The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1852-11-04


THEY HAVE CARRIED AWAY PArA.-We
wish we knew the authorship of the follow
ing. What parent can read it without emo
tionl
AS the cars in which we were recently
travelling halted at the station, our attention
was arrested by beautiful little girl appar-
emily less than two years of age, who was
looking from one Of the windows ofa house
standing but a few feet fromthe track, She
was wailng most piteOusly, and on her
sweet wan face was painted deeper sorrow
than we had ever before seen on the face of
an infant, such as this. A Il the while she
repeated, with pathos indescribably mourn
full, "They have carried away my papa
When will they bring him back"
! Presently lady, whom we instantly re-
cognized as former acquaintance, came
from the house, and, entering the car in
which we sat, took n seat near ours.
! "Did YOU observe child at the Window"
she asked, when the train had again taken
wings.
"Yes," we replied; "and with deep inter-
est"
"a fortnight since," rejoined our friend,
"the father of that little girl set out for the
gol,! region. She was always amused at
seeing the cars pass; and the morning fixed
upon Tor l.er fathers departure, as she heard
the train approaching, clmed to her accus-
toned place, and clappng her hands in great
glee, watched its coming.
"At that moment the father and mother
entered the room, the former with forced
smile upon his features, and the latter pale
aud tremulous with suppressed emotion.-
One pressure to his fond heart, one fervent
kiss, and the love-pledge only was replaced
at the window with low "God bless you, my
darling Emf, Goodbye"
"This was evidently the first intimation
to the little one OF her fathers intended de-
} parture. At the words she turned quickly
and with halfincredulous expression, from
the window, surveyed his person, and seeing
that he was really equipped for a journey
returned his parting salutation
"Good-bye, papa. goodbye"
: Another moment, and the adventurer
) had entered the cars, which were beginning
: again to move forward The young wife
, and mother turned from the spot where the
: long farewell had been exchanged, and re.
entered the dwelling with streaming eyes
Instantly the child appeared to comprehend
that her fathers absence was destined to be
not, as usual, temporary one; and, stretch
4 ing her tiny arms towards her father, who
from a window, was casting behind long
ing look she cried, in lsping accents,
80, please do come back, papa, and take
mamma and Emil"
"The father, who had hitherto succeeded
in maintaining external composure, was
seen to withdraw his gaze, and press hand
E kerchief to his eyes.
"The child has scarcely smiled since. Or
3 the approach of the cars she always take
;, her place at the window, from which no in
2 ducement can draw her, and watches will
I eager eyes till she finds her father has no
t come, when in II tone of sadness truly affect
: ing, she repeats as you have just now hear
her, "They carried away my papa. Whel
will they bring him back!"
= u "Her appetite has failed. She has grow
! pale and thin; and whether sleeping or wax
: ing, her thoughts are constantly with he
absent parents. Her mother has decided t.
: take her from the scenes which so constantl
remind her of her afliction, as the onl
), means ofrestoring her health and spirits"
h "Lovely affectionate creaturer we coul
!. not help exclaiming, as the narrator ceased
!. "may the beloved one, his labors abundant
!. blessed, at no distant day, be restored to tn
joys Of his home"