The Argosy — page 226: what you’re looking at

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

A Word for Our Militia. 211 of David longing for the cool fresh water from his own well at Beth- lehem, and the three brave men breaking through the enemy to bring it. Again following Miss Robinson’s example, I talked of the good soldiers in the Bible, and read the naconniny bit about young Asa nl “who was as fleet of foot as a young roe.’ It was agreed to give the thirty men who had frequented the room a tea-drinking on the day of the review. And by the way, when I was settling with our baker’s wife, and speaking of the men, she told me, two or three years ago, four young militiamen were billeted in the house opposite her. ‘‘ They used often to buy little things from me,” she said, ‘‘and no men could have behaved more properly. One was married, and his wife did not like being left at Birmingham alone, so she came with him. She used to ask me to give her a bit of work that she might earn enough to pay her railway fare ; so-I let her scour out the shop for me. Poor young woman! she wasn’t far from being laid up, and wasn’t quite fit for that work ; but she was so anxious to get a little money together, she would do it, poor thing.” Ah me! I thought, was that all the youngwife deserved from us, whose husband was training for his country’s service? Lazarus had been at my door, and I knew it not. , Our tea-drinking was announced for half-past six ; but, as some of the men could not come before eight, we did not begin till then. All who had arrived early were perfectly quiet and interested whilst I read aloud one of the S. P. C. K. books, ‘‘ Anne Gale’s Story.” Four men at the far end of the room left their games, and joined the circle to listen. There was some pork-pie and some cake for each man; but what they thought most of was some strawberries; and, with a view of im- pressing my horror of drink, I brought in a large round basket of cherries, and, holding it up for them all to see, I said, “ Buy your own cherries, remember.” There was a hum of applause, and several men said “The best book that ever was written.” Good Mrs. B., with her kind face and white hair, like Mary of old, thinking of the better part, went round saying a word of good counsel to each, and I noticed how quietly and attentively they listened. Several other ladies were present helping in various ways. We had pretty blue Prayer-books for the five who had attended the Bible class, and a story-book for each of the others. One said, ‘‘ Please, m’m, if you don’t mind, give me ‘ Our Father’s Care,’ Mrs. Sewell’s ballad, with coloured pictures. At nine we all sang ‘“‘God save the Queen,’ as they must be in their quarters by half-past nine. ‘‘ Please, m’m,” said young D., linger- ing till the last, ‘let me have ‘ Anne Gale’s Story’ for little Dick, will I feel certain, by the hearty shake as ‘each man took my hand, that: the kind feelings awakened by those evenings in that room will not COMMICMOOOKS. ECO