court, but very
strictly watched. lie effected his escape
however, disguised as a fakir and made his
way to Calcutta, but finding as he thought
his wife married again to man in his old
regiment, he had returned, was taken int
favor, and had risen to his presens Gistinc
ton.
''WeIl, l always was a laundering fool, but
| went home with heart so soft to Sophy
and vowing that l never would yeX her any
more with my vagaries, that when | heard
her called Mrs. Courtney 1 was turned t.
stone and did not care rap what became o.
me, even to being made a vizier, which | as
sure you, Charley, is no joke"
''Wen, at all events, you must go home nov
and enjoy Your good fortune"
81 am not sure about that" said he. ''Be
collect, she has grown accustomed to be mis-
treSS, / have grown accustomed to be vizieT
She won't like to be contradicted, and it's
thing l can't bear and what never allow oI
any account. Now, if l went home, sh,
would not be mistress, and rs sure rs fate
she would contradict me. Maybe it is bette
as it is"
The next morning he sent for me again.
81 have been thinking" said he, ''of tn,
strange story You told me, and am all change,
/ since we parted. | hardly know myself Il
/ be the same man that ] used to be, and an
not sure that l would treat Sopby well. Bu
ask her to come out here, and then she cal
try. If she likes me in this outlandish plac,
no one will be the wiser, and l can continu,
to be dead
"But," said /, ''have you no incumbrance
/ Perhaps she might object to the details o
your establishment"
"Not a bit," said Jerry 81 have none o
/ your eastern prejudices; let her come ant
she will find no one to disturb her.
| So she did come, and, after living in Ne
paul two years, took Jerry back in triumph
: to Branley Hall and such is the true version
/ of tale which made some noise i'm the news
/ papers a few years ago.