Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 71, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 December 1909 — THE MAJOR'S BRIDE [ARTICLE]

THE MAJOR'S BRIDE

In the year 1847 in the ancient city et Puebla a young couple were carrying on a conversation which seemed to be of great Interest to them. The one, a young fellow wearing the uniform of the United States army, was haying, “Though you confess that you love me you still declare that you cannot marry me?' “Yes,” said the other sadly, a beautiful young Mexican girl, “I love you. but I cannot be your wife. I have promised my hand to my cousin, to whom my father owes more than be can pay. But he has promised that if I marry him be will cancel the debt, taking me tn exchange. I hate him,” she continued fiercely, "but I must keep my word.” “But,” said the young man impetuously, “this barter and sale is barbarous. Can’t you be made to reconside? your decision?”

"No," said the maiden despairingly, ‘lt is impossible. We must part.” Several months previous, just after the American army had entered Puebla on its victorious march to the capital, Captain Robert Reynolds had been able to perform a notable service for Senor Garcia, a Mexican of reputed wealth, and bis daughter, Ine» One day while out driving the senor’s carriage horses became frightened by the maneuvers of a company of soldiers and, twisting suddenly, threw the coachman from his seat and started at full speed down the road. Captain Reynolds, seeing the danger, rushed into the street and, grasping the maddened horses by the bits, after a severe fight succeeded in stopping them. The senor was voluble in bis thanks and in his praise of the young American's courage, but far more acceptable to the young captain was the shy glance of gratitude he received from the senor’s beautiful daughter. His acquaintance thus formed with the family soon ripened into intimacy, his intimacy into love. The next morning Captain Reynolds rode away at the head of his company, his dream of love rudely broken. But the army was soon too busily engaged to allow him to indulge in useless repining. At Contreras he distinguished himself and. having been so fortunate as to save his colonel’s life, was brevetted major for his gallant conduct. At the storming of Molina del Rey his company was one of the first to enter the works. Here, however, he was severely wounded, and when in a few days the City of Mexico surrendered he was borne into the conquered capital among the other injured Americans. His case was a critical one, and, as his head was severely injured, brain fever soon set in. It is a matter of history how the Mexican ladies tended and nursed our wounded and dying soldiers, so when one morning a lady in the garb of a nun presented herself at the hospital and offered her services as a nurse it excited no comment. The sick man’s constant cry had been “Ines, Inez!” After the arrival of the new nurse, who confined herself almost entirely to the bedside of Major Reynolds, this cry was hushed and his ravings in a measure ceased.

At last the fever had run its course, and Major Reynolds, though not convalescent, had now, in the doctor’s opinion, some chance for life. What was the invalid's surprise when he opened his eyes and recovered his fatuities to see beside him the face of bis only love, Inez Garcia, whom he recognized even with her disguising habiliments. “Is it really you, Inez?” said he, his voice surprising even himself in its weakness. “I thought it was a dream.” "Yes,” said she, “but you must not speak or even think. Those are the surgeon’s orders.” Too tired and Weak to go contrary to her wishes, he fell into a deep, refreshing slumber, from which he awoke strengthened and invigorated in mind and body. He seemed desirous of asking her a question, yet dared not. She, interpreting his actions aright, said: “Now. if you will promise to be quiet. I will tell you how I happen to be here. In the first place, lam not married and”—very demurely—“am not likely to be. My cousin was killed at Cherubusco, and my father, being next of kin, inherited his estate, so that now he is free from those difficulties which encompassed him some time ago. Hearing of your misfortune, I persuaded my father to come here so that I could take care of you.” “And now.” broke in the major, “there is no obstacle to our marriage. Is that what you mean to imply?” Her answer is not given, but it seemed satisfactory to all parties concerned. 4, And now,” continued Inez, “I must leave you, though I will visit you frequently in my own propria perssna.” Reynold’s recovery, no longer doubtful, was rapid. But when he attempted to thank the surgeon that worthy replied: “Young man, you owe your life not to me, but to the careful nursing of that nun who has so mysteriously disappeared.” The war was soon ended, and Reynolds, having been removed as soon as practicable to the home of his betrothed, soon recovered his usual health. The old senor, conquering his repugnance to the idea of marrying his daughter to one of the victorious Americans, at length granted his consent. Reynolds, dreading a life of inactivity, resigned his commission and, yielding to the entreaties of bis wife and father-in-law, established bls place of residence in the sunny land of Mexico, Infusing into the business of the old Mexican some American energy and tact, which there as everywhere met with Its umm! success.

