The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 128: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 126 use of his speech. ‘I don’t know—I have nearly been killed with fright; but. before that, I was alive.” ‘Then look alive.” ‘‘T can’t,” said the landlord, ‘‘ until I have recovered from the noise.” ‘“‘T am sorry for disturbing you, my good dame; but if you keep an open house for travelers, you mustn’t complain if they walk in at a seasonable hour.” ; ‘ There’s for you,” said the landlady, ‘‘as if I was to be dis- turbed for such people.” ** Which is your travelers’ room—eh?” ‘‘That one afore you; but what are you pulling the woman about for? you are dragging her about after you as if you were afraid of her running away.” Mabel was irresolute, and for some moments spoke not; but at length she determined to speak to them, and said: ‘* Help to rescue me from this terrible man; he is taking me from my friends against my will, and compelling me to hide from those who are in search of me; he isa vile man.” ‘* Poor thing!” ejaculated the landlady. ‘‘TI'll see if he shall touch her,” and then she seized a gigantic shovel. ‘*Oh,” said the landlord; ‘‘he shall know what it is to come into my house.” And forthwith he seized upon the shovel and flourished it above his head in an attitude of offense. During this time the mendicant, who kept a tight hold of the unfortunate Mabel, drew out the constable’s staff, which he held within an inch or two of the landlord’s nose. ‘Thou stupid! do you know what it is? Do you?” ‘“*Oh, my eye and the bung, why, it’s an officer’s staff, as sure as hens’ eggs are not kidney beans.” ‘““'Well? Iam an officer.” ‘‘In course youis. I see it all now;—the poor young lady's had @ runaway match, and you are taking her back.” . ” ; wish it was no worse,” said the mendicant, shaking his 1ead. to Worse!” exclaimed the landlord, dropping the poker on the stones. ‘“Worsel” said the landlady, looking the picture of mystified horror and curiosity. ‘‘She hasn’t had a baby, and killed it, hasshe? Oh, the wretch!” ‘*No, worse.” ‘Goodness gracious! say what it is, for I don’t know what is worse.” | ‘* Well, then, she’s mad.” ‘* Poor creature! mad, eh?” said the landlady, going near to her, and looking at her with intense curiosity and pity. ‘* Don’t go near her; she’s very artful, and very dangerous.” ‘* Goodness!” | _** My good people,” said Mabel, ‘“‘I want nothing unreason- able. He says I am mad. Why not let my friends convey me to my place of destination? Why should I be dragged through by-ways, instead of having a proper means of conveyance? I comicbooks. com