Ye're an honest divil anyway, and I'm
hoping that you found the pitticoats convanient. Come forward, dear, and
fale the fire; Sergeant Hollister won't be hurting you, for the fear of
an ill turn you may be doing him hereafter--will ye, sargeant dear?"
"Depart, ungodly man!" cried the veteran, edging still nearer to Caesar,
but lifting his legs alternately as they scorched with the heat. "Depart
in peace! There is none here for thy service, and you seek the woman in
vain. There is a tender mercy that will save her from thy talons." The
sergeant ceased to utter aloud, but the motion of his lips continued,
and a few scattering words of prayer were alone audible.
The brain of the washerwoman was in such a state of confusion that she
did not clearly comprehend the meaning of her suitor, but a new idea
struck her imagination, and she broke forth,--
"If it's me the man saaks, where's the matter, pray? Am I not a widowed
body, and my own property? And you talk of tinderness, sargeant, but
it's little I see of it, anyway. Who knows but Mr. Beelzeboob here is
free to speak his mind? I'm sure it is willing to hear I am."
"Woman," said the peddler, "be silent; and you, foolish man, mount--arm
and mount, and fly to the rescue of your officer, if you are worthy of
the cause in which you serve, and would not disgrace the coat you
wear.
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