Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 13, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 April 1894 — The Shy Australian Major. [ARTICLE]

The Shy Australian Major.

James Payn tells in the Indepen dent of an amusing incident which took place the other day on board an Australian liner. A shy Australian Major, after spending the first evening very late with his friends in the saloon, suddenly returned to them after saying good-night, and requested an Interview with the pursuer; he was very white. “There is a lady,” he said, “in my cabin, No. 4 .” “Rubbish!” exclaimed the purser; “here’s the list; your companion is CapL Higginson.” “Nothing will induce me to go Into the cabin again,” said the Major. “Well, I’ll go,” returned the other. He returned with great celerity, and with as white a face as the major’s. ... . “Upon my life, you fire right; we’ll, put you somewhere else for the night, and see about it in the morning.” With the earliest dawn they sought the steward, and demanded an explanation. “It’s all a mistakf!,. gentlemen, ” he said; “it’s CapL Higginson, all right; here's his luggage.** '■ ’ ‘ r ~ “We must have this explained,” said the purser',‘’’this 'portmanteau is unlocked—let ns see what is in it” It was a lady’s apparel. “By Jlnjo!” cried the steward, “that’s what comes of taking names as don’t belong tame. She said she was Capt Higginson; but she didn’t say It was only in the Salvation Army!”