Smyrna times., 1893-04-19
MY RELATIONS WITH The MAJOR.
BY JOHN PALMER GAVIT.

am taking rest after a round O.
gayety and social activity which
never equalled before, and ] doubt nv
going into the swim next winter or for
some winters to come, for that matter
am desirous to explain my reasons
for this withdrawal from society. and
in order to do so shall be obliged to
tell YOU of my relations with Major
Hoffman.
You see, l have always felt that it
was in sense, my duty to move in
good society, and have been at some
pains so to arrange my affairs and
social relations as to be able to attend
most of the better class of private en-.
tertainments given in the city during
the past two or three winters. 1t not
only gave me no small enjoyment but
1t also assisted me materially in nv
business. 1t was matter Of consid-
erable difficulty to secure an invitation
to the Van Schoonhoven reception.
but | managed it-nO matter how
and it was at this reception that made
the acquaintance of this Major Hof-
man.
/ had atrolled into DR.. SchOonhoven's
office to get out of the hot and crowded
reception room, and in the dim light
was leaning against the window casing
idly tapping the glass with nv nails,
when | noticed at the top of the win
dow sash a bit of metal cleaning in
the semi darkness. | touched it and
found it was part of a burglar alarm.
moving when the window was opened
upon another bit of metal two inches
above, and by contact completing an
electric circuit of some sort.
l am somewhat of an electrician.
and my interest and curiosity were at
once aroused. Without stoppinp TO
think unscrewed the upper bit of
metal with my knife aud after twisting
oil the wire which led from it into the
woodwork, was examining it, when I
heard light step at the door, and on
looking round found standing bv the
table tall, dark-skinned man ia even
ing dress, with black moustache and
imperial, and long, rather curly, black
halr-in all suggesting at once the
popular idea of his Satanic Majesty.
by one of those impulses which
overcome :us at all times, | slipDed
the bit Of metal into my pocket and
turned toward the stranger, who from
his dress and manner, | assumed to he
one of the guests.
Il hope l do not intrude." he said
politely.
"Oh, no. l hastened to reply. II
am glad some one else can enjoy the
coolness here"
Il think | have not the honor of
your acquaintance" the stranger que.
ried, smiling, and with a slight foreign
accent-"as guests in this house I
trust we need no formal introduction
my name is Hoffman, Major Franz
Hoffman"
And | am William B. Vance, very
at your service, sir" | replied, decid-
edly pleased with my new friends
voice and manner. 81 am indeed clad
to make your acquaintance, Major"
| found Major Hoffman very agree
able fellow, a gentleman of refinement
and culture, polished, well-informed. a
ready cOnversatiOnalist, though very
reserved as to himself,and a smoker of
excellent cigars. We discussed books.
yachting, horses, politics, etc. the
Major showing himself man of wide
reading and deep thought along many
lines.
/ could learn nothing, however, as to
his own occupation-he was especially
reteent on that point. Major Hoffman
carelessly let slip that he had been in
Europe until recently; his business
mad taken him there on two davis
warning and had brought him back as
could not tell how soon
the present matter would be disposed
of, or where he would 60 next.
II am an uncertain fellow" he said
laughing, land never know nv own
plans two weeks in advance. Indeed.
my plans are generally made for me-
and l go and come usually at the bid. |
ding of others
While we were talking DR.. Van |
SchoonhOven entered, and l did not
see the Major again that evening as | |
returned to the reception |
'oom, the Major staying for chat with
his host
I was decidedly i'll at ease. for had |
hat piece of burglar alarm in NV
pocket, and could find no opportunity
o replace it. l was fully aware that
ny hasty action might be misconstrued
~ one who did not know me, and |
vas anxious lest the Major had seen
ne take it down, though not in the
emotest way had either of us referred
o the subject. 1t was no business of
lis, though, in any case, and | did NOT
hink myself bound in any wav to
consult him about so trivial a piece of
METAL. Besides | was inclined to think
le did not see me take the thing. II
appeared, however. that
le did see me take it, and his actions
we're strongly influenced by tie ideas
his trihing incident suggested to his
mind.
AS it happened | had no opportunity
o approach the window again, and I
vent home with the bit of metal still
u my waistcoat pocket.
That night an attempt was made to
OBJ DIR. Van SchoOnhovenis house.
he burglars entering by the very
window from which l had removed the
They did not succeed
securing any plunder, but were
frightened away before any valuables
Gere found.
Now, this attempted burglary was
lmilar to several others which had
AIKEN place at some of the finest resi-.
ences in town, in each case following
My day or two after reception or
all, similar to that at DR.. Van Schoon.
ovens house.
AS It happened in every instance but
ne, had been a guest at the enter
linment, and | had almost begun to
ear lest the people who had invited
le should regard me as a bird of evil /.
men, and cease to request the honor
my presence" at their houses.
Probably you are thinking of Major
ionman IN connection with these rob
cries?
| must say that ! did not, though I
ad occasion afterward to associate
inn more or less directly with all of
hem.
/ had met him butonce, and but for
short time only, and his name did
OF occur to me until two weeks later. !
hen Senator Cox's daughter was
larried. At the reception in the
vening met the Major again, suave.
olite, but as before suggesting Mephis. ;
lpheles.
encountered him a dozen times :
lat evening, in the back veranda. in
le conservatory, in the garden, until
began to regard him as nv evil gen.