The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1884-08-01
WHO WINS r?

Delhi, that city of minarets, the seat
In former years of the great mogul, whose
rule dominated IIindostan, and whose
style and magnifccncc reached the ears
of the inhabitants of the old wo Id in
such an exaggerated way as to make
people believe that the streets were
paved with gold
In the year 1857, Delhi, = ugh shorn
of its ancient splendor, was still place
to talk and dream Of
The bazaars were filled with rare and
costly merchandise, and the streets of the
capital contained nothing but jewelry
which was largely exported to Europe
and America.
But in a single night all this was
changed, and instead of the hum Of toll
ing thousands there came the brazen
notes of the war-trumpet. the boom of
cannon, the rattle of musketry, and the
eteely flash Of naked sabres.
British valor was once more called
upon to defend the honor of old England
against nation in revolt-a handful, so
to speak, of devoted men were pitted
against Seyoys, outnumbering them a
hundred to one or more.
Two officers were seated in a tent en-
joying a weed and a cup of fragrant cof-
fee after the toll of the day, on which a
hard battle had been fought against the
enemy, victory declaring for the side Of
the British.
"This is a change with a vengeance, "
remarked Captain Nandeleur, a gallant
soldier in a crack cavalry regiment. GA
fortnight ago we were dancing at Gen
eral Coghlans party, with his sweet
granddaughter, Cicely, as an engaging
partner; now we caper to different music.
with no lady friend to smile encourage
ment upon u.s."
"Quite right, old fellow" laughed
Cyril Bcnthorpe, surgeon in the corps,
and as brave and handsome a fellow as
ever used lancet to relieve suffering hui
manitv "I'm afraid we were both hard
hit in that quarter-an affection of the
heart, which, perhaps, a rebel bullet will
cure one of these days"
'Its soldiers lot if it does, " said Ven
deleur, lightly. II had no idea, though,
Benthorpe, that you were in the lists
against me; but we needn't be less
friends for that, need we old MANI"
"Certainly not, " said his friend, whose
ldCc dSStlllCN IL IlOIc SCIlOuS All us nC uOl
ded: "By the way, l wonder why We
have received no news from the old gen
eral | hope the rebels are giving him
no trouble"
"By Jove. I never thought of that
But here comes Major Pringle, looking
like another Bombastes Furioso, full oil
news"
"Hallo, you fellowsm said the major,
edo you know that some friends Of yours
are in great perll | refer to the Cogh-
lans but before l say more Just give me
some brandy-pawnee; the accused rebels
kick up such dust that I'm wcll-nigf
choked."
Nandeleur helped the somewhat bibu-
lous major to the stimulant, while eX
changing serious glanCes with Ben
thorpe.
"We're sorry to hear that, Pringle, >
remarked Benthorpe. 'How did the
news reach our Campo"
"a fellow brought few lines from
the general, rolled up, and hidden in hi
ear. A squadron of our corps is to star
tonight to relieve the beleagured little
garrison, if possible, and t, bring it
members in" said PrIngle, holding on
his glass to be reflled.
Il should like to go, Pringle, remark
ed Nande!eur, as he poured out a bumpe
for his chief, with view Of propitatin.
him
80 should l." put in Benthorpe, Gag
crly
"What, two of you badly hit in tina
direction 2" laughed Pringle. "Wcll
well, I'm no lady's man myself, and 5,
won't enter into rivalry with you fellows
have already detailed you both in or
ders for the smart little affair Tn,
trumpet will sound boot and saddle a
nine. We shall have moon to guide us
thank goodness
When the major left which he did il
hurry, after his last glass of brandy
pawnee, the friends sat on in silence 70
some minutes, evidently deeply concerned
about the fate of Cicey COghlan, a love
ly brunette, with laughing black eyes
and hair as dark as a ravens wng-ius
just such a girl as to conquer a Who'll
regiment Of imprcssionable officers-th
very beau ide i of soldiers wfe-gay
impulsiye yet full of womanly tendcrnes
and gcntleness.
See here, Bcnthrorpc," said Nandt
leur, who was the first to break tn
SllcuSt llldI uuN COllt upon DOlll,
love Cicely, SO do you; let us decide VIII
shall have her.
"Howl in what wayl"
''We are both going to the relief {
the same place-the man who reachC
her side first shall win her hand-th1
is provided she is willing; the othC
fellow must retire gracefully"
Benthrope pondered over the proposi
for few minutes, and then placing h
hand in Nandeleur's, said with all a so
diar's fronlxnaco.