The Argosy — page 223: what you’re looking at

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

208 A Word for Our Militia. always open. Large texts and maps cover the walls, and the only picture is one of our Queen. “My noble heart went pit a pat” as I heard steps on the stairs, and two redcoats made their appearance. One, a young fellow about two and-twenty ; the other older. I rose and welcomed them, and they took their seats. I followed Miss Robinson as well as I could, showed the writing-materials and picture-cards ; asked if they wished to send money home. Young D. said he would come on Friday and send some to his mother ; he came almost every day, and on Friday brought two shillings, which I exchanged for stamps, wrote his letter, and enclosed them. I told them we all hoped they would find the room a comfort. They might write, or read, or amuse themselves quietly ; all we required was attention to the rules of the house fastened on the wall, which are, that no noise, swearing, or bad language, and no intoxicating liquors, are allowed. They asked for copy-books, and began to write, after looking at the ‘ Graphic” and other illustrated papers; and D. said how glad he was there was a room to come to ; he was not very comfortable at his billet. Next day more than a dozen men came, two or three in the morning, but the greater number in the evening. Many asked me to write their letters. Those who could write themselves brought the envelopes to be directed, admiring my writing when I had addressed them. I told them about Miss Robinson. I showed the picture-cards, and said stamps would go between two safely home, and I could give stamps for their money. I was quite pleased when six hot pennies were pulled out. I let them choose the picture-card or the sheet of paper on which their letter was to be written. I had brought paper with wood__ cuts of different celebrated places, such as you get at the sea-side, and was always asked not to write on the back of the picture, as they would like to frame it at home.” I never could stay later than seven, so I told them all to come early when they wanted letters written; sometimes a scribe among them would write for himself or a friend, but in general they all came to me to write to their mother, father, wife, or ‘‘the young woman as I’m keeping company with.” I think they liked my asking explanation of the different sentences I had to write, such as, “ Mind and keep Tommy out of the road.” “Who is Tommy?” I said. “* My little boy; ; he’s over two-and-a-half, and he’s always running out and getting in the way of the horses, so I’m telling my wife to keep an eye on him.” And D., writing to his mother, after asking for his sister and her child, “ Tell Dick to mind his schooling,” (then in parenthesis) ‘ F wish had minded mine more, so that I could write myself now.” Gomicbooks.¢co