Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1834-10-16

NiOtlts U1Q IT,
spectacle look, albeit they were most
woiully rent and worn, her fair hair
played IN disordered ringiets over her
cheek. which was begrimed and pale
and her soft blue ewes were red with
weeping.-She burst out in wild hvs.
tenc wailings, which sunk suddenly in
convulsive sobs.
The traveller was lost in utter amaze
ment, and hemned aloud, to attract the
child's ttention.-Alarmed. in her
turn, at ms appearance, half habited as
he was, she screamed. and fled a few
Stcps-fell and covered her face with
her hands. He was quickly by her
side, and used the kindcst and most
soothing expressions TO gain her conf
dence and calm her fears. She had
fallen more from bodily weakness than
from fear, although she had been
greatly alarmed at the unexpected ap-
Pearance Of the stranger. AZ length
she ventured 10 look up, and with
sweet but languid smile, said slowly
and family, % now--I am sure YOU
VIII not kill me- Kill you! God for
bid, was the full-hearted reply. %,
I'm very tired-Fve been very hun
cry, but got plenty raspberries here
Il only eat the goody ones, | never
take them as have the spiders on, for
mother bid me not to- Where i
your mother. my little girl eagerly en-
CURED the traveller, and he was answer
ed m great simplicity. she's ahome. sir.
l guess-but man don't know where
be- can't find out the way home ever
SO long. What, my child, have YOU
straycd and are lost. Come TO that
iiowery knoll with me 20 preserve your
liie-come, and I will give YOU some
nice biscuit and bit OF meat--you are
weak and Worn. but I will take care of
you. The innocents soul burst forth
IN flood of tears, not attended with
that hysteric affection which she had
lately suffered. She derived great re-
lief from weeping, and prepared to fol-
low her new benefactor, but the ex-
citement she had just experienced, act
ing on her sensitive, delicate. and ex-
hausted frame, had shaken every nerve
and completely Frustrated her strength.
She was unable TO walk, but the kind
and generous Beargan carried her 10
the bank of the river where he had
left his little store, and judiciously re-
called her with spare and gradual por-
tons of food.
As soon as she was moderately re-
freshed, her artleSs answers to his in
quiries informed him that her name was
LYDIA HARPER; her parents lived
near Hartts mills she had been sent
with dinner to her father, who was
making shingles little way in the
woods, but missed the right track, got
bcwlldered and wandered astrav.-
When | knew Twas lost, she said, %
! was very much frightened-I scream
ed and ran about, and threw away NV
father's dinner II appears that she
walked the first night until she sank
down nearly supplied with fatigue
The traveller asked If she was not A.
fraid when it grew dark. and she was
all alone and lost in the woods, 10 which
she replied, Il was kind Of frightened
ali the time, but when Law down |
said my prayers that man learnt me, and
then | want frightened Do YOU re-
member the prayer 20, do sir, it
is -
! will lay me down in peace. and
take my rest, for it is thou, Lord, only.
that makest me to dwell in safety. and
into thy hands recommend my spirit.
my soul, and my body, for thou hast re-
deemed me, o Lord, thou God Of truth.
.7men =
Mr.. Beargan began next to consider
how the child was To be brought along
He was sixteen miles past her faith
er's and his business would not allow
him to return: he was about IL miles
from Trew's, and no house betwecn.-
The child was unable TO walk he rig-
ged out Continuance by means Of his
blanket, and carried her comfortably on
his back. The delightful consciousness
of performing good action, buoyed up
his spirits and neryed his frame, and he
beguiled the nigor Of his lsborious task
by the prattle Of hiss little founding.
who now became more sprightly and
free.
As he jOurneyed along, he iaquired
Il she had seen any wild beasts in the
woods and she answered No, did nj
--once--two black dogs were coming
TO me-they were not Mr.. BuPe's dogs
they stopt, and one stood up on his
hind fect-they didn't bark. but ruined
away again Our traveller smiled at
the chiId's simplicity, while she ooniin-
ued to say o SIR, last nighi-O when I
woke in the middle Of the night, o how
glad was - thought was close 10
home, for ! heard the cattle trampling
about me. IcOuld nt see nothing, none
Of them had bells--and when I called
Star and Bright. they lay still. oil
was glad and ms heart was beating and
besting--I lay very still 10 listen. and
80 just dropped away asleep again
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