human
Where is Tom?
gpt
Oh deary me! cried the old woman, putting her apron up to her eyes;
human
Good heavens! what is the matter?
gpt
The matter, Jacob, replied old Tom, stretching out his two wooden legs, and placing his hands upon his knees,
human
Yes; that's as sartain as it's true; and what's worse, I'm told the regiment is ordered to the West Indies. So, what with fever o' mind and yellow fever, he's food for the land crabs, that's sartain. I think now, continued the old man, brushing a tear from his eye with his fore-finger,
gpt
Don't say so, Tom; don't say so!
human
O Jacob! beg pardon if I'm too free now; but can't you help us?
gpt
I will if I can, depend upon it; but tell me how this happened.
human
Why, the long and the short of it is this: that girl, Mary Stapleton, has been his ruin. When he first came home he was well received, and looked forward to being spliced and living with us; but it didn't last long. She couldn't leave off her old tricks; and so, that Tom might not get the upper hand, she plays him off with the sergeant of a recruiting party, and flies off from one to the other, just like the ticker of the old clock there does from one side to the other. One day the sergeant was the fancy man, and the next day it was Tom. At last Tom gets out of patience, and wishes to come to a fair understanding. So he axes her whether she chooses to have the sergeant or to have him; she might take her choice, but he had no notion of being played with in that way, after all her letters and all her promises. Upon this she huffs outright, and tells Tom he may go about his business, for she didn't care if she never sees him no more. So Tom's blood was up, and he called her a damned jilt, and, in my opinion, he was near to the truth; so then they had a regular breeze, and part company. Well, this made Tom very miserable, and the next day he would have begged her pardon, and come to her terms, for, you see, Jacob, a man in love has no discretion; but she being still angry, tells him to go about his business, as she means to marry the sergeant in a week. Tom turns away again quite mad; and it so happens that he goes into the public-house where the sergeant hangs out, hoping to be revenged on him, and meaning to have a regular set-to, and see who is the best man; but the sergeant wasn't there, and Tom takes pot after pot to drive away care; and when the sergeant returned, Tom was not a little in liquor. Now, the sergeant was a knowing chap, and when he comes in, and perceives Tom with his face flushed, he guesses what was to come, so, instead of saying a word, he goes to another table, and dashes his fist upon it, as if in a passion. Tom goes up to him, and says, `Sergeant, I've known that girl long before you, and if you are a man, you'll stand up for her.' `Stand up for her; yes,' replied the sergeant, `and so I would have done yesterday, but the blasted jilt has turned me to the right about and sent me away. I won't fight now, for she won't have me--any more than she will you.' Now when Tom hears this, he becomes more pacified with the sergeant, and they set down like two people under the same misfortune, and take a pot together, instead of fighting; and then, you see, the sergeant plies Tom with liquor, swearing that he will go back to the regiment, and leave Mary altogether, and advises Tom to do the same. At last, what with the sergeant's persuasions, and Tom's desire to vex Mary, he succeeds in 'listing him, and giving him the shilling before witnesses; that was all the rascal wanted. The next day Tom was sent down to the depot, as they call it, under a guard; and the sergeant remains here to follow up Mary without interruption. This only happened three days ago, and we only were told of it yesterday by old Stapleton, who threatens to turn his daughter out of doors.
gpt
Can't you help us, Jacob?
human
I hope I can; and if money can procure his discharge it shall be obtained. But did you not say that he was ordered to the West Indies?
gpt
The regiment is in the Indies, but they are recruiting for it, so many have been carried off by the yellow fever last sickly season. A transport, they say, will sail next week, and the recruits are to march for embarkation in three or four days.
human
And what is the regiment, and where is the depot?
gpt
It is the 47th Fusiliers, and the depot is at Maidstone.
human
I will lose no time, my good friends, replied I;
gpt
Mary, said I,
human
Except myself--no, Mr Faithful, don't except myself, I am almost mad-- I believe that I am mad--for surely such folly as mine is madness;
gpt
There is no excuse for your behaviour, Mary--it is unpardonably wicked. Tom sacrificed all for your sake--he even deserted, and desertion is death by the law. Now what have you done?--taken advantage of his strong affection to drive him to intemperance, and induce him, in despair, to enlist for a soldier. He sails for the West Indies to fill up the ranks of a regiment thinned by the yellow fever, and will perhaps never return again--you will then have been the occasion of his death. Mary, I have come to tell you that I despise you.
human
I despise and hate myself, replied Mary, mournfully;
gpt
I wish I were in my grave. Oh, Mr Faithful, do for God's sake--do get him back. You can, I know you can--you have money and everything.
human
If I do, it will not be for your benefit, Mary, for you shall trifle with him no more. I will not try for his discharge unless he faithfully promises never to speak to you again.
gpt
You don't say that--you don't mean that! cried Mary, sweeping the hair with her hand back from her forehead--and her hand still remaining on her head--
human
O God! O God! what a wretch I am! Hear me, Jacob, hear me, cried she, dropping on her knees, and seizing my hands;
gpt
If this is true, Mary, what madness could have induced you to have acted as you have?
human
Yes, replied Mary, rising from her knees,
gpt
After a pause, Mary resumed.
human
Read what I have written to him--I have already written as much in another letter. You will see that if he cannot get away, I have offered to go out with him as his wife; that is, if he will have such a foolish, wicked girl as I am.