The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1885-03-12
A TOY DRAMA.

his friends. He had originally Joined a
crack cavalry regiment, in which he was
by far the most popular officer But good
nature was more conspicuous quality in
Frank Poland's character, than discre-
ton, and in an evil moment he backed
brother officers bills for very consider
able amount. Needless to say that his
friend abscOnded, and was declared bank
rupt, and that Poland, being only
younger son, with a small allowance, was
obliged to exchange into regiment of
Indian native cavalry.
Tie was a married man, with delicate
wife and couple of young children, and
the climate speedily made his wife a
chronic invalid, while the children faded
away and died before their parents eyes.
The unfortunate man Was too poor to at-
ford to send them to England, and his
father declined to assist him, saving, with
more truth than kindness, that he had
been the cause Of his own ruin, and must
make the best of his altered circum-
stances.
Grief almost killed Mis- Poland, and
nearly broke the Majors heart-tor he
Was not Colonel then. He would have
resigned bis commission and left the
country he looked upon as accursed, but
necessity kept him at his post, and he
lived on Il dredry. hopeless existence,
among people he hated, and in a land
which had become detestable to him.
", Aat. ..ti az ". A hon
child, third was born to the Colonel and
his wite-a SON, whom they called Ru
pert The TWO loved this Youngest baby
with a devotion that was almost pititul in
It's intensity, for they dreaded the fatal
air Of the place and scarcely dared to
hope that he would escape the fate OF bis
brother and sister; but Rupert was a
strong. healthy child. and for the first
three years of his life scarcely had a days
Illness
Poland began 10 think his luck had
turned at last. he had recently been
promoted to a Colouelcy, and shortly eX-
pected to command his regiment; his wife
Loo, seemed to revive in the delight OF
her boys existence. and Rupert himself
was as little spoiled as any child could be
considering re amount OF affection which
WAS lavisheu .On him.
But just when the prospects of the
family seemed to righttn, d new terror
rose to torment The uck less Colonel His
child began to SHOW pIemontory SNmp-
toms Of the same wasting disease which
was already so terribly familiar to his pa
rents, and The chance Of losing him, too,
began to present itself with dreadful per
slstence before their imagination. So far
indeed, there was no cause for immediate
alarm. POland's perceptions were quick
ened by his OyerpOWeriug anxiety and at-
lection. or he would scarcely have noticed
that little Rupert's face occasionally wore
hectic flush, and that he seemed to tire of
play sooner than was altogether natural,
Husband and wife, for long time, there
fore, kept up the painful farce OF pretend
ing to ignore each others fears, but an
explanation was finally inevitable, Poor
Mrs. Poland, vainly striving to check her
tears, implored her husband to tell her
canddlv if anything was really wrong
with Eer darling, and he was forced 10
admit that the doctor had recommended
sea voyage and a change of climate.
"And how the poor child is 10 get
the one or the other I'm sure | can
imagine be groaHed.
"Surely your father would do something
II he only knew
But the Colonel shook his head very
dTearily.
IL can't ask bin, my dear no, there is
nothing else for it; must send in my
papers, and we must try to keep out of
the workhouse somehow or other Any
thing to save Rupert
And so the matter was settled. Colonel
Poland was tOresign his commission, and
the little family were to start tOr England
10y an early steamer. But the very day
before he sent in bis papers, it happened
that an old comrade Of the Colonies was
passing through the station in which he
was surgeon Major Bradley,
who had been invaded home, and was
making the best Of his way to England
with his wife
They stayed couple Of nights at Bun
dapure, and synpathzed deeply with the
Poiands III their dilemma. DR.. Bradley
seemed 10 take great fancy to Rupert
he was childjess himself. On the second
morning he came to the Colonel and Of
Tered to take charge Of the boy until his
parents returned TO England.
'It would really be rather favor than
otherwise, he protested. My wife and
are very dull by ourselves, and II You
c"uld only trust US, am sure We would
take as good care Of the hoy as u he we're
our own But You kno" You must MAKE
up Your mind at oune,
The Colonel grasped his imend's hand
IN silence BUT he dld not quite realize the
position.
~ don want To press Iou, sad Brad
icy, "but IL certainly seems pity that
lou should cut The Service now, and
starYe on halt pay, when there is such an
easy way out Of the difficulty
50, alter long discussion between Pc
land and his wife, 1t was settled that the
Colonel should accept bis friends offer,
and send Rupert 70 England, while be
and his wife remained at Bundapore.
There was very little time for prepara-
tion, OF tor prolonged !eavetaking. The
poor mother stroVe TO console herself
with the thought that her chlld's life
woIld be saved, but She suffered terribly
in parting from him, while the ColoneFs
feelings were none the less deep because
his manhood forbade him to parade them.
As for Rupert, he had taken wonderfully
TO his new friends, and as his old nurse