Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-02-23

d UdIUdIOuS HIlAluI0 Vi TTeucH anu EtSllSu
One woman contriyed to make them under
stand that pretty creature had called there
the morning before, and had asked for water,
and she had given her some dinner. Her
clothes, she said, We're torn, but very nice.
Pretty young lady-hair very bright and
curly-hat very shontee, which was her
English for genteel.
What way Gid she go?' asked Herman,
with rewarded hope.
She did not know; she was too busy 10
look; but she called one of the halfgrown
boys, and asked him. lie pointed in the di-
rection they had come, saying she had once
passed the long belt of woods that stretched
to the east of them, but had returned again
and struck into their depths.
Herman breathed more freely; it seemed
to him as if she were even then near; there
was no danger to apprehend for her, except
from the wolves, and they had so long been
driven back by the settlers that it was hardly
probable they infested these small forests
very numerously. The atmosphere was un-
usually soft and bright, the sky clear and
shining, the air warm and balmy, loaded
with the fragrance of spring flowers. The
| Judge therefore felt sort of faith that he
should be again restored TO Grace. He felt
as if God would protect her. Through suf-
fering his reliance on the mighty One was
strengthened.
Leaving their steeds at the outskirts of
the wood, with two chosen guards, the party
entered its gloomy precincts, and di>erging
from each other, performed the circuits in
parties of two. The wood was scarcely halt
a mile in extent; the ground. dry and ferny
cracked with the yet unbound frost; for i'll
those dim solitudes, where the heavy and in
tertwined branches formed a lesser dome
overhead, the warm rays of the sun could
but slowly penetrate.
For hours, and with unhagging spirits,
they sought in the dim old alsles' for the
gentle fugitive. Every man felt deep in.
terest in the issue Of the enterprise but they
met again towards night, still unsuccessful.
Then it was the almost heart broken faith
er, giving way to his keen anguish, sank
down by the roadside and wept.
What have to live for he exclaimed
'ifmy child has deserted me? Heaven pit,
a parents griefl Would too might die !
Oh, Stanton cheer up, cheer up sale
and old friend, plying his distress; we
have not abandoned her yet; we shall fuC
her yet, depend upon it. She has PROBABLY
with the cunning peculiar to her situation
hidden herself. She travels, perhaps, a
, night We will try again; this time by tn
light of the moon and our lanterns. Chee
up.
} I have 70 doubt chimed in another
t anxious TO bestow his mite of consolation
Y but that she is somewhere in the vicinity, o
: even nearer home than we expect. Let L
wait till the moon is up echoed one of th
c party; why, man, she doesn't show tn
e rim other Ureastplate till nigh twelve. "
J. are fatigued, to be sure, and it's my opinio
that we ought to keep on towards home
n searching by the way. We have now bee
n gone nearly three days, ard we should gi,
some account Of ourselves. or the wives an
e little ones will begin to feel alarmed. | te
you she's higher home than this. I've ha
J. to do with mad people before now,' he col
l tinued, thoughtlessly y,-the poor father shuc
dered-'and | know what freaks they tax
d they are as cunning as wild cats. Now, |
d be bound she's not three miles from her oW
home
t. And how far are we from there now 2
/. Twelve orfourteen miles, should Judge
l. Well, we had better 90 back and 9
n more aid; our horses are jaded out, and v
of are all in need of rest. BY morning v
ID could organize fresh party, and set the
I'd on the track. We shall find her vet,
v Providence pleases; We must put our tru
I'd in Providence.'
iii That is it, said another, addressing IL
father, 'and your child is in the hands OF
I'd Good Being; innocents and crazy folks a
70 always guided by Him.
is Though homely, this little consolation W
grateful to the bereaved parent; his soul f
IS, a new trust and hopefulness that he h;
at hitherto not known; he prayed earnestl
rk humbly, sincerely, that the Almighty wou
Ms direct him to the dear wanderer.
k Some hours after, by two and two [
se party set out upon their homeward cour
he Herman, laboring as he was under inten
excitement, dashed on far ahead of the re
m but one Of the company kept pace with h
al old Squire Grutf, as he was commonly c
on led, an honest Ran, with warm impulsi
20. heart, somewhat sensorous, but quick be
th- to forgive and forget. He had been loud
of in his denunciations of the judge, yet first
ck propose and plan the search.
Within few miles of home, when /
his moon was hourly waning, the poor hor
,ut whose strength had been taxed to the utm
ss- began to show signs Of fatigue. They pa
ed for moment to give the painting amin
on rest A narrow gorge between two b
.ay seemed to open new path, at least it |
zoe evidently been travelled, for the grass '
Vi beaten down, and few feet from the
i'm, trance some pure white flowers laid withe
nd npon the ground.
to Squire exclaimed Herman, pointing
Ter, wards them, there is something pro,iden
The in this; we must strike of here, We can "
felt our horses-Squire Grace has been h
,ur- Il know it; | am confident the child
ved been here to day
her For few moments they progressed ca
but soon the horses began stumbling ann
the The loose stones that the squire had rigl
! Il.