The Child of Waterloo, or, The Horrors of the Battle-Field — page 62: what you’re looking at

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

THE CHILD OF WATERLOO. 59 ran after Jem, closely followed by Captain Morton and Toggs, whose surprise at what was occurring knew no bounds. Mr. Ormonde, however, found that he was wrong in his con- fecture; for, in the excitement of the moment. Jem did betake imself to the chamber where lay the body, and placed his hand flat upon the breast of the corpse. ‘* Now,” he cried, ‘ pitying, as I do, from my soul, this gen- tleman’s sad fate, and execrating his murderer, be he whom he may, I declare my own entire innocence of the deed, and call upon Heaven to defend truth by some signal act of its justice, if Iam guilty.” Toggs looked aghast, and Captain Morton betrayed much in- terest in what was proceeding. ‘“‘Such a scene as this,” said Mr. Ormonde, ‘‘can have no effect in inducing me to swerve from what I consider my strict line of duty; you will consider yourself to be in custody.” ‘*Oh! Jem—Jem,” cried Toggs, coming toward him, and hold- ing out his hand. “upon my soul I don’t believe you did it.” ‘“*Thank—thank you, Toggs,” said Jem, as the tears rushed to his eyes, and he clasped’ his master’s hand, ‘*‘ thank you: that’s like you, now. God bless you for those words, Toggs; I’m a fool, but not a murderer,” | ““T know you ain’t, Jem, and I'll sell the very pewter pots of the old Morton Arms to see you through it.” ‘‘There need be no such sacrifice made,” said Captain Morton; “‘T will take care that ne injustice is done him. These are cir- cumstances of very grave suspicion; but he shall want for no advice or assistance that money can secure.” ‘‘God forbid,” said Mr. Ormonde, ‘‘ that any injustice should be done to the poorest, or the most friendless; no one would rejoice more than I should royself at these circumstances being all cleared up in a manner compatible with a perfect conviction of your innocence, Jem.” ‘‘Thank you all—thank you.” ‘But you, Iam sure, would rather yourself that a full investi- gation took place, than that you should labor under a load of suspicion which otherwise might never be removed from your name.” **T’d ratber die, sir, a hundred times over.” ‘‘‘Very well; then you have no objection to accompany Spurgin ?” ‘* None in the least, sir; [ll go with him. Do with me what you will, but don’t think me such a dastardly villain as to C a fellow-creature’s life, as this poor gentleman’s has been en. ‘Tt is the duty of all intrusted with the administration of jus- tice,” said Mr. Ormonde, ‘ to consider every one innocent until proved to be guilty.” CHAPTER XIV. THE rapidity with which the news of any strange and mar- velous, or horrifying character travels, is truly wonderful, It comicbooks. com