I shall not attempt to describe the anguish of my spirit at this heavy disappointment; at first it seemed to wither up my faculties, as if the only incentive to exertion was entirely destroyed, and all my future prospects were thenceforward to be dark and dreary. Many years have flown away since, and I am now an old post captain; but though I have seen hundreds of beautiful and pleasing women, I am still single. My affection for the devoted Agnes--my first, my only love--remains unshaken, and I look forward to that happy union in the blissful realms of immortality which knows neither separation nor sorrow. FOOTNOTES [7] Three miles. [8] Half-past ten o’clock. THE VETERAN SOLDIER. “The brave poor soldier ne’er despise, Nor treat him as a stranger: For still he’ll prove his country’s stay, In every hour of danger.” The young urchins were taking their last five minutes of play on the beautiful village green at S----, in Devonshire, previous to returning to the school-room for the afternoon, and in the midst of them stood a tall but aged man, who appeared to be regulating the game with all the accuracy of a thorough tactician. I stood watching the interesting group of children (of all ages) whose actions were guided by the tall old man, and witnessed their parting when the sonorous bell called them from their sports. They assembled round the aged mentor, and in a broad Irish accent he bade them mind their “larning,” and be good “childer.” I entered into conversation with the veteran, and found he was a pensioner on the army, who had also a little property to live upon in the village of S----, which had been left him by an officer whose life he had preserved at the battle of Talavera. Having an hour or two to spare, I requested to hear something of his history, and with the garrulity natural to old age, he readily complied with my request. We seated ourselves, on a rustic bench beneath a giant sycamore, and he began by telling me--but I cannot do better than give it in his own language.