The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 136: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 188 ‘¢ Sir,” said Morton, ‘‘I appreciate your generosity, but I can- not accept it.” ‘* And why not ?”’ ‘¢ Because your condition at the present moment will not, I think, permit you to do so; but we will, if you will permit us, fee you safe to your hotel, and then we will take our leave of you.” ‘‘You are willing to add to the benefits Iam to receive at your hand, but you will hardly accept of thanks, much less of aught else. My name is Rouselli; I am a native of France; but I am well enough now to leave when I have discharged my debt here.” Then turning to the chemist, he purchased a few articles, and having paid for them and thanked him for his attention, they all then left the shop, Rafferty Brolickbones and Henry Morton walkiug on either side of him. and giving him the support of their arms to enable him to walk more easilv. ' qn you prefer a coach?” inquired Morton—‘‘it can be 2 —" ‘‘No; I would prefer going as I am, if I distress you not.” In a little time they came to a hotel, where Mr. Rouselli stop- ped, and said: | ‘‘This is my hotel. At least come up-stairs with me.” ‘‘T cannot refuse you,” replied Morton; and all three went up to the room which he occupied. _ ‘* You have not been long here, sir?” ‘‘T have not.” ‘‘ Do you intend remaining here ?” A shade of melancholy and sadness came over the face of Mr. Rouselli, as he, after a pause, answered ,— ‘‘That depends on so many events, that I cannot tell. myself truly; but yet I have every desire to return to my own country to die. ‘“‘Oh! I don’t wonder at that, sir,” said Raffertv; ‘‘ for I used often to wish that 1 might be buried in ould Ireland, and vet a soldier has no right to wish that; he ought to be satisfied if he is buried where he falls.” ‘“‘They usually do—they usually do,” said the Frenchman, who appeared unusually sad. ‘‘ But come to-morrow with me and I will talk with you. I have lost a son in battle; but more of this when next I sce you.” They both took their leave of Mr. Rouselli, and, after many kind words on both sides, they left the hotel. They walked some distance without speaking to each other: and each was intent upon his own thoughts. ‘‘Rather a pleasant old gentleman, that, Rafferty!” observed Henry Morton, at length. ‘“Yis, sir. I hope nothing unpleasant will follow the accident which came so near sending him to glory.” **T hope so, Rafferty.” At this moment a man came by, dressed in shabby garments, which had seen some rough usage, when Rafferty Brolickbones started and stared, and the blood came into his face, and fire comicbooks. com