Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1846-01-10
FRONTIER LlFE-THE LOST CHILD.

49, - - ftfN FAhiiNhtiN W Nitt Noit-
tributors-can be found within the embossed
and gildcd covers Of the numerous ANIMALS
which adom the parlor tables Of our iashiona-
bles. single fiction of such simple and thrill
ling Interest, a. the following account of hunt
for Lost Child, by acorrespondent OF the
1t. Louis Weekly Gazette--in one of the
ironuer settlements of the West
] Abou, ten O'Clock in the morning. was heard
a loud shout at the gaie-"Ho Mr.. w. ho!"
whats wanting" "OLarys boy is lost
little Johnny" This was enough TO SECURE a
iathers aid; and on he rode to shout the same
at every doorhe passed Little Johnny said
and my heart burst forth at the very sound. He
was'a fair and lovely child johnny. and had
gentle and afiectionate mother, with an ardent
aud sacrificing love which few mothers ever
feel. His iather was bold hunter-his horses
AMI hound and rifle had more of his heart than
all the world besides; but little Johnny mes
Tied there; indeed he was great pet with
i the neighbors. and Won more caresses and
more sympathy than all the rest OF the children
. together.
! Such appealsare always sovereign: but few
perhaps, have ever met with a more quick or
general Tesponse-eveTy boiy turned out--the
news iicw like lightning: and men and BOYS for
ten miles around came To assist in the search.
while women and children were running TO and
iro, ana halling ever passer BY To learn the pro-
gross OF the work. Never before. may dare
say, was there such a neighborly union as now
PcrNaded the motley mass-the same gusl of
sympathy, the same fearful apprehension; aud
the same images of death and wo, pcrvaded
every home and heart IL seemed If one vast
cloud OF gloom enwmpped the region round.
from which shone out, IN lurid glare, and TO
which every eve was turned and every pulse
beat true--the lost child
Little Johnny was abou, four years old: he
had been out in the field with his father and the
oiack man.who were harvesting com-had fill
Ell ms hitlc bag with roasting ears, aud had
started Tor home about two O'clock, p. NJ
On returning at night, they ascertancd that the
child hat never been seen. il was nearly dark,
bu, the alarm was given; some > or 20 neigh
boTs took their horns aud commenced the
search. The corn, where lac was first seen.
was the first object, OF course; here they took
single rows aud secured the field ia vain
They then scattered through the wood-the
frantic father often calling out in a voice Of
thunder.
lilo, John--ho John--O joint" Then fear
ing the boy might be alarmed and afraid TO an
swer he would soften down into the gentle,
winning tone OF the fireside-"J Johnny, yohn-
ny, my dear, fathers GOMEZ"
IL was a cloudy evening; aud though per
haps, he had never bowed the knee before Je-
hovah's awful throne, he prayed-O how ear
ncstly hs prayed the Lord il might not rain that
night. The air was damp and chilly so that il
The child were alive with his bare feet and light
jacket he must b. suffering cruelty from cold.
But the wolves! ah, this WAS the fear. this the
terror which all felt, none dared tn breathe A
wolf had been pIowlng around the premises
indeed they had common path across the
prairie--and the point where several beside
myself had heard the cries oi distress was a ia
nous haunt Tor them;eyen in the midst of their
anxious search, a distant growl would now and
ihen burst upon the ear pcturing forth the
den. the cubs. the -
The dogs were very eager in the field .espe.
eially the wolf dogs Windcr, one of the best.
would run no other trail DIARY knew this
and watched with intense anxiety his every
move. lie Scents--he scents-hc runs; ooh
my God, he's got my boyl' lie leaps from his
horse, he sees the loot prints cf his own dear
Johnny in the gopher hill b, his side--h tracks
HIM To the wood aud oil from Winders trail
--ah, hc breathes again
HE search was continued till midnight when
part thought best 10 relieve the horses and
wait Tor daylight TO bcgiu airesh But the ia
theT with three OF his hunting friends who had
resolved not TO eat OF slecpt till they had found
The boy still kept oa-sometimes riding somt
times wdiklng--calliug aud shouting II for no
other purpose than 10 keep the wolves at hay
AT length they stationed themselves within
hearing distance OF each other, end sal down
To protect the child. or rush To his rescue. i'm
case they should hear him attacked, To watch |
until the morning
Al early dawn, about 30 new horsemen stri |
we'd and the search commenced anew. The field |
was examined for the track which was pursued
win some doubt, Is he had been there three
successive days. On tracing the path which /
lcd towards the wolf woods, the impTints of \
Johnny little feet were again discovered a.
he appeared Ia be running. and the marks Of |
his bag dragged along by his side Here the |
iaihers anguish g''shed anew, as the fears Of |
we preceding night were justified and corrob /
oriicd They now agreed to- take station \
about . rods abreast. 20 up one side of the
branch AMI down the other, It'll the whole
surface oi the extensive area farther than ne
could possibly have travelled. had been 81.
Plofti. my had completed one side. and
Wec returning when the signal was given
johnny was found The noisy shouting and
repeated pcals Of the hunters winding horn.
soon grouped the solemn cayBi AIDE.
but Larry, though foremost IN the hunt
iriI bach at ihc first note of thc summan,ng
nom. nuf dad Dc speak word or sssrcelV
breathe, tiil Doe snatChed his own tric Johnnt
Rom Sac arms OF lh, delighted bearer and
'nt pressed hln with frantic iondness 10 his
moss bursting heart The dear boy was found
shout Two miles from home. in a tiicket I'LL
hazel picking Glib rts with his tag at corn still
'n lis arm. He looked bright and hoppy and
"hcn asked whore going, said be- va. going
nome Dat ii wasso Jar. IL slidhc hadn't
,ecnany body. bat De heard some one cslI b,n, (
and that he was afraid that he ran f,ll h. 80.
very tired end then be- laid his head down ~,
hs ba2 sud cried hat while boz was cr,i,y
b. saw big carriage ~ by with candles Ia h | q
ihe thunder and lightning) and thcn n pfe,, | r
very darn, ant be- asked God Co take car. ot r.
ii'e J'huny. ond went to sleep He e.ersIl
.m4hed io sre ~ many around him. and IN soI
,iaI 70 80 lnm.