The Soldier's Wife — page 86: what you’re looking at

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

THE SOLDIERS WIFE. 89 ene hap} ened to inquire for them? But if |her tears—stifling tne convulsive sobs which they adopted the latter alternative, would/made her heart swell almost to bursting—-she uhey not be compelled to break up their little!set about the immediate preparations for their home, renounce all in a moment the certain|departure. and present means of obtaining a livelihood,| Mrs. Harrison, the worthy widow-woman, absorb in travelling expenses whatsoever funds|was really shocked when so suddenly and they could still command, and perhaps plunge|unexpectedly informed that circumstances com- themselves into penury while vainly and in-/pelled them to leave Carlisle. She knew that effectually struggling to re-establish their posi-|her lodgers had no debts—for they paid their tion in another place? It was the middle of }way with the most scrupulous punctuality ; winter too—a hard winter—with every chance/and Lucy, not choosing to descend to an of a prolonged severity of nipping cold ; and as|falsehood, had not given her to understand that the young couple looked around their comfort-|they had still better prospects elsewhere. Mrs. able apartments, they naturally recoiled from|Harrison could not ask for explanations, ag the idea of exposing their tender babe to the}none were volunteered; and therefore her sur- probabilities of a chill, cheerless garret, with|prise was equal to her sorrow. For the greater the bare walls frowning in bleakness upon|{portion of the night succeeding the day on vshem—no fire in the grate—no bed upon the|which the resulve of departure was taken, foor—and destitution as their stern, pitiless|Frederick sat up writing notes to the parents guest. But still, as they thus discoursed upon|ot his pupils,—stating that circumstances com- the two alternatives presented to their contem-|pelled him thus abruptly to give up his school, plation,—discoursed, too, more with the elo-jand warmly thanking those whose patronage quent language of the eyes than in utteredjand friendship he had enjoyed. It was a sad, words respecting the saddest portion of their/sad task: but his mind was made up with prospects,—Lucy besought her husband to|fortitude. Lucy would not retire to rest: she understand her well when she assured him|pretended to have yet many things to pack up, that if he considered a removal absolutely |that she might remain with her husband; and necessary for his safety, she was prepared tojin her endearing caresses and soothing words, enter with fortitude upon this new phase injdid he experience some degree of consolation. their career,—adding that as he knew best, it} When morning came, and the school was was only for him to decide and she would be}assembled as usual, Frederick addressed his content. Lonsdale could not bear the idea of |little scholars, bidding them all an affectionate exposing his wife and child to the dreariest|farewell—giving them some excellent advice— ehances and the direst privations, for the pur-jand counselling them to bear in their minds pose of flying from an evil which after all|the precepts which he had endeavored to might be only imaginary; and therefore hejinculeate. He then dismissed them with the resolved that they should remain where they |notes to thelr parents; and when the room were, and trust in heaven. was cleared and he stood alone there, he could Several days now passed; and though Lucy |not help giving way to a sudden outburst of smiled as sweetly as ever, yet it was impossible|grief. At that instant the door opened—two the husband and wife could conceal from them-|arms were thrown fondly round his neck—and selves that their happiness had received aja suttly murmuring voice implored him to be blow—that a sad change had entered their|comforted. Again and again did he press his dwelling—and that they could no longer sit|beloved wife to his breast ; and as she exerted down and discourse with any confidence on|all her fortitude, he felt alike strengthened and the future. They even felt, as they partook}consoled. of one meal, that they might not be together} The preparations for departure were now to sit down to the next; and when they retired|completely made; and in a few minutes a to rest at night, it was with the sickening|porter would come to take the boxes to the thought that on the following night they might|coach-office. When their rent was paid, they be torn asunder. In spite of all her efforts to}had exactly four pounds in money left: but maintain a cheerful aspect, Lucy grew visibly|Frederick had a watch, and Lucy had her own paler day by day—while Frederick also be-|little articles of jewellery—and therein existed came haggard and careworn. They forced|the means of obtaining additional resources, themselves to eat lest they should too fearfully|Thus they were not without the hope of being reveal to each other the state of their thoughts; |able to manage for some little time to come. The but ag | had no appetite—and often did their|porter made his appearance for the lusggage— hearts heave against their food. The bread|the farewells to Mrs. Harrison were said—and which they earned by their honest industry,}our hero and heroine were issuing forth from was no longer sweetened by the sense that it}the house, the latter with the child in her might be eaten in security. Thus, at the expi-|arms, when they started back in dismay on ration of a fortnight Lonsdale was compelled|beholding an individual in a red coat rapidly to arrive at the conclusion that this state of |approaching up the street, followed by two or things could not last, and that if they con-|three persons in plain clothes. They did not tinued such a mode of existence, they would|at once recognize that man who wore the uni- be killing themselves by inches. Straining his|form: the circumstance itself had struck them wife to his breast, he spoke out frankly, saying|as fearfully ominous: but the second glance that they must remove elsewhere. Lucy at|which they flung towards the individual, once convinced her husband that he might|showed them that he was none other than Ser © reckon upon her fortitude; and keeping back|geant Langley! (COLML ©) (OVO KS,(EO)