The Soldier's Wife — page 36: what you’re looking at

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

THE SOLDIER’S WIFE. had he wanderea about the country in search of employment; and evef¥ evening bad he re- turned unsuccessf 1) to his little lodging at Mr. Bates’s house. He had not omitted to visit the trysting-place of love on the bank of the stream in the grove in the hope that Lucy per- haps might be there: but not once did she make her appearance—and he therefore feared that she was kept a close prisoner at home. Gloomy and dark were his prospects .as day after day behcld his fruitless search for ermploy- ment; and day after day likewise did the des- pondeacy of his soul feepen. He had hoped until the very last that he should perhaps ob- tain work so near to Oakleigh that be might still continue a resident there: but at length he was compelled to come to the conclusion that this hope existed no longer. . Carefully as he had husbanded his little resources, they were now completely exhausted ; and on the seventh evening afier he had partaken of a crust on his return fiom his day’s weary wanderings, he found himseif without the means of procuring the morrow's breakfast. It? was about nine o'clock that he was sitting in his little bed-room, reflecting mournfully upon his position, when Mr. Bates slowly opened the “door ; and looking in, said, “ How miserable you seem, Fred I can’t bear to see you in this state. Why, what ails you, wan? Never des- pom: I don't.” . “You kuow how I am situated, Mr. Bates,” replied Frederick, alluding to his unsuccessful endeayors to obtain work. “I only ask to eat the bread of honest industry ; but even this is denied niee What am | todo?” “What are you to do?’ cried Bates. “ Why, if J was in your situation, aud a fine, young, strapping fellow as you are, 1 know what | - rr would do,” “Ah!” ejaculated Lonsdale, with a kind of sturt; for he at once comprehénded the little barber’s allusion, : “To be sure! I see you understand Why, Fred, you was never made for a laborer: you ought to be an-@fficer and a gentleman.” “ An officer and a gentleman?’ echoed Lons- dale, gazing upon the barber with a look of surprise. “ What dv you mean ?” “J mean, that promotion from the ranks is quite common now,” replied Bates, “That re- cruiting-sergeant who is in the vitage, told me a lot of cases of that kind which had come to his knowledge. It was quite in-a conversational way, mind you—and with no particular object in view; and therefore to be fully believed. A young fellow like you, would svon get made a corporal, and then a sergeaut; and if you be- haved well, you would be made’ an officer. There’s no doubt of that; and if you was to go into the army—wlfy, in a few years’ time, you would come back tu Oakleiyh, astonishing us all with epaulettés on your shoulders and a sash round your waist.” + Frederick Lonsdale had gradually become thoughtful as the barber thus spoke; and he fell into a deep reverie. Who can wonder if bright visions presented themselves to his mind ¢ It is often in the: brightest of those visions that the wounded and crushed spirit seeks refuge ‘ . . 28 ftom the darkest despair. Reverié » frequently, to even the strongest minds, what opium is ta the Oriental, who luxuriates m the paradise- creating drug. Thus was it, now with Frederick Lonsdale. Was he not young ?’—and was not Lucy Davis younger still? Was-he not con- vinced of her fidelity ?—and what would be the interval of a few years.at their time of life, if at the expiration thereof he could eome back to the village, having achieved for, himself an independent position, and tserefore in cireum stances to claim her as his bride? Ob! if thi eould be accomplished, would not it prove a crowning reward for the delay that should take place in the meantime? Yes—assuredly the soldiers career was, the one whieh now offered erick Lonsdale. “Mr. Bates,” he said, suddenly starting frone his chair, “Iam decided. I have no more mo- ney. If I remain another week in your house, I shall perhaps be unable to pay your rent; and IT know you cannot afford to be without it, Besides, I have no longer the means of procuring bread—and I wiil not subsist upon charity. My mind is therefore made up; and to-morrow morning I will go to the recruiting’ sergéant.” “Why not to-night? asked Bates, resolved to strike while the iron was hot. “I am just about to toddle up to the Oak to meet a few friends, and the sergeant is safe to be there in the parlor, man—quite # gentleman, indeed “No, | will not go to the public-house,” re- plied Lonsdale; “but as m¥ resolve is taken, You will find him a very agreeable 9 | have not the slightest objection to finish the: matter this evening.” “In that case, come along with me, and I will eall Langley out to speak to you.” | Frederick Lonsdale accordingly accompanied Mr. Bates to the “Royal Oak; but: he waited outside while the barber entered. The same scene was taking plaeein the parlor which we have described in an earlier chapter—that is to say, some of the tradesmen were assembled there io listen to Sergeant Langley’s wonderful stories; ard he, in all the glory of his uniform and the stateliness of his rank, was smoking his pipe, quaffing his ale, and holding forth upon the wonders he had seen in foreign countries, Mr. Bates entered the parlor with a mysterious look; and, walking straight up to the sergeant, he whispered in his ear, “It’s all nght; Lons- dale will enlist.” @ The sergeant laid down his pipe in a grave and deliberate manner; and rising from his chair, obeyed the barber’s signal to follow him from the room, They went forth together; and in the clear starlight which poured its silver flood upon the earth, they bebeld Lonsdale pacing to and*fro opposite the public-house. “Fred, permit me to introduce you to Mr, Langley,’ said the barber. | “Mr. Lonsdale, [ am rejoiced to make your acquaintance,’ observed the sergeant, taking the young man’s hand and shaking it with what ap- peared to be a cordial warmth. “ I understand that you have made up your mind to serve your King. It-isu noble resolution, and gallantly taken. Why,” excluimed Langley, stepping bright prospects to the contemplation of Fred- CONNIEDOOKS (EO)