The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1894-01-27
THE "REMINISCENCES OF MAJOR
CARRAWAY.
BY JOHN KENDRICK BANGS.

BY JOHN KENDRICK BANGS.
When the Christmas dinner was
over lack and Mollie on the Majors
invitation climbed into the old
warriors lap and kissed him.
"Ah p said the Major. That's
it.
What's it, Uncle Maor:2 asked
Mollie.
Those kisses are it, returned the
Major. l was wondering what it
was l needed to make my dinner an
unqualified success. There was
something lacking, but what it was
we have had so much, | could not
guess until you two tots kissed me.
Now 1 know, for really feeling Of
the most blessed contentment has
settled upon my soul.
Do you wish you had two young
sters like us, Uuncle Major? asked
Jack.
Do wish had? Why have
got two youngsters like you, the
Major replied. I've got EN- right
here too.
Where? asked Mollie looking
curiously about her for the Ma jor's
two.
On my knees of course, said the
Major. You and Jack are mine.
Your Papa gave you to me-and
you are as like yourselves as two
peas in pod.
IL hope you aren't going to
take US away from Papa and Mamma,
said Mollie a little ruefully. She
was very fond of Major Carraway
but she didn't exactly like the idea
OF being given away.
Oh no-not at all, said the Major
stroklng the little girls soft brown
curls. Your Papa has consented 10
keep you here for me and your
mamma has kindly volunteered to
lock after you. There is to be no
change, except that you belong to
me, vice versa, l belong to you.
And suppose, then, said Jack, If
you belong to us you've got to do
pretty much what we tell you to.
Exactly, responded the Major.
If you should ask me to tell you a
story I'd have to do it, even if you
were to demand the full particulars
of how l spent Christmas with Mtulu
King OF the Taate Eaters on the
upper Congo-which is the tale l
have never told anyone in all my
life.
1t sounds as if it might be interest
ing, said Jack. Those are real candy
names, aren't they.
Yes, said the Major. Taafe
sounds like taffy and Mtulu is very
suggestive OF chewing gum. That's
the curions thing about the savage
tribes of Africa. Their names often
sound as if they might be things to
eat instead of people. Perhaps that
is why they sometimes eat each
other-though of course, l won't
say for sure that that is the real
explanation of cannibalism.
What's cannon ballsm? asked
Mollie.
He didn't say cannon ballism,
said Jack, scorntully. 1t was candy,
ballism.
Well-you've both come pretty
near it, said the Major, and well lei
the matter rest there or won't have
time to tell you how Christmas go
me into trouble with King Mtulu.
The Major called for a cigar. which
MolIie lit for him and then he
began:
You may not have heard, he SAID
that some twenty or thirty years age
was in command Of an expedition
in Africa. Our object WIS to fine
Lake Majolica, which we hopee
would turn up half way betweer
Lollokolela and the Clebungo Noun
tains. Lollokolela was the further
most point to which civilization hat
reached at that time, and was directl,
in the path to the Clebungo Noun
tains, which the natives said wer
full of gold and silver mines ant
scattered all over which there wer
reputed to be caves in which dia
monds and rubles and other gems {
rarest sort to be found in great pre-
fusion. No white man had ever su
ceeded in reaching this marvelousl
rich range of hills for the reason ths
. after leaving LolIokolela there wa
as far as was known, no means {
obtaining water, and counties
adventurous spirits had had to Riy
up because of the overpoW
} thirst which the climate hG0l
upon them. - -
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