The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 163: what you’re looking at

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

78Q THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. ‘sWe buy these things, you see, for the sake of the m2ts' only, and itis only the price of the gold we can offer, as the ring will be broken up and melted.” cat ial said Mabel; ‘‘ perhaps you can direct me to the — road ?” | She named the road that led toward that part of the country whence she had lately come against her will, being suddenly seized by a vague idea of taking that road hack again, and find- ing her way thither by herself, and unaided. She was conscious that she had not means to insure traveling by any other convey- ance than that which nature had provided her with, and she thought she could accomplish it, especially pressed as she was by circumstances. The shopkeeper directed her on her route, without asking any questions; and she walked onward, and never rested until she saw the signsof London were fast fading from before her eyes. How light her heart felt in comparison to what she had felt when cooped up in that lonely house, where she had seen what she never hoped to see again! The sun was high up in the heavens, and she felt the fatigue of walking, for her strength had diminished of late, because she had been but poorly cared for by the mendicant, who had sup- plied her with poor and indifferent food; her confinement and mental disquietude all preyed upon her, and reduced her strength. She determined that the next quiet unpretending-looking place she came to, she would stop for refreshments and rest. It was not very long before she came to one that suited her taste, and appeared all she wanted. It was a little, lone ale-house, with benches that were unoccupied; and then the house, too, at that hour, was empty. The inmates were employed in their domes- tic duties, and preparing all for the afternoon. Mabel entered the little parlor, in which were several highly-polished chairs and tables, and the floor had recently been sanded. There was a good fire in the grate, which burned brightly and pleasantly as she entered the room. Mabel sat herself down ona seat near the fire, and waited until some one entered the room. She did not remain here long before the landlady came, to whom she stated her desire for food and rest. The landlady was a fat, comfortable, cheerful-looking body, and without ask- ing any questions set about furnishing her young guest with a good and substantial breakfast. This was speedily accomplished, and when Mabel had satisfied her hunger she was shown to a neat little bed-chamber up-stairs, where stood a small, comfort- able-looking couch, which invited her to repose. Weary, fever- ish. and exhausted, Mabel dropped upon the couch and soon fell into a deep sleep, from which she did not awake till some hours after dawn of the following day. Having completed her toilet, and feeling somewbat cheerful and refreshed, she descended to breakfast, and found the !and- Jady engaged in reading a morning journal. The latter laid down her paper as her guest entered the apartment, and cheerfully comicbooks. com