The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-04-16
VOL. Vino. 40.

turned to retrace her steps, she
found that she was lost, poor thing
bewilderet and perplexed in tam
gled maize. In vain she strove 10
recollcct the position and bearings
of the camp she had left, all so joy
Gus, short hour before--rcasonh had
fled its throne. In an agony of doubt
she ran to and fro in the chaparral,
every step taking her farther from
her friends, and darkness at length
found her completely exhausted, and
crazed with the thoughts of Indian
peril and starvation. Her sufTerings
during that dreadful night, conntin-
ued Bill, you must fancy for your
selvcs-I shall not attempt to depict
them.
With tie early morning light, size
was again or her feet. Size gazed
in every direction but no sight of
her friends gladdened her longing
vision. While thus engaged she was
discovered by a Mexican girl, whose
father had a small rancho some FIVE
miles from the Point; and now when
succor was at hand, the lost one fed
at lis approach. The Mexican girl
called upon her in soothing terms
but she needed her not. The former
then went to her father hard by,
and told him that some poor strag-
eler from the camp of the strangers
was iE the bushes, and to all appear
ances lost and bereit Of reason. The
old man mounted his horse, went
out in search, and soon came up
with her; but she fed at his app
proach as from one of the wild dem
liens of the prairie. The old man,
in the kindness of lis heart, with
soft accents attempted to arrest her
flight: she understood, size needed
him not. He knew that she must
belong to the German camp, that
she was lost, that she was crazed,
and he determined to rescue her.
Coiling the lariart or leather rope
which hung to his saddle in his hand,
he set eff at full speed after the be-
wildercd and frightened fugitive,
threw it gently over her head, and
thus checked her flight. To call his
daughter thinking that she might
better assist in soothing the poor
girl, was his first impulse; together
to proceed with her to the camp Of
her friends, and deliver her safely 10
those who must be but too anxious
for her.. was his second.
Great was the joy Of her relatives,
gladdened were the hearts Of all
who knew her, as she was brought
into camp; but soon these emotions
were changed to bitter sorrow, as
one by one they discovered that the
iairest flower among the emigrants
was crazed. The sweet caresScs of
her mother and sisters she answered
with a vacant stare; the kind Offices
of those who crowded around were
uncared for, unregardcd. Her half
frantic lover, as lie uttered words of
comfort and endearment, was am
swcrcd with look that told plainly
she recognized him not, that lie was
forgotten. Restoratives of every
description were resorted to, but
without effect. A favorite little dog,
as he wagged his tail in Joy and en-
deavored TO lick the hands of his
mistress in token of gladncss at her
return, was spurned as stranger
Songs that she had loved in child
hood fell in soft cadence upon her
ear; yet she needed them not.
Presents from her lover-gilts that
she had treasured in her heart of
hearts-were passed over as idle
toys. Her once bright eye, so full
of intelligence and life, was now
glazed vacant and lustreless-hcr
round, full face, once so radient with
intellect, was now meaningless
blank-and as her friends gazed up.
on her they wrllng their hands in
sorrow, and with sad misgivings that
the reason of the poor girl was lost
forever.
At length, continued Bill, an ell
DERBY matron left the melancholy
group, and started off as if intent on
making one more effort at restoring
the crazed one to her senses. Pre-
sently she returned, with a large
plate Of lot, smoking sour crout in
her hand. Elbowing her way in
among the sorrowing crowd she pre-
sented the dish to the girl, and
And with what eflect?' eiacula.
ted a Ranger who had been listen.
ing all the while, and who now dash.
ed away tear which had gathered
in his eye. with what effcct?'
'As-ton-is h-ing!' slowly ejacula,
ted the wag. ut brought her RICH,
to, just like a d-n; and the way
she skived into that crout showed
that twenty-four hours hard exer.
else in the chaparral was a great
help to the appetite y