The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-03-04
Select Story.
THE MAJORS GHOST.


1t was the twelfth annual dinner of the
club, and the Colonel, the Major, the
Captain were seated around q table
loaded with wine and fruit. We were
the remainder of the club, which origin
ally contained all the officers of our regi-
ment who had survived the war. At
first there were fifteen of us, but the
hardships and wounds of these four bit
ter years had taken the Others away.
Every year there was one plate less. and
we began to look on our final dissolution.
But we four had met the previous year
and gladly drained glass to the discom-
fort of the broken spell.
1t had not been our fate to have the
fame of victory Without toll, for ours
had been fighting regiment. Dangers
shared together had strengthened the
bond of friendship, and these yearly
meetings were rich IN stories of old
times stories of daring, or of the kind
ness of some who had gone to eternal
rest. None of us were old men. The
Colonel was Just 40, the Major was 80
and the Captain was 33 and six years
his Junior. We were all married except
the Major, and it was q wonder to us
that he was not married, for the Major
was Just the man who could have made
a good and true womans life bright and
joyous.
Handsome, brave, generous,a delight
full talker, an author of no common mer
it, and possessed of a fortune ample
anough to make the worlds comforts
end luxures accessible, the Major was
much sought in society and was ever
ready to respond to the call. But
while attentive to all women with whom
he was thrown in contact, he was noted
for the impartiality with which he be
slowed these attentions. We knew that
he could easily carry off desirable prize
but he never made the attempt.
AS our knowledge of his character hai
shown us his chivalrous devotion tt
women, and as we knew that during oul
acquaintance he had never had pref
erence for any special one, we were puz
zled to know why this was so. We hat
made him the point of subtle attacks re
| garding the matter, but the Major wa
a. good strategist, and he turned th'
flank of every forward movement we ass
ayed in this direction, diverting our tall
into other chanels, until at last we hat
dropped the matter as one that nigh
touch on a sorrow of which we knew
nothing. The talk had been lively al
through the evening, centreing abou
"reminiscences of jovial times during
raid we had made, which had been pro
life of amusing adventure
The Major had shown at his best
and we had listened to his numerous nal
rative with keen delight. So the Dime
had passed and the desert was before IL
the servants had been dismissed and ci
gars were lit. Then one of those unac
countable silences that come to such as
semblages fell upon us, and we puffe'
away at our cigars and said nothing
until the stiffness grew strangely Weir
and powerful.
suddenly the Major stopped smoak
ing and, looking at each of us in tur>
said, "You have often wondered why
am not married, and now l will tel
you"
| st is long story, but it may be o
interest to you, and as we are all that i
left l have thought that the secret shoul'
be between us.
"When the war came had just grad
uated from the college, and, as yo1
know, enlisted as private. 1t was II,
easy matter for me to do this, but
felt it to be my duty, Twas young, ,stron!
and able to fight. | had means to max
the life of s. soldier as comfortable as
could be made, and, while my mind Ion
ged for literary and peaceful scenes,
still felt that | owed my country duty
1t was but short time after / enliste,
when we were ordered South. The regi
ment, as you know, had hard work an
plenty of it, but my part was as well re
warded as | could wish, for | was 500
advanced to the command of my con
pany.
"You remember the time when W
went South of the Rappahannock, an
were quartered in this queer little vi
lage, where even though we were foes
the people treated us so kindly? Yo
must also remember the large hous
back of the village, the one that crowne
the hill on whose sides were so man
orchards Well, | had been but day i
= the village when | found out 1t was tn
native place of Harry Wayne, my co
lege chum,and also, that house on the hi
was his home.
"For few days refrained from cal
ing, thinking that my uniform my /
i
, distasteful to llarrys mother and sister
;, for he had gone with his State and W.
= an officer in Lees army. At last my d.
e sire to know something of my old frien
: grew too strong to be kept down /
such soruples,an one afternoon | wake
, to the house, and, passing up the broa
5 carriageway running from the road
g the door, went slowly up the steps lea,
h ing to the pleasant and shady verand
z and just as l was about sounding Il
massive old-fashioned knocker the do,
was thrown open and young and bea
tfpl woman stood before me. The laug
@ that had been q moment before ripplin
y from her lips ceased and she startt
a back with slight gesture of alarm, bl
d my dotted cap and peaceful attitude i
assured her and she stood waiting"
. SIS Mrs. Wayne In ?" / asked.
. "My mother is at home, who shall
= say desires to see herr
y "Charles Talbot, classmate of n
n son, and at present with his regimeI
quartered in the village