Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-04-09
THE LOST LAMBKlN.

ana fnofany Instructive Tor the young. and
We give II place ia our coIuins Tor their
perusaI:
Was their ever a sweater creature ffian
dear itile golden haired Flora Campbell
with her light, fairy footsteps, and rosy
cheeks and violet eyes! IIrw lovely she
looked. as she bounded oyer the green brases
| at the quiet gloamlogl Her heart was all
sunshine and her Thoughts pure and fesh
as the foweis she lwioed ia her shining tres
ses.
Sweet Flora Campbell her young heart
was all Faith and Hope and Charity. She
praitled with the flowers aud the streaniiets
and The birds; and her clear. rigging voico
was heard at day. break amid the heather.
" hen the she pheIds led forth their fiocks.
q. sunny and 10, ful and happy as the day is
long was dear hitle Flora Campbell.
All loved the gentle child. aud Why,
should they Holl Did not hei tender hsnds
buog fresh flowers to the sick wife of Reberl
the pl1wmsn! And did nol her lo~ voice
uembIe sOhIy IN prayer. NJ the bedside of
old Elspie. the blind beggar ~onani Oh.
who would not love the angel hearted liI,Is
! maidrh! -,
Bur where is Floral The twilight is fan-
ing over he Inouptsins. and shuIliog in the
yales like gray curIain. One by one, ihs
bhsnt stars steal up into the summer SHY.
and 'winhling anid the fcecy evening clouds.
! The unkling sheep bell sounds nearer and
! nearer as the focks retnfn 70 their folds from
! their mountain pastures, aud the lowing oi
the kiue 10 tarm-ysrds tells that the lshois
Cf the day are over. Blu; where is golden
| haied + ora Campbell
She was not used 10 linger 81 long from
] her grandfather DIV ellington DOW The eys-
uing meal was being spread, and The cottage
lamps lgh ed. The aged man clasped his
bands lcge,her ard murmeied a short prayer.
While his daug the moiher Of Flora.
Looked anxlcusly out of the window, year
ming for her child'sretnih.
The shadows ctept iastei ani tasler around
the valley. The old peasants SAT al their
outage doors, aod The young men aud maid
ems gathered upon the village green; some
to walk, and some TO talk cf love under the
broad chestnut ttee--some 10 play tho pipe,
or dance 10 iis merry music, aud some To
hnrl the qUai', or wrestle Ia the ring.
But all was hushed when CATER Campbell
Game hufredy from his cottage, inquiring
oiihe villagers il thry had seen his grand
child. Ies, indeed, they had. Que had be-
held her iar on IN the mountains, pluckipg
Mid flowers aud weaving theEl iulo a gar
land oi heather; another had met her in the
path oi Moss Glen, sitting by the wayside,
aud planting willow basket for her grand
sie; and third had received some forest
lruit from her hands, as he met her seated
with her bsske, offowefs. near the head OF
The loch.
"Ah we mus, sack Flora" c.ied the youth
INN edaey, 1.-The dear child, nu harm Gao
surely come 10 her,"
"Ah, mr, CATER Campbell" said a white
haired old shepherd. sinking has head. II
feared solnethlug-io6 the youngest lambkia
of my flock was lost to day, aud ., is bad
sigu, they say y
'lieaveu grant that NY poor lambkn be
sefer' said CATER Campbell. so!emnly.
"Anen!" murme,ed the whte-hared peas
ant.
The villagers nov disappeared in The yar-
Gus paths leading To the mu uuntaio, the rest OF
and the l0ch, aud torches cleaned
upon the heights aud glimm-red among the
forest, aud flashed brightly over the wate,,
Up aud down along The stream, and through
The woods, went tho young men, calling up.
on The name of Flora. Floia."
Bot 90 Flora answered.
Gaifer Campbell leaned upon his staff and
SPOKE not a VOID. lie could not weep, for a
heavy weight was on his heart. But ihe
mother Of Flora was load 10 grief. She
wepi, aud heat Der breast aud called aloud
the name ci her chlJ.
The agcdrasior cow approached. lie had
heard al the manse. of Fiora's disappearance
--iot every house bad been searched within
the houI--and he had come now TO comfort
the beieayed unes. Fear not, dapghter," he
said. "Fioia will return
All she is lIsl--she is lost 10 me-" cried
The mother.
lie who tempereh the wind to the shoru
"A ,.t,
the oId pdstor-"fear mol"
Aud as the reverened man spoke, the loud
barking ct a dog was heard from the depths.
Of Moss Cleo, aud lights appeared passing
quickly dowa the valley,
Trust IN heaven said the minister
Wuh trembling yet hurried steps. the pas
tor and CATER Campbell took their way To
lhe deep gIeu. But the mother of Flora
passed them, and ran wildly dowa the mar
row path. Aud louder and louder sounded
the bay of Tie dog from the thick gloom ia
winch the vale was shrouded.
They reached the brink of The wide rayine
or chasm, commonly known as The "Deer's
Mouth" and paused near group or villag.
eTs, who with torches ia their hands, were
listening eagerly to catch The baying ot the
hound. Again II come, low and Deep seem
iDgly from The guilt beneath them. They
bent their torches over the edge of the pre-
cipice. and sirOye 10 look down; but all was
dark aud SILENT save alone the barking OF the
dog, now quick aod sharp.
I'VE must descend cried young man.
p pressing forward That's Luath's bark aud
LusIh kpuws Flora as well as we do. Run,
Donald, for ropes"
a half dozen lads started together at this
bidding, and soon stou, ropes were brought
and held by strong mcn, while the youth pre-
pated to descend
.Take heed, Christie" said the white
haired old shepherd-"R "Remember the omen,
NY Iad-the youngest lambkiu of my flock
was lost 10 day, and 1 fear more evil
'Feat nothing Tor me, father" cried the
Young peasant swinging hinsefnIo the dark
gulf hom the edge of The rock; while again
the loud bark OF the dog sounded from the