[The Hidden Children by Robert W. Chambers]@TWC D-Link book
The Hidden Children

CHAPTER I
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"Damnation, sir! You should know Morgan's! Sixth Company, sir; Major Parr! And a likelier regiment and a better company never wore green thrums on frock or coon-tail on cap!" "Yes, sir," said the man vacantly.
Boyd laughed a little: "And look that you hint as much to the idle young bucks hereabouts--say it to some of your Westchester squirrel hunters----" He laid his hand on the landlord's shoulder.

"There's a good fellow," he added, with that youthful and winning smile which so often carried home with it his reckless will--where women were concerned--"we're down from Albany and we wish the Bedford folk to know it.

And if the gallant fellows hereabout desire a taste of true glory--the genuine article--why, send them to me, landlord--Thomas Boyd, of Derry, Pennsylvania, lieutenant, 6th company of Morgan's--or to my comrade here, Mr.Loskiel, ensign in the same corps." He clapped the man heartily on the shoulder and stood looking around at the stripped and dishevelled room, his handsome head a little on one side, as though in frankest admiration.

And the worn and pallid landlord gazed back at him with his faded, lack-lustre eyes--eyes that we both understood, alas--eyes made dull with years of fear, made old and hopeless with unshed tears, stupid from sleepless nights, haunted with memories of all they had looked upon since His Excellency marched out of the city to the south of us, where the red rag now fluttered on fort and shipping from King's Bridge to the Hook.
Nothing more was said.

Our landlord went away very quietly.


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