England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
Bervie had just revived a poor wretch with a drink from an overthrown
bowl of water, which still had a few drops left in it, when he felt
a hand laid on his shoulder from behind. He turned and discovered a
National Guard, who had been watching his charitable action. "Give a
helping hand to that poor fellow," said the citizen-soldier, pointing to
a workman standing near, grimed with blood and gunpowder. The tears were
rolling down the man's cheeks. "I can't see my way, sir, for crying,"
he said. "Help me to carry that sad burden into the next street." He
pointed to a rude wooden litter, on which lay a dead or wounded man, his
face and breast covered with an old cloak. "There is the best friend
the people ever had," the workman said. "He cured us, comforted us,
respected us, loved us. And there he lies, shot dead while he was
binding up the wounds of friends and enemies alike!"
"Whoever he is, he has died nobly," Bervie answered "May I look at him?"
The workman signed that he might look.
Bervie lifted the cloak--and met with Doctor Lagarde once more.
MISS BERTHA AND THE YANKEE.
[PRELIMINARY STATEMENTS OF WITNESSES FOR THE DEFENSE, COLLECTED AT THE
OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR.]
No. 1.--Miss Bertha Laroche, of Nettlegrove Hall, testifies and says:--
I.
TOWARD the middle of June, in the year 1817, I went to take the waters
at Maplesworth, in Derbyshire, accompanied by my nearest relative--my
aunt.
I am an only child; and I was twenty-one years old at my last birthday.
On coming of age I inherited a house and lands in Derbyshire, together
with a fortune in money of one hundred thousand pounds. The only
education which I have received has been obtained within the last two or
three years of my life; and I have thus far seen nothing of Society,
in England or in any other civilized part of the world. I can be a
competent witness, it seems, in spite of these disadvantages. Anyhow, I
mean to tell the truth.
My father was a French colonist in the island of Saint Domingo. He died
while I was very young; leaving to my mother and to me just enough to
live on, in the remote part of the island in which our little property
was situated. My mother was an Englishwoman. Her delicate health made it
necessary for her to leave me, for many hours of the day, under the care
of our household slaves. I can never forget their kindness to me; but,
unfortunately, their ignorance equaled their kindness. If we had been
rich enough to send to France or England for a competent governess we
might have done very well. But we were not rich enough. I am ashamed to
say that I was nearly thirteen years old before I had learned to read
and write correctly.
Four more years passed--and then there came a wonderful event in our
lives, which was nothing less than the change from Saint Domingo to
England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account