The Arkansas advocate., 1837-01-13


 ther not he should fire at random, but experience cautioned him against so rash action, for no anima IS furious than wounded bear. As thus he mn sed, his eyes suddenly Gaed, his heart throbbed vo lenty, he raised himself erect and let the but of hi gun drop quickly to the ground Behold. among th raspberry bushes, and seen through the ntersces o their many twlnkling leaves of dewy green-he see. beautiful inanhle arm ftfnliy stretched out and lit tie taper fingers pueking the rich, rpe crimson frtit
 After he had experienced the first flush of the min gled emotions of surprise al the extraordinary sight of horror at the bare idea of his gun and his intended act-and ol pleasure Tn the expectation of meeting cety in these deep and solemn soldes, our traveller advanced and beheld little girl about seven years old, sedplouslt engaged in pulling and eating of the abundant wild berries which spread in great yari- ey that naturally rich and yerdant spot She ap- peared to be interesting child her clothes had a respectable look albeit they were most woeflly rent and worn, her hair played in disordered ringets over her cheek, which was begrimmed and pale, and her soft blue eyes were red with weeping. She burst out into wild hysieric waings which sunk suddenly into conyusiye sobs.
 The Traveller was lost in utter engagement, and he'nmed aloud, to attract the childs attention. Alarm ed, in her turn at his appearance, half habted as he was, she screamed-fle few steps-feIi and cover ed her face with her hands, He was quickly by her side and used the kndest and most soothing expres- slons to gain her confidence and calm her fears. She had fallen more from bodily weakness than from fear, although she had been greatly alarmed at the unexpect- ed appearance of the stranger. At length she ventnr- ed 10 look up, and with sweet but anguid smie said slowly and fainy, "0h now--I am sure you won't hurt me-O am very sure you will not kill me- ssklll you! God forbid" the ful-hearted reply. sO, Pm very tlred-IVe been very, very hungry, but got plenty raspberfies here--I only eat the goody ones 1 never take them as have the spiders on 'em mother bid me not to-" tWhere is your mother my dear child P eagerly inquired the traveller and he was answered in great simplicity, ssshe's at hofne sir guess-but nam don't know where be--I can't find out the way home ever SO ong.v What my child have you suayed and are lost! Come to that fowery knoll with me-God has sent me to preserve your life come, will give you nice biscuit and bit oI meatyour weak and worn, but will take care of you." The poor inaoeents soul burst forth in flood o grateful tears not attended with that hystee alice ton which she had lately suffered. She derived great relief from weeping, and prepared to follow her new benefactor bui the excitement she had just experien- ced, acting on her sensitive, delicate and exhausted frame, had shaken every and completely prostra- ted her strength She was unable 10 walk, but the kind and generous Bearghan carried her to the bank the river where he had left his little store and judci ously regaled Ter with spare and gradual portions ol food.
 As soon she moderately refreshed, her ariless answers 10 his enquiries informed him that her name was LYDIA HARPER; her parents lived near Hartt's
 ls she had been sent with dinner to her ither who was making shingles little ways in the woods, but missed the right track, got bewdered and wandered asray. "When knew l ost,' she said 70 was very frightened-I screamed and ran about, and threw away fathers dinner" Itappears that she walk ked the first night until she sank down nearly supplied with fatigue. The traveller asked if she was not afraid when 1t grew dark and she was alone and lost in the woods, to which she replied,"I was kind Of fright ened all this time, but when l laid down said my prayers that man learnt me, and then want rghten- ed" "Do you remember the prayer2" 70, do, sir, it is:
 'I will lay me down peace and take my rest, for 1t Is thou Lord, only, that makes me dwell in safety and into thy hands l recommend my spirit, my soul and my body. for thou hast redeemed me- 0 Lord, thou God of truth!'' Amen.
 MT. Bearghan next began to consider how the child was to be brought along He was sixteen miles past her faher's and his business would not allow him to reurn he was about twelve miles from Trews and no house between. The child was unable to walk he rigged out contrvance by means ofhis banked, and carried her forward on his back. The delightful con sciousness of performing good action buoyed up his spirits and nerved his ame and be begued the rgor of his laborous task by the pratle of his little found- ling, who had now become more sprghtly and free.
 As ae journeyed along he inquired if she had seen any wild beasts in the woods, and she answered No, didnt-only once-two black dogs were coming to me-they were not MT. Burpe's dogs-they stopt, and one stood on his hind fset-they didn't bark, but ned away again" Our traveller smiled at the chld'5 simplicity while she continued to say"O sir last night 70 when awoke in the middle of the night 0 how gadI was I thought I was close to home, for I thought l heard the cattle tramplng about me. couldn't nothing of them had bells--and when called Star and Bright they lay still; 0, l was glad and my heart was beating and beatng-I lay very still too to lsten and just drcpt away asleep again-was't pity they were all gone ;n the morn ing" "Providence seems to have defended you in ar especial manners my child, against hidden dangers and death,'' said the traveller.
 1 Having carried his helpless charge until daylight