was snn-ng around her house. Two great baskets were filled with gifts from the overflowing drawers in the closed chambers, and Calista’s best cloak and hat lay on the sofa. The poorhouse was three miles away on the highroad, and a snowplow had leveled a broad track to the very door. So Callsta, clad in her best, put on her overshoes and started forth, a basket In either hand. She was quite pale and tired when she turned into the high white gate and advanced up the path, bordered on either side with gloomy cedar trees. Dr. Keyes was the overseer of the Cloverdale poorhouse, and it was considered the best managed institution of its kind in the state. Breakfast was being served in the long dining hail when Calista rang the bell, and when the door opened the bluff, brown .eyed doctor himself stood before her. "Merry Christmas, Miss Calista! So you are playing Santa Claus this morning! I am glad of that, because some of my old people are feeling very blue today." He relieved her of the baskets and led the way into the cheery warmth of his comfortable office, where Calista sat down before the glowing stove and thawed out her frosty fingers. When she spoke her eyes were fastened on the red coals, and the words came hesitatingly. “I’ve kept Christmas alone—for twelve years. Somehow I didn’t care about seeing anybody. I just wanted to try to bring back things as they used to be—before”— Dr. Keyes wiped his glasses and replaced them on his fine nose. Had he not stood side by side with little Calista Thorp and fought hopelessly the battle of life and death—and lost? And had not Callsta turned on him like a little wild animal and condemned him because he had failed? She had avoided speaking to him afterward, and this was the first time they had met, and she was talking to him now as if she had forgotten that he had lost the grim battle for her loved ones. —“before my folks died,” went on Calista steadily. “But it can’t be done! The minister talked to me about it. and I got to thinking last night maybe the best way to live over happy times is to give them to somebody else that never had any, so I’ve brought all the presents I’ve given mother and father and the children ever since—then—and I want the folks here to have them.” Two tears rolled down her cheeks from Calista’s overcharged heart, and others followed and fell Into the glass of grape juice which Dr. Keyes held at her lips, and perhaps it was that or the large warm hand which rested on her shoulder that revived the little woman to renewed strength. “You need never be without a family, Miss Callsta,” said the doctor at last in a husky voice. “I have a family here—forty people—old and young, and little children. They need help and encouragement and comfort. Some may have another chance in the world if they receive a word of womanly sympathy in season. Will you be my right hand here?” “I’d like to,” sobbed Callsta thankfully. Together they distributed the contents of the two baskets, and Calista found her tongue saying soft pleasantries and her cold face responding warmly to grateful smiles. She saw her mother’s kindly look and her father’s approving nod in the faces of many of these indigent old people, and the delight of Bobby and little Ann were repeated tenfold by the orphaned poor children of the doctor’s household.

“You have been an angel in disguise to them this Christmas day,” said the doctor as he carried Calista home in his sleigh that evening, for Calista had stayed to the dinner of pork tenderloin and apple sauce, with vegetables and many dainties contributed by the good overseer from his own scanty pocket. Calista Thorp’s house was empty no longer. There was always room for some broken soul from the poorhouse —some one who drooped in the atmosphere which could never be inseparable from the institution and who needed comfort and encouragement before taking up the burden of life and attaining independence in the end. ' The following Christmas Calista was welcomed as an old friend by the inmates of the poorhouse. At her bidding each one had hung his or her stocking on a line stretched before the dormitory doors, and that evening Calista and Dr. Keyes had filled them all. Calista’s blue eyes were shining with happiness as the doctor drove her home under tttb Christmas stars. “We remembered every one,” she said contentedly, leaning back among the soft robes. “Every one?” he repeated doubtfully. “Why, who have we forgotten?” “Me,” he said gravely. Calista’s heart thumped painfully at the new note in his deep voice. "You have forgotten me, Calista. I have given you my heart. That is my gift You have God’s gift, too, the love of my poor people and his love in your heart. I, too, want a gift” There was a hushed silence then until Calista found courage to ask shyly. “What shall I give—to you—my best friend?” “Give me a place In your heart, Calista. I must be there also. We will work together. Surely you have room in your heart for me toot” He leaned over and looked in her eyes, where joy shone serene. She gave her hand into his with simple faith. "There is room In my heart for you. •ienry— room for the memory of my lc>r one*, mom for the whole world.”