300 Peter, a Icrle: Feb: 22* 



and the inliabitents of great cities look down with con- 

 tempt on the art that feeds them. Theresa was as unable 

 as myself to follow any othef businefs. She was mise- 

 r .ble •, Ihe trembled to look forward ; we mutually con- 

 cealed from each other our sufFerings — a torture a thou- 

 sand times more horrid than the sufferings themselves. 

 At length, having no. other resource, I enlisted into a re- 

 gimen', of horse, garrisoned at Egra. My bounty-money 

 I gave to Theresa, who received it with a Hood of tears. 



" My pay kept us fiom starving ; and the little works 

 of Theresa, for indigence stimulated her invention, help* 

 ed to keep a cover over our heads. About this time, a 

 child coming to the world, linked our affections closer. 



" It was you, my dear Gertrude ; Theresa and myself 

 looked upon you as the pledge of our constant' love, and 

 the hope of our old age. Every child that heaven has 

 given us we have said the same thing, and we have never 

 been mistaken. You were sent to nurse, for my wile 

 cauld not suckle you, and llae was inconsolable on the oc- 

 casion. She pafsed the live-long day working at your 

 cradle ; while I, by my attention to my duty, w'as endea- 

 vouring to gain the esteem and friendftiip of my officers. 



" Frederick, our captain, was only tv^enty years of age. 

 He was distinguifliable among the whole corps by his af- 

 fability and his figure. He took a liking to me. I told 

 him my adventures. He saw Theresa, — and was inte- 

 rested in our fate. He daily promised he would speak to 

 Aimar for us j and as my absolute dependence was on 

 him, I had his word tliat 1 Ihould have my liberty as soon 

 as he had made my father-in-law my friend. Frederick 

 hid already written to our village, but had got no answer. 



" Time was running ovc^r our heads. My young cap- 

 tain seemed as eager as ever j but Theresa grew every 

 day more and more dejected. When I inq^uired into tlie; 



