The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 386: what you’re looking at

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

ae 380 THE BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDIS YOUNG CAPTAIN. ‘“ And after a hot siege and many sanguinary en- counters, we assaulted, and would have taken the place at the point of the bayonet, but Maximilian and his staff, giving up all hope of assistance or success of any kind, surrended himself to Escobedo amid the enthusiastic rejoicings of all Mexico. “ Thus, my dear brother, I have recounted to you all that has happened to myself and my gallant band of Boy Soldiers in Mexico, and it remains for meto add but afew words more regarding several individuals whom you know, and to gay in very brief tones what has become of them, “Tn the first place, the old count, who had been with us so long, and distinguished himself so very much in this war, has been offered a command of importance, under General Escobedo, in the regular Republican army. “He did not at first think of accepting it, but the smiles of a famous Mexican beauty won him over. “He at last resolved to settle in the country, and I believe has done so, “May a long life and joy be his share through life, for none of us can forget the white-haired gentleman, or his kindness and gallantry on al occasions. ‘Caspar was also invited to stay in the country, but he refused, and the reason was this :— “A few weeks ago he received a very important communication from a legal gentlemanin England, who discovered, after much labour, that Caspar had been cheated out of-a large fortune by knavish relations, ‘‘ Caspar did not leave us for several weeks, for he could not believe in his good fortune. ‘“Tn the meantime, however, asecond letter came, telling him that those who had so long deprived him of his just. rights had been seized, vast into prison for forgery, and that they had made a full confession, to the effect that Caspar was the only son of Sir Robert Caspar Phillips, in Wales, and that, when a child, he was stole away, and never afterwards heard of, until discovered through the exertions of Mr. Ferret, attorney, of London, “Caspar, as might be expected, departed for Europe at once, bent upon marrying his old sweet- heart, and no doubt will arrive in London long ere this reaches you. “The two American trappers who have so long and faithfully accompanied us in our varied for- tunes have left the army, and are now in the city of Mexico—dancing, and singing, and spending their money like princes. “ Watty, after many troubles, dangers, and lots of frolic, has at last succumbed to the winning ways of a rich young Mexican widow, and married her, “ He intends to visit England, he says, and resolves to astonish every one of his relatives in his costly gold-laced Mexican garments. “The young widow seems very fond of Master Tony, and not many years hence we may expect he will be the happy father of a large family of bouncing boys. “He struts about with gold spurs and riding- whip, sombrero trimmed with gold tassels, and styles himself—Don Antonio Waddleduck, ‘Young Buttons was loth to part with Tony, but does not like Mexico, he says, but prefers to get a sweetheart in merry old England, and hence returns home with me, “Tf I am at all succesful with uncle’s affaira when 12 AUGZ I return, I shall reward the faithfulness of Buttons most handsomely, for he shall never want for any- thing while I live. I have grown to like the merry little imp so much that I could not now part with him, “Hugh Tfacy, than whom a nobler, braver English youth never breathed, is at present un- settled, and has not made up his mind what to do, “Escobedo points him out to all as the finest specimen of a gallant soldier in the whole army, ‘‘ Juarez has, three or four times, had interviews with him, and endeavoured to prevail upon Hugh to stay in Mexico; but has not won him over as yet. “ All sorts of honours would’be showered down ~ upon Hugh Tracy if he were to stay ; but from what Hugh says, I think he will go with us to Europe to see his friends once more, and then, perhaps, he may return to Mexico, and settle down or life. “As to myself, I will not say much, ‘Suffice it for you to know that when Juarez and Escobedo heard of my determination to depart for Europe, they got into a terrible rage, and swore that they would not part with me on any consideration. “One of the grandest and most responsible positions in the Republic has been repeatedly offered for my acceptance; but I have declined them all, for I could never think of leaving old England for ever. You know how ardently I have loved Nelly Lancaster for years. How, then, can the smiles of any fair one, however noble or wealthy, make me prove false to her? “No, Tom, a true soldier is also true to his plighted word. Ilove Nelly Lancaster, and I care not who knows it; and, be she now sick or poor, she is the same to me, and have her for a wife I will, if it costs me my life, “ While finisbing this letter, I cannot but reflect and feel some regret at the number of our gallant boys who have fallen in this war, “The Boy Soldiers were ever foremost on all occasions, and, as a consequence, many, very many, have fallen on the field of glory, “Few, very few, of those gallant lads who fol- lowed me from Bromley Hall School, have lived to see the end of this bloody war; but those that are alive, though bearing many honourable scars, and entitled to rich rewards for their heroism, have determined to return home with me, and, in the bosom of their families, tell the tale of distant wars around the merry crackling fires in their own homesteads, ‘At this moment, and before I close, I have received a commission sent you by Juarez, who wishes you to take a command in the Republican navy. Whether you will do this or not remains with yourself to decide. “One word more, and I close this, my last letter. “We are coming to England by the next mail steamer, ‘Hach and all of us that remain of the Boy Soldiers have been handsomely rewarded with honours, decorations, gold, and continual feasting, and all we can say as our parting word is— “*Success to the Republic of Mexico, and its brave people ! ’ “Yours, &e., “PRANK FORD,” U GComicbooks (E@) im