Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-06

by that time con-
trived to exhaust all
the resources of the neighborhood in the
way OF amusement, for on my arrival /
found them reduced to three topics of con-
versation. First. snipe shooting-a bog
with bird in it lying within reach. Sec
ond' the sayings and doings of the three
Misses McCran; dazzling beauties, daugh-
tiers OF the local solicitor, who kept a
Cargo" and resided in a stucco villa with
"Castellamare" painted on the little green
gate on which the manly forms of two or
more of the Royal Manx were generally to
be seen lounging-in conversation with the
lovely Gerfdine or Norah. Third, Maj.
Marillier's monkey. and why he kept it.
Inc snipe became a bore now and then
ones interest in Gerldine's bewitching
irishisms or Norah's consIests might even
nag occasionally; but the mention of Con-
COS name or of his latest iniluity brought
excitement into our hattess moments d.
rectly.
Congo was a beautiful little creature
with long, soft fur. dark face and paws
and gentle, mournful eyes. the temper of a
wild cat and the morals of an imp Of
darkness He was supposed to reside in a
mousse made of a wine case. in the room of
Sarmody. the majors servant; but except
FOR the purpose Of secreting his plumber in
the straw, never was found there by any
chance.
Every device that he mind of man could
conceive. and Carmody hit upon a fresh
one once week at least. failed to secure
him. He bit through leather and rope
united knots. picked locks, dislocated
chains and always ended by flying like a
demon spider up and down every passage
ana staircase in the place-Carmody swear
ing In his wake-till he gained some coign
or vantage whence it was impossible to
dislodge him.
To apr Aciate the situation one should
nave Known the major.
He was sedate and dignlfied parsonage,
about forty. very quiet and rather precise
and ''old-maidish'' in his ways. L always
suspected that he considered himself created
by nature to be the regular pattern of the
British officer and gentleman, and intended
his dress. demeanor and conversation to be
instructive studies for US youngsters-each
was so perfect in its way. 1 can't imagine
why we didn't detest him. L think We were
rather proud OF him and considered him a
credit to the regiment. He was a thorough
ly good. ktnd-hearted fellow au fond and 1t
was generally understood that he could II he
chose do everything better than anybody
held aloor from our sports and pastimes
not only refusing to enter his horse for our
steeplechase but actually declining to lend
him to Miss Norah McCran for the same
occasion.
His dress was a study OF cut and color,
from the parting OF his hair to the toes of
his boots; but 1 think his rooms impressed
me most-such a combination OF military
precision with feminine prettinesses: tro-
phies OF wariike weapons; lace 1ounces to
his shelves and chimney board; tiger skins,
crewel work. antimacassars. military mod
els and plans, and old china he had some
valuable engravings and photographs about.
and over the fireplace hung a water color
sketch, 'Brockwood, Leicestershire-a mag
nificent old baronial residence-wnich. with
out the slightest foundation for the idea,
we all agreed to be the majors birthplace
or Inheritance, OF which he had been some
how wrongfully deprived
There was also a big writing table. sur
rounded by laden book shelves, at which he
spent most OF his spare time, celebrating
and revising his great work on tactics. of
which We were wont to speak with respect
ful admiration Now imagine over this
scene OF peaceful propriety a four-armed
fiend rampaging, leaving destruction in his
train; playing all name. of impish pranks,
hiding bottle OF "BrS.iiantine." carefully
uncorked, in the majors boots; swallowing
every stud he possessed under the delusion
they were bon bons: or bombardfng him
with freshly corrected proof sheets crum-
have some notion of the never-failing zest
the existence of Congo gave to life in Bally-
noggin-
Why did he keep it?
Some OF Congos performances turned him
livid with rage, but they never drove him
to condemning the brute to exile or execu-
ton.
Every man has his pet extravagance, T"
ne was wont to say smiling serenely. II
suppose Congo is mine"
1 never but once saw Maj. MarilIier nearer
to being excited than when a rumor arose
that Congo was lost.
He wasn't, the beastI He had as many
hiding holes as magpie. My bed was ore,
and there he was found Gin company with
Carmody's backing brush. one OF the ma
1ors immaculate CATERS, and the big OWLS
head with the red glass eyes that used to
adorn Miss Layinia McCran's ha) Just in
time TO prevent his master from bursting
into tears. or Offering flOO reward, either OF
which seemed imminent
What did 1t mean?
We specialized, argued, betted, nearly
Fought over IT, so disproportionate grew the
excitement in the duh stagnation of our
lives In Ballynoggin, and got no nearer the
truth Once the solution OF the enigma
seemed within our grasp-thanks to Mr..
Terence O'Flaherty.
He was a local "squireen." proprietor of
the aforementioned bog. whom. in default
OF other society, We used to invite contin-
ually to mess.
He was heavy enough when sober: later
on, great on home rule and the departed
glortes OF Ireland and his family 1.-The fight
In Flahertys." dueIists OF note in the brave
days OF old when Castle t'laherty was kept
up IN prfncely style, and 1.-The clar't in the
cellars would have flooded the country for
miles round
O'Flaherty was mixing himself some whis-
ky and water one evening before departing,
romancing the while gloriously, when sud-
denly black figure descended with a swing
and bound from somewhere alighting on
OFlaherty's shoulders. Congo. of course.
He clawed fast to O'F1aherty's hair with
one hand. and plunged the other into the
scalding brew, presumably in search of
sugar: then. chattering wrathfully, upset
the boiling mixture on O'Flaherty's legs and
vanished with a lock of hair.
OF1aherty's language was forcible: well
II might be. Marillier apologized in the
handsomest manner. but the blood of the
descendant Of ''the fightin Flahertys'' was
up. and mere words had no power to ap-
pease him.
He demanded the instant execution of
Congo. or the satisfaction Of a gentleman.
Are these your only Alternatives asked
the major, gravely.
They are" clustered Terence
Then accept the latter" said Marillier,
unhesitatingly.
you're a gentleman, bedad" exclaimed
OFlaherty, suddenly sobered And If
You think that dirty little haste worth
hShtin' about. Terence OFlaherty's not the
man TO begrudge YOU the pleasure. Still, I'd
oe ready 10 overlook IL. and let bygones be
oygones, II you'd give me one single dacent
reason for keeping the haste"