The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 288: what you’re looking at

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

THH CHILD OF WATERLOO. 285 as if heaven and earth depended for their existence upon the speed with which he could reach Morton Hall. At length he did make the best of his way to the village. This was the last stage; and then after that he could bear no more delays, but he hastened on foot to the hall, and in an instant he rushed into the parlor, where Mrs. Morton was seated. ‘‘ Hurrah, ma’am—hurrah! The lost found! Oh, bedad, mis- tress, dear, have ye heard the news?” Mrs. Morton looked up in amazement at the sound of the well- known voice of Rafferty Brolickbones; but her surprise was by no means lessened when she beheld the heated face and the ex- cited accents of the faithful serving man: for he was, as some of the servants afterward declared, like a barrel of yeast which had forced the bung out, and was working its way out of its place of confinement. ‘* Why, Rafferty, have you come?” ‘‘Ob, bedad! haven’t 1; the captain, Mr. Henry, and Miss Mabel and all. Yes, here we are, or soon shall be, which is all the same, or next toit. Oh. bedad—but——” “Stop, Rafferty. Where is your master, and Mabel, and Henry—where are they all? Tell me that, Rafferty.” ‘‘ Indeed, ma’am, they’re all on the road; and I was sent for- ward to prepare you all against their coming. To get the old Hall in proper order; to get the ple together; and won’t we have eating, and drinking, and dancing, and shouting, and guns firing ?”’ “ They are not likely to be here to-night ?” ‘Oh, no, ma’am—oh, no. They came down very slowly. They had been so fatigued and worn out in London, and Miss Mabel had been so ill-used, so locked up and put about, that I wonder she is a living sow! at this moment.” ‘Poor thing—poor, dear child! The captain wrote to me, and informed me of a great deal; but he said there was much more to be told than he could possibly find time to write.” ‘* Ay, indeed, he may say that. ma’am. He wouldn’t get it all into a bible, if he were to try. [’m sure it'll take a blessed time to tell it. It’ll go back from Easter to Easter and a Whitsuntide over, Pl warrant.” ‘‘' Well, well—you had better go and get some rest, and seme refreshment, since you have nothing more to tell me, and, as I know they are well and coming, I must rest satisfied.” Rafferty, upon this, went into the servants’ hall, where he be- came an object of great admiration. The servants collected around him in great numbers, to hear all he had to relate, which he did, never suppressing anything that came uppermost in his mind, which greatly increased their wonderment and admira- tion. ‘‘ Lor’, Rafferty!” said one. ‘‘ Did you, indeed, Rafferty ?” said another. ‘‘ Why, you are a regular fire-eater, you are, to be sure.” “‘Ay, bedad, so. I had need be, for there was no chance of get- ting away; it was hard work at sucha time. Queer work it wag over the top of the tiles, I tell you.” comicbooks. com