Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1883-07-05
MY FRIEND, THE MAJOR.

<bnt tnah bTbOh nuTct, tEe nouo OF yuuty | q
asnderheid. The place was founded by | |
ais grandfather, who built it In the ,
style, and it was his chief
hin to combine solidity with architectural
beauty. But the father of Colonel Man |
derfeld was an cid British army officer .
who had seen service all over the world,
and had passed many years in Eastern
30 when he was called to
inherit the estate, he, for the lack OF
something better to do, commenced max
ing alterations and additions to the
already ospacious mansion, and all he
built WAS in the Moorish style. His son,
Col. Sydney Manderfeld, was person OF
very eccentric mind like his father, he
had served in the army, and 1t was not
until he had been wounded score OF
times that he went on the half-pay list,
and took up his abode at Brockhurst,
which in due order of succession came
into his possession. He had mania for
alterations and additions also, but
everything with him was the Italian
style, 30 in viewing Brockhurst in the
third generation the eye was very much |
puzzled to determine which manner OF |
architecture prevailed in the building, |
Becomes, naples, lordly old oaks, yews |
planted in the immediate vicinity OF the
mansion, while through the openings i'll
the foliage the gilded cupolas of the most
perfectly appointed stables in the country
met the eye.
The hospitality Of Colonel Manderfeld
was 30 profuse that his house always
contained guests and no more agreeable
and cultivated society could be met in
England than in his house. lie had the
means and disposition to indulge the
whims and preferences OF his friends to
the fullest bent, 80 that no peraon sojourn-
ing beneath his roof could fail to pass his
time pleasantly.
1t was my good fortune to receive an
invitation to visit him, and the month of
July was the season | selected. had
heard that the Colonel entertained very
largely, but was not prepared to
encounter so many people as | found
there On my arrival, and had | known
the number of friends that were dwelling
with him at the time, | should most
certainly have deferred my visit until his
company had Trimmed off.
1t seemed to me that the Colonel had
half the officers OF the British army with
him, besides ladies by the score. Colonel
Mandertiald was bachelor of about 81
years of age, tall and heavily built, with
the most perfect physique that it was
possible to conceive. His head was
thickly stresked with gray, but his blue
eyes were as clear and his constitution
as sound Us when he rode with his regi-
ment in his first Indian campaign.
He was man OF fine conversational
powers, and could entertain one for hours
with the most interesting descriptions of
the countries which he had visited and
the scenes III which he had participated.
During my stay with him he gave d
ball, and had an opportunity of observ-
ing the country gentry, and the impress
sions left on my mind are among the
most pleasing reoollections of my life.
Among the visitors az Brookhurst was
one Major Chiffon, comrade of Colonel
Manderfeld, and like him retired from
service. He took fancy to me from the
very first, and the feeling was reciprocal
The Major was true turiman and mosi
ardent lover Of horsetiesh. AS my tasts
ran in the same direction, it may have
been this fact caused him to attach him
self to me. We spent good deal OF ou
time at the stables, and generally rod
together in our hunts. He sat his hors
admirably, and it was no small cOmpli
ment when We drew up side by side oil
the further edge of deep ditch on
hunting day to hear him say
SPY George, you ride well; who laugh
you l''
"lndeed," replied, 81 can't tell you
The school wherein l learned to ride wa
in old Virginia. must have been place
on horseback very young; for to tell 20
the truth, | can't remember when too
my first lesson"
The reply pleased him, for he chuckle
and passed me his brandy flask.
Some days afterwards We We're sittin
at Brookhurst, and Colonel Manderliel
and the Major were talking OF old time
when the latter suddenly placed h
hand tightly across his forehead, sayin
in low, quick tone, "l'lu afraid il
coming, Manderfeld."
The Colonel instantly arose, an,
declining my Assistance, conducted Ii
gnest TO his room, and sent for II
servant who always accompanied Il
Major, aud who had been with him (,
years.
1t was late in the afternoon ere sa
Colonel MauderfeIi again, but ] met hi
outside the house, and, taking my arm
he walked down one Of the beautiful
graded avenues, while he spoke
follows:
''Yuu doubtless wonder what ale
Chiffon ~ ....
81 hope he Is not i'll, =" replied.
"He'll be all right by Tomorrow, - W,
the reply. "But these attacks sometim
cause him to be- dangerous, and it is be
that he ia watched till they pass O
This ia light affair, however, and the
is no trouble to spprehend. Years az
when We We're serving in India, there vi
circumstance which occurred to hi
that was very remarkable. He had
native servant, fellow who, up to Il
time of which l am speaking, was vel
faithful. Chiffon believed him to
Trustworthy, and bestowed all sorts
favors upon him, and granted him priv
leges he would not have accorded to Oh
Of his own men.
"One day the Major was visiting d
bungalow Of brother officer, and Gum
(tor so the fellow was calledl was I
proved by his master for some trtllil
misconduct, when he made use Of
insolent expression. 1t was the frat tiI
he had been guilty OF such an act, b
Chiffon, who was high-spirited, was We
apt in those days to punish insolenoe
the spot, go he caught the offender
the collar and gave him a sound thras
Ing with the rattan he happened to car
In his hand. Nothing more was thong
Of the occurrence, and after few days
was quite forgotten, and Gunga we
about his duties as usual. Some til
later, when Chiffon was In barracks,
called Gunga to bring him a glass
water. 1t was not until he had empti
the tumbler that he thought the wat
had peculiar taste; he therefore que
toned Gunga about 1t, but the m
assured him that the water was perfect
pure, and Chiffon said no more about
TIE next day Gunga was missed, and "
never again seen by his master. Still t
Major had no suspicions that the rss,
had done anything wrong, but sttribut
his absence to the fact OF his desiring
visit his people, who lived in the interit
These fellows had way of leaving wit
out notice when they got the hOmesiC
ness on them. Well, as | said, Chit
never imagined the sooundrel harbored
feeling of revenge for the Gaming he h
received but one day as he was taken
and became as crazy as March hal
when 1t was discovered that Gungg h
poisoned the water that Chiffon dram
Medical skill soon carried him out
danger, but never has been able
eradicate the effects from his system.
intervals return Of the mslady ensu
and he Is generally conscious of
approach. His servant knows better Ii