Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1826-07-29
MISCELI LI.ANX.
From the London Literary Gazette.
THE SOLDIERS BOY.

ALL OOADAAbAs ~ OOAs
Towards the close of tho year 1776,
when the old American war las it is now
iamiliarly named) ragged with unabated Vi
gor on both sides, it was deemed expe-
dent by the Legislative authorities of
Great Britain, to send further auxiliaries to
their harrassed forces in that quarter Of
the world; for which purpose his majesty's
regiment ofinfantry, then stationed in
Cork, received orders to proceed thither
as soon as possible.
The hustle prevalent on a regiments
| leaving its peaceful home for scenes such
as il was likely soon to be engaged in, is
much more easily conceived than descri-
bed; yet every heart was gay, none felt the
slightest emotion at leaving a place so en-
deared to them all, by ties both of kindred
and friendship, save private VIM. Jhomp-
son, ofCapt DIS company; on him
and on him only did the summons fall joy
loss, for on the very day the route was
communicated to the corps, his wife, the
fond partner of all his griefs and all his
| joys, after short, but painful illness,
breathed her last, leaving him the father Of
| fine infant but few days old, and the
only pledge of their mutual affection.
The dilemma into which the poor SOL
der was thrown by this melancholy de-
| cree Of Providence, cannot be imagined.
To carry the babe with him was utterly i'm
possibe-to leave it behind-"O what will
become ofm darling chld"? he exclaim-
ed, as he wrung his hands in utter hope
lessness: 90 Mary! Mary! we shall never
meet again! q never' never! but your lit
tie babe, Mary" His heart melted with
in him, as he spoke this, and he fell, quite
exhausted, on the dead body of his much
lamented wife.
All who witnessed this melancholy pic
ture, were in tears, and, Of course, it would
be useless to tell the number of persons
frequenting an Irish wake, as all must be
| acquainted with it more or less; and in
deed this happened to be no small assem-
bly,. As yet no one attempted 10 disturb
the sluxury Of woe" in which the poor
soldier was indulging, until Peggy O'Brien
shook the tear from her eye, and stood
erect in tho chimney-corner, that undis-
puted place having been assigned to her
on such occasions for nearly half CEN
tury. No one could perform the ceremo-
nies or regulate the funeral cry like her,
and after sitting up for two or three nights
successfully, it might be supposed that
her vocal powers would become impaired; /;
but It was not so, for when the day of in
terment arrived, her well known voice
was heard first, last, and loudcst in the
lullagone. "Poor SOUL" says she, draw
ing from her pocket a horn box with
rudely adapted wooden stopper, which she
tapped gently with her fore aud middle
finger, ere she opened it, and extracting a
pinch thereirom-"poor soul my heart
warns to him, and the dickonse be in me
if don't do him good turn. Biddy Muir
ply, child" says she, ego across and rouse
up the poor jontleman, and tell him,
! cushla, that | wants him, and It's not for
nothing neither" So Biddy went over to
the unfortunate man, and after some time,
got him to listen, and told him Mrs. o.
Brien wanted to speak to him in private;
so, after a few moments, he walked slowly
towards her, the room being previously
cleared ofall its visitors, young and old.
"Come hither my poor sowP' says she, as
the soldier approached; "come hither and
sit down along side of me, till l tells you
how will do my endeavors for you, and
put you in the way of having your little
garsoon provided for" SO down he sat;
and Peggy thus began-"You must know
sir" says she, "that there is most wor-
thy man living on that Mall, Mr. NJ,
the best friend to the poor and forsaken
the city ever produced; o you never seed
The like of him; and if you leave your
child at his door, it will be as safe and
sound as if your poor woman there, God
rest her s,w! had the minding Of it."-
"Ah! but Mrs. O'Brien, how could that
be done"' "Tut, tut, tut" says she,
Every easily, you have only to get hand
basket and put the child in it towards the
coming on of night, and I'll call for you,
and we will 60 together; and if you leaves
it all to me, never you fear, III manage it,
for, as open confession is good for the
sowl, tits not the first small marchant dis
posed of in that way; so you must do as
tells you, as am ditarminedto sarve YOU"
Poor Thompson expressed his gratitude as
well as he could, and readily consented to
Mrs. O'Brien's proposal, as a last and for
lorn resource. So when evening came
she called, according to promise, and, find
ing every thing ready, they set out to-
gether; she carrying the basket WHICH
contained the child wrapped up in fannels,