The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 250: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 247 ‘¢ And he will tell the truth,” said the attorney. ‘I am will- ing to stake my professional reputation upon the honor of this brave old soldier.” In a low voice the witness began: ‘*] was wounded, but not badly, at Waterloo. I lay upon the field close to an English officer and some soldiers, although a gun carriage that had been upset hid me from their observation, while it did not prevent me from observing all that passed. They, if present, will admit that I was there, when I state that I saw one who would have robbed the dead, and murdered the living, shot by a sergeant.” * That's me, apy how!” cried Rafferty. ‘‘ Yes,” said the old French soldier, fixing his eyes upon Rafferty, ‘you are the man. I know you by the tone of your voice. I was tolerably well acquainted with the French officers in my division of the army, and amoug them was a Colonel Leroux. There was, lisewise, unquestionably, aColonel Rouselli. 1 knew both these officers well, and was present when the circumstance alluded to to-day took place. This gentleman, who told me he was a lawyer, found me out yesterday, and brought me to give my evidence. As I lay upon the field, [ saw a French officer in ithe uniform of a colonel crawl, as well as the state of his wounds would permit, toward an English officer, who was likewise wounded. With many recommendations to his kindness, he placed an infant in the Englishman’s arms. The Englishman promised to take charge of the child, and the French officer called down upon him the blessing of Heaven.” ‘¢Could you identify the parties?” said the magistrate. ‘‘That is the grand question.” *‘Tcan! 1 know them all.” ‘* Then distinctly state, if you can see in this court the English officer to whom the child was given in charge.” ‘** Yes,” said the Frenchman, pointing to Captain Morton, ‘it is years ago, but that is the man.” ** You are right.” said the captain. And now what,” added the magistrate, ‘‘ was the name of the French officer in the colonel’s uniform who gave the claild to Captain Morton ?” The Frenchman paused and took an old, miserable-looking snuff-box from his pocket. and raising the lid, he handed to the magistrate a small folded piece of paper. ‘ Why,” said the latter, when he had unfolded it, ‘‘ what has this to do with it? This is one half of a twenty-pound note.” “Jtis. That gentleman,” pointing to the lawyer, ‘‘ gave it to me yesterday, with the promise of the other balf to-day, if my evidence was satisfactory; and I am only anxious to request. you, sir, as ] am a poor man, and the money is of consequence to me, to see that I get it from him.” ‘* Fool!” whispered the lawyer, *‘ you should not have said anything about that,” and then he added, aloud, ‘at all events, our worship, I presume we may pay our witnesses what we jke for their time and attention.” * 3 dave nothing to do with all this,” said the magistrate, comicbooks. com