Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1881-04-14
A Strange Story.

was stationed at Agra during the Cabu
disaster IN lS4l, one OF mere handful of
British troops left In charge OF the wives,
sisters and d&ughters of the actors ia that
most unhappy expedition. And weary,
heart-breaking time ii was. The Lieutenant
Governor, who had prayed and besought the
Calcutta authorities not TO risk the adVen-
ture, had the worst forebodings for Its fate;
and although he did all an able, kindly and
well hammered man could do TO maintain
the spirits OF the circle, those vino knew
him could read too well what his fears
were. Words could not describe-indeed
it is painful for me even now to recall
the dreary wretchedness of that fatal
onth, during which TO tidlngs 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 those who were dear TO
them, aud evening after evening saw them
return in despair. And when at last the
news came that the sole survivor had stag
gered, half alive, back to his countrymen,
with the tidings of the great disaster, the
wall which assembled from those heart
brokon creatures shall never while | 1--we
forget.
There had been a captain in one OF the
native regiments, an old acquaintance OF
mine, of the name of Donnelly-Jerry Don
nelly, she 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 to the prophet never understood.
jerry Donnelly, however, he was, and as
strange and eccentric a creature as ever
breathed.
He was very good looking fellow, and
first-rate officer, but careless, ,rollicking,
half insane mad. cap Of q man, with an
amazidg HOW -Ur srsrits,7 education or
culture, great, almost miraculous, talent
for languages, with a soft heart, and an
easy temper. It was impossible to make
him angry; and in all circumstances, how
ever unpleasant, he maintained q 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 live
illness of good health and youth-a quality
not unapt to develop itself in viVaclty OF
temper when those other attributes dis
appear. But, on same impulse, Jerry Don
nelly had asked her the momentous ques-
ton, and had been favorably answered.
A most uncomfortable couple they were.
Jerry, from the very first, neglected her
n,'t Intentionally, l believe, but simply be-
cause for the moment he forgot her exist
ence. 1t never. seemed to him necessary to
alter his former bachelor round in any re-
spect; and as the lady had no notion of be-
| ing neglected, she resented his indifference,
and chalked out q line for herself. 1t may
be easily supposed that the one was not
adverse to brandy and water, or the other
to gossip and Irritation. They never quar-
relied outwardlY, but were hardly ever to-
gether.
So stood the domestic circle, If such it
could be called, of Cap ain Donnelly, when
he was ordered on General Elphinstone's-
expedition. His wife would fain have re
maincd at Calcutta, but as all wives were
going to Agra, she for very shame was
obliged to go there also. On the rumors
OF disasters she was very lndifferent-sald
she was sure Jerry would turn up at the
most inconvenient time, and that if he was
happy, she was. When, however, the
tIdIngs were confirmed, and it 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 year she began once more to look
at the world, she was grave, thoughtful,
softcned woman. She went up to Calcutts
after that, and never saw her again until
l came home on furlough in 1857. She
was then living in pretty place in So1.
ersetshire and was known as Mrs. Court
nay. of Branley Hall,
Imet her accldently, but she was very
glad to see me, and explained to me what
Ihad not heard, that when she arrived at
Calcutta she found that poor Jerry had,
four months before he left Agra, succeeded
to this place of Branley Hall by the death
of distant relation. He had previously
made will leaving her all his worldly
goods, then slender enough, so that in the
end this fine estate had come to her, and 6
new name wifi 1t. She asked me to come
down and see her, which l did, and learned
more of her history.
Sorrow and prosperity greatly changed
her for the better. Even her looks had
improved, and she was pleasant, thought.
full, agreeable woman. She had renamed
four years In Calcutta before she returned
but had at onoe assumed the name oi