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318
The Royal Mail: Its Curiosities and Romance
·
James Wilson Hyde
239
But
just
as
he
was
about
to
make
the
necessary
request,
and
to
realise
the
dream
which
he
had
been
cherishing,
a
letter
from
his
brother
changed
all
his
plans.
His
joy
was
turned
to
sorrow.
This
letter
informed
him
that
his
mother
was
seriously
ill,
and,
moreover,
that
some
distemper
had
assailed
his
brother's
stock,
carrying
many
of
them
off;
in
fact,
misery
stared
in
the
face
those
among
whom
he
had
hoped
to
live
happily,
and
to
eke
out
the
remainder
of
his
days
in
comfort.
The
poor
fellow
was
sadly
cast
down;
the
phantom
of
pleasure
had
passed
from
his
view;
he
shed
bitter
tears
of
disappointment,
and
was
at
his
wits'
end.
Dejection
and
irresolution
did
not,
however,
last.
He
soon
regained
command
of
himself,
and
filial
affection
suggested
to
him
the
course
which
he
should
pursue.
Next
day
he
proceeded
to
the
office
of
an
agent
whose
business
it
was
to
procure
substitutes
for
individuals
desirous
of
avoiding
service
in
the
army;
and
in
a
few
days
thereafter
he
engaged
to
serve
his
country
for
seven
years
more,
receiving
in
return
a
payment
down
of
1500
francs.
It
may
be
guessed
what
was
the
next
step
taken
by
the
worthy
soldier.
He
remitted
the
1500
francs
to
his
mother,
in
a
letter
directed
to
the
care
of
his
brother;
and
at
the
same
time
he
intimated
that
he
was
to
start
at
once
for
Algeria,
there
to
join
the
new
regiment
to
which
he
had
been
posted.
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