Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-11-26
From the New Brunswick stindard Of sept. 4
Lydia Harper,
THE LOST CHI l. ID.

ing on any little local incident, yet we occa-
sionally hear of occurrences SO touching and
pathetic in their nature as to awaken our
sympathies, and interest us in their narration
Of fsuch u nature is that which we now pre-
sent to the reader.
Mr. Charles Bearghan left the north east
part Of this province a short time ago, and
took what is called the upper road from Fred
ericton to st. Stephens on his way to the
United States. On the 5th August, he pas
sed the thriving village at Harts Mills, on
the Rushagonis, very early in the morning
and expected to reach Trew's tavern, at the
Piskahagan, by night. Properly equipped for
the woods, furnished with suitable provisions,
his blanket his axe slung behind, and his gun
on his shoulder, he trudged gaily along un-
iii he arrived at Shin creek, which is unbrldg-
ed, and was at that time much swoln with the
late rains. A woodlnan seldom hesitates at
such obstacles: he proceeded up the bank OF
the stream, and set about Telling tree across
il, to serve as temporary bridge; 1t swung
aside in falling, and launching into deep wa
ter, it moved away majesticaiy down the
stream. Our traveller "looked, aud looked,
and wist not what to do" He was not in
clined to resume the axe, and therefore re-
solved to proceed up stream, in hopes of find
ing favorable place for crossing. At length
he arrived at one Of those placid looking
pools, which form deep stretches in our rv-
ers, and are generally termed saltwater pa-
ces. Here he made kind of raft sufficient
to bear up his clothes and gun, g. keep them
dry, while he swan over and drew them after
him. He was soon busily engaged in re-ha-
biting his limbs, and refreshing himself with
bit Of biscuit, seated on the howery margin
ofa natural meadow, which extended along
the banks Of stream, when his ear was start
ledb whining noise, resembling the sounds
frequently uttered by young bears. lie in
stantly seized his gun, examined the touch
hole, and re-primed-then clapping ball in
to the barrel
"With look intent.
"And eye and ear attentive bent, ="
he stole cautiously towards the spot whence
the sounds issued. They were no longer ut
tered, but he now and then heard cracking
noise among the underbrush, and perceived
twitching motion of the twig and spray, but
could not discover what caused them. Con-
vinced however, that he had some animal to
encounter, his gun was at his shoulder, and
his finger on the trigger He then silently
reasoned with himself, whether or not he
should fire at random; but experience eau
toned him against SO rash an action, for no
animal is more furious than wounded bear.
AS thus he mused his eyes became suddenly i
dilated, his heart throbbed violently, he rais-
ed himself erect, and let the butt of his gun
drop quickly to the ground. What did he see?
What did he gaze at? Behold among the
raspberry bushes, and seen through the inter-
stices Of their many twinkling leaves Of dewy ,
green-behold he sees beautiful infantile
arm fitfully stretched out, and little taper fin
gers plucking the rich, ripe, crimson fruit
After he had experienced the first flush of
the mingled emotions of surprise at the extra
ordinary sight-of horror at the bare idea of
his gun and his intended act-and of fpleasure
in the expectation of meeting society in these
deep and solemn solitudes, our traveller ad-
yanced, and beheld little girl about seven
years old, sedulously engaged in pulling and
eating of the abundant wild berries which
were spread in great variety over that natu-
rally rich and verdant spot. She appeared to
be an interesting child; her clothes had re- :
spectacle look, albeit they were most wefully :
rent and worn; her hair played in disordered t
ringlets over her cheek, which was begrin- |,
ed and pale, and her soft blue eyes were 4
red with weeping. She burst out into wild !,
hysteric wailings, which sunk suddenly into =
convulsive sobs. III
The traveller was lost in utter amazement, :,
md hemmed aloud to attract the child's atten- p
lion. Alarmed, in her turn, at his appear h
ance, half habited as he was, she screamed-iIs a.
Hed few steps-fell, and covered her face n
with her hands. He was quickly by her side, "
and used the ktldest and most soothing ex- b,
,ressions to gain her confidence and calm her ~
fears. She had fallen more from bodily h,
weakness than from fear,-although she had
,een greatly alarmed at the unexpected ap- a.
,earance of the stranger. At length she ven- +,
ured to look up, and with a sweet but lam 81
yuid smile, said slowly and family, 80 now ~
am sure you won't hurt me-O, ! am very =,
ure you will not kill me-" aKilI you! God ~
orbid," was the full hearted reply. 40 am -,
cry tired-l've been very, very hungry; but e.
got plenty raspberrys here-I only eat the ~
-ood ones; never take them as have the spi- Il,
ers on 'em; mother bid me not to-" "Where IS
your mother, my dear child ?" eagerly in -, -,
uired the traveller; and he was answered =,
nth the greatest simplicity, "she's at home, Jc
ir, guess-but nam don't know where | be: ~
can't find out the way home ever so long," p,
What my child, have you strayed, and are i
'st Come to that fowery knoll, with me-,
rod has sent me to preserve your life. Come II,
nd will give you some nice biscuit, and a b.
it Of meat. You are weak and worn, but he
ill take care Of you" The poor innocent's hv h',
,ul burst forth in food of grateful tears ~;
OF attended with that bysteric affection III
hich she had lately suffered. She derived q
reat relief from weeping, and prepared to
llow her new benefactor, but the excite
ent she had just experienced, acting on her
,nsitive, delicate and exhausted frame, had
,aken every nerve, and completely prostra- on
d her strength. She was unable to walk, M
1t the Kind and generous Bearghan carried Po
n 70 the bank of the river. where he had tho