Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1848-12-02
dissemination oa cap
milk for suppe, one nigh, and should se, home

milk for supper one night and should get home
bright and early in the morning. | got my
gfist about an hour before shutdown, and re.
turned four miles, when | put % at the house
OF neghbor for the night, (we were all
neighbors within twenty miles.)
81 was up 10 the morning as soon as it be-
gan TO get light, and while engaged with a
bowl Of bread and milk, some one knocked;
the woman Of The house went to the door, and
was asked hy young man il Mr.. u. was there.
Being told that he was, the man entered, and
coming mp TO me said"
sMr. b.. two Of your children are lost in
the woods.'
ri told him he lied, for knew not what
said, but had spme kind OF thought that the
man wanted 10 scare me-
ut is true," he said; "aud have been clear
down to the mill, looking after you. And
some Of the neiehbors have been hunting for
the children all night
81 saw the man was in earnest. ] cannot
describe my feelings, stranger al tina. mo-
ment. Did you ever feel as if the earth was
sinking away from under your feet, and The
whole weight Of the heavens coming right
down upon your head! Did you ever feel
siedge hammer. and threatening 10 force a
passage up through your throat? If you ever
felt so. You know something of my feelings
on that terrible morning. But, after all, my
feelings did no, bew lder me, nor render me
inactive. ! rushed from the house like mad
man-soon leaving the messenger and the
grst far behind. Neither stump, stone, nor
fallen tree impeded my course. was yonng
a., 4 e.. - IT.
was in those days. remember nothing Of
ny thoughts, until had go, within half
mile Of my own Louise. then began TO con-
lecture which Of my children it could be that
was los,, (for had forgot that the man men-
toned two.) Could i, be my own dear little
Nelly, who used TO come dancing to NEE, her
father every night, with her little eyes spark.
ling like diamonds! Whether came home
drunk or sober, Nelly was always rejoiced TO
see me,
''Have you any children, sir1'
We answered in the affirmative.
''You will no, wonder then, a, the old mans
tears, when remembering and speaking of ;he
strong pure love Of a little daughter. But
none can tell how dear child IS until it is
los, in The woods. Ii is nothing, compare.
lively nothing, to lay child in the grave.
have had the experience of both; the one is
hard thing, bu, the other awfulIy terrible
As came in sigh. of my house, a new idea
struck me-a strange idea 10 enter head like
mine. though, now if there is a God he
can save my child. don'l know why it was
but for the first time in my life felt sure
there. was God. My nfidelilg had in a mo.
mem, completely vanished, and | roared alond
again and again-'O Lord. save the los, child
of poor sinner! THIS was the first prayer
that ever had uttered but thank God! it
was no. the last. ] discovered. on approac
ing the house, few men standing about the
door, and as soon as | could make myself
heard. / enquifed which Of my children was
lost. was informed ii was Nelly and jamie.
This was dreadful blow; bu, the madness Of
my grief had passed away with my infdeiiy,
and repeated, sLord, save the los, children
Of a poor sinner On enteringthe house, LIQUID
my wife and six remaining children hnddlec
together 10 corner. They had all cried On.
Ill their faces were swollen, and my wife look.
ed the picture of utter despair. She could
not speak, and could only say. 'Oh: Mary
Mary
1.-The children came clinging around me
their faces grew brighter, they felt sure that
their father could fnd Nelly and jamie. |
kissed them all. and told them they must stay
in the house with mother until came back.
! was about to join the men at the door. who
were celebrating upon the bes, plan of pro-
ceeding, when my wife rose from her seat,
and laying hold of my arm, said"
''John, The Lord can save our children"
Arrangements were now Dade Tor com
mencing the search. We were IN go forth
two and two, each party having gun, and if
either party should be successful 10 finding
the children alive, the fact should be ANNOUNCE
ed by the firing Of six guns, and, if dead three
guns.
''Perhaps had better give you come idea
Of the geography of the woods. Ny house
was situated about mile from the foot Of the
moun,ain to the no!,h; along HE base OF the
mountain, runs considerable stream, hold
ing a course from west to east. From the
south bank Of the stream, rock rose on rock,
up TO the very summit Of the mountain; so
sleep and rugged, that deer could hardly get
a foo, hold. With the exception Of two or
three small fields. all the distance from the
house 10 the brook was covered with heavy
timber. 1t was while hunting up the cows,
about the clearings. that the children got lost,
and it was reasonable to suppose that they
could neither cross the stream, or climb the
mountain, being ooly eight and six years OF
age. We therefore determined 10 confne our
search between the house and the north bank
of the brook. extending few miles east and
west. DR.. P. who was my companion
in tho search, said all ne could 10 cheer me.
but that was dreadful day. Icou'd not take
time to walk, but ran from one thicket 10 an.
other. calling out with all my strength. Mel
ly! Nelly! Jamie! Jamie!' But no Nelly,
no jamie answered. No gun was fired dur.
ing the day; and night, and very dark night.
began TO sci in. determined to continue the
search, but the Doctor persuaded me TO return
bomo eavinu s.we should hav. more helm bv