19G A Warrior of the Nineteenth Century. [FEB. 



judge from appearances, some weighty consideration pressed heavily on 

 them both. 



" Well, my dear boy Harwison," said the Guardsman, doubtless 

 meaning to say Harrison, but having some difficulty in pronouncing the 

 letter R. " I do consider this the most frwendly act, the most disin- 

 terwested piece of frwendship I've ever expewienced 'pon my soul 

 I do." 



" Nay, niy dear boy," returned the other, ' ' no thanks you think 

 too much of my little exertion in your favour. Though, to serve a friend, 

 I will say it is not a trifle that can stop me." 



" Twifle ! my dear fellow/' said the Guardsman " twifle do you 

 call it ? If it were only a twifle I should say little, but serving a 

 frwend at the wisk of your life is no twifle, egad ! 'pon my soul it 

 isn't." 



I doubted the correctness of my remaining within hearing of a con- 

 versation of so serious and important a nature, and therefore moved the 

 window a little higher, that the noise might give them warning of my vici- 

 nity. It made no difference. They did not move from their position. The 

 guardsman, indeed, discomposed himself for an instant by casting up his 

 eyes ; but seeing the occasion of the noise, he yawned and resumed his 

 attitude. 



" Yes, Tom," said the military Exquisite, <e this is the only dwawback 

 on the service ; and I can't for the life of me see why the City Light 

 Horse Volunteers should not be placed on this cursed duty. It would 

 suit them much better than the Guards. It is not the thing for gentle- 

 men it isn't, 'pon my soul." 



" They would be much more at home here, than the Guards, certainly," 

 said Harrison. 



" I would almost as soon be sent into countwy quarters/' continued 

 the Guardsman; " there are farmers' daughters and people who can amuse 

 one there 'pon my soul I would." 



" It is devilish hard on you, I must admit," rejoined his friend. 



" Hard on us, my dear fellow ! it's banishment ; positively banishment 

 from the common wights of civilized life. I would as soon have a com- 

 mission in the archers of King Tamyhamyhe of the Sandwich Islands ! 

 'pon my soul I would." 



" It is exceedingly severe, I must say." 



" Severe ! my dear fellow, it's atwocious/' said the Guardsman, almost 

 emphatically, " positively atwocious ; the genewal complaint of the ser- 

 wice ; to be sent to this cursed jail Oh ! it's monstwous ! 'pon my soul 

 it is !" 



" Monstrous hardship indeed," said Harrison. 



" Hardship ! my dear boy. There are few can bear hardships better 

 than myself ; I can make my dinner of a broil'd chicken and a pint of 

 hock at any time, on necessity, and in winter I have more than once slept 

 in a room without a fire ! 'pon my soul I have !" 



" Well, never mind/' said Harrison, " it is but for a short period." 



" Short pewiod ! my dear fellow. You've an odd idea of a short pewiod. 

 If the place was bearwable indeed ; if one's frwends could come; but then 

 that cwuel distance from town, and that impenetwable barwier, the city, 

 wenders that impossible 'pon my soul it does." 



" Not impossible," remarked Harrison, " they can surely come as I 

 did." 



