Page:Interesting stories.pdf/2



—" thee success, said a clergyman, putting something into an old soldier's hand"Adieu!—Heaven return it thee!" exclaimed the soldier, with a look that spoke more to the heart than all the expressions of gratitude that ever were uttered. His wife curtsied. "God bless you both!" said the good divine, and rode on. The veteran fixed his eyes on him in silence, till he turned out of sight. "What is it?" inquired the soldier's wife. "A guinea!" replied the soldier wrapping it up carefully in a paper, and putting it into a greasy vellum pocket-book, the repository of his humble treasures. It had been his companion in all adventures, from childhood—and a faithful one. He esteemed it as a friend; and, unlike modern friends, it kept every secret with which it was entrusted inviolate.—It contained—the pride of his heart—a memorial, in his own hand-writing, of all the battles he had fought, the wounds he had received; up to that day on which the ruthless ball tore away the very arm, which had so often wielded the instrument of vengeance against the enemies of his country, from his scarred body. Here the heroic narrative was deficient; but the remaining stump vouched for him—how much more impressively! Through this misfortune her obtained his discharge; that, too, was preserved