Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-12-15
seletttb GaIe.
THE LOST CHILD.

From advance sheets Of novel he published in
few days 10y Phillips, Sampson & Col
Three years ago last ha ying-ti time, Amy was
six years old. Having was pretty much done
at home but, since Samuel'S death, the col
onel had also TO manage the Morgan farm. :
Al the force of the farm, with an extra hand
or two. was now employed in getting the hay
down there. They went early, and generally
returned at sunset, taking load with them
BlueberricS were ripe. and very plenty The
road down 10 the Morgan farm was retired
not 4 public road, only cross road, but very
pleasant. Tall pines grew occasionally along
the way. In some places grove of Young
trees offered a cool resting -place-a smooth,
soft surface, and a grateful, fragrant shade
Here and there, also, a spreading beech gave q
dense shadow, when the frost comes aud opens
the burS, the clean, sweet beechnuts strew the
ground. and attract eager children. Now that
the Sweeter blueberries borlered the road on
both sides, Amy came every day and filled her
little basket. Nobody picked such sweet ber-
rieS as Amy.
II was hut half mile to the Morgan place
Amy often went there in company with her sis
tiers, but not alone. She only went little
way, perhaps a third of the distance, to Gil
her basket but aS they were having down
there. she ventured little further-so far that
she could see them away down in the field
there, moving aud tossing about the hay. and
old Turk and Brown yOked and lying down by
the cart. ready to draw It home at night Next
day she ventured further Isaac was loading
the cart. and the colonel was on il. slowing the
load. George and james were raking. They
SAN Amy in the distance, and called her. She
was glad 10 70 and see them rake the hay, and
show them her berries.
Wheu the load was finished, Isaac lifted her
np to ride home with her father Old Turk
aud Brown did not mind the additional load,
but logged laLs!y home, no way disposed TO
give unnecessary jolts. Delightful ride was that
upon the hay To Amy. No splendid coach in
Broadway ever bore happier freight.
The next day she went again. She filled
the basket sooner than before, and was in the
Geld before the time Of loading up for home.
After talking aud playing few moments with
! George aud James. who were too busy TO be
detained long, she returned TO heap her basket
little higher, and pick some wild flowers TO
put into her little vase.
She did not return 70 the field bat that
/ caused 10 alarm. They supposed she had re
: turned home. The road was plain. and almost
| the whole way was in sight, either Of the field
where they were at work, or Of her home. In
| one place it diyergrd little way into the
woods. along the border of which it ran, but
soon returned There was no getting out of
it, for no other roads led from it, aud, besides
being so recently travelled with heavy loads OF
hav, ii was as plain as the turnpike.
/ But Amy did not return home. As they
/ l.. IL, sf,.1s
turn with tie load, they could moi be alarmed,
and the hours passed on.
But where Vas Amy?
When She returned TO the road, she heape,i
up her little basket as long as the berries would
| lie. and then she sat down her basket by lit
tie tree and looked for flowers for her boQuet.
| Tie summer san had dried up mast of the pret-
" flowers. but here and there might be found
q tall yellow Iilv. or bunch of columbineS, or
an oNeye daiSy-gaudv. but ScentleSS flowers.
But she gathered the faireSt she could find ana!
in her hands lhey looked fair enough