Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-11-30
MAJOR wAGsTAFF,s WIG.
An Amusing story about an ElderIy
Gcntlcma N y COurtship.

An Amusing story about an Elderly
Gentlcmans COUrtship.
Some twenty years ago there dwelt in
the struggling little high street of the
quaint old cathedral town of Thorpestone
an old bachelor, by name William New
ton. Here, under the shadow of the gray
cathedral cloisters, lie lived in a COM
Portable old house, with its stained glass
oriel window looking out into the street
in front, and behind it quaint, oid-fash-
toned garden, whose well-trimmed lawn
sloped down to the banks of the river
Thorpe.
In this pleasant home the worthy gen.
tleman contentedly spent his days, watch
ing his apricots ripen in the summer sun,
reading his books i'll his snug and we'll
stocked library and entertaining his more
intimate friends with simple hospitality,
and being of kindly disposition, of I'M
affected piety and given to all good works,
he was respected by all and much beloved
by few devoted friends but of ali his
relatives and friends none had SO deep
rooted place in the old mans heart as
his nephew Harry, the son of his only
brother, who was long since dead.
Harry Newton, thanks to the liberality
Of his uncle, had lately purchased a part
nership in the Oldest firm of solicitors in
Thorpestonc, and was doing remarkably
well he loved his uncle with the devo-
ticn of SOL, ana no pleasanter sight
could be seen than uncle and nephew
walking arm-in.arm of summers eve
ming down the well-trimmed walks of the
little garden.
Three years before the commencement
of my story there came to live in Thorpe
stone half-pay officer named Major Wag-
staff, and as it happened, he took up his
quarters in the comfortable house of Mrs.
Robinson, Harry Newton's landlady (for
Mr.. Newton was far too sensible man
TO make his nephew live in dull house
with an old bachelor). Harry Newton
soon got to know his fellow lodger, and
ere long introduced him to his worthy
uncle, when, to the surprise Of all Thorpe
stone, and to nobody more than Harry
himself, the strangest friendship sprang
up between the two old gentlemen. Mr..
Newton, like many men who have lived
all their lives in retirement, enjoyed hear
ing tales and wonders of lands lie had
never seen. And Major Wagstaff would
talk about his varied experiences as long
as he could get anybody to listen to him.
Now, Major Wagstatf, having come
with good introductions, was soon asked
to all the best houses in Thorpestone and
enjoying society, was a regular attendant
at all the Thorpestone gayeties. But he
did not rest contented with that he de-
termined that his friend, Mr.. Newton,
should enjoy them too, and what with
perpetually bothering him and working,
upon his friends naturally passive ma
ture, he overcame the habits and scruples
OF the old bachelor, and one fine summer
day he succeeded in inducing him to go to
grand garden party. given by the dean.
Imagine Harry Newton's surprise when,
on entering the deans garden, he saw his
uncle, clad in frock coat of antique
build, and hat that, from its appear
ance, could not have seen light for the
last twenty years, handing tea and ices to
the dowagers of Thorpestone.
The deans party was but the thin end
of the wedge. The old mans simple
vanity was gratltied by the congratula-
tons he received on all sides on his I'M
expected temperance in society, and
soon he was as constant an habitue of the
Inorpestone gayeties as the little major
himself. There wasn't a dance. n drnm
rout, tea-tight or garden party in TLorpe.
stone that wasn't graced by the presence
of these two old gentlemen, And trnlv n
strange contrast they made Mr., Newton
tall and slight, with scanty locks and high
forehead, quietly dressed, and with sim.
rle old-fashioned courtesy that sayored of
by-gone age the major, on the other
hand, pompous in manner, short and
stout IN appearance, and with n red face
adorned by very black moustache and
whlskers, and surmounted by plentiful
supply OF silky hair Of the darkest hue.
lH-natured people in Thorpestone used
to point to the majors name in the tell
tale army list, and make very ill-natured
remarks regarding the majors ebon locks :
put then, You see, IN small cathedral
Town, unless the canon's youngest laugh
ter Is KIND enough to run away with the
junior verger, or the preceptor and the
orBanlst have the consideration to uuor.
rel in the cathedral aisle, topics for con.
versation-at least such conversation ms
Thorpestone loved-are apt to grow scarce,
and as you must have some subjects IN
talk about during the long winter eve.
nings, the majors hair did quite as we'll
as any other.
Iu the meantime Harry Newton viewed
the strange friendship with feelings of
doubt and suspicion. He liked the old
major well enough rs dinner companion.
but, knowing the simplicity and generos,
NY OF his uncle, he objected strongly to
tho influence and ascendancy the major
was gradually assuming over him be-
sides which, Harry saw plainly enough
that when they dined together it was in.
yariably at lis uncle's house, when thew
drove to party it was his uncle who paid
the cabman, if they arranged to 60 to a
concert the major would be graciously
pleased to allow Mr.. Newton to paw for
both tickets, and so on ; and Harry de.
termined If he ever should have an on.
portqnity OF breaking up this very one.
use it. ' Ae'''"'e W
A year or 80 after the deans garden
party Ihorpestone was in state of Ami.
ter, owing to the arrival of a widow. who
mad taken pretty house on the banks of
the Thorpe. All they knew was that her
name was Mrs. Lomax, that she was the
widow of London stockbroker, and that
she was coming to Thorpestone. '
Popular excitement was at it's height as
the widow appeared in the cathedral the
hrst Sunday after her arrival and, as We.
CARDS her personal appearance, the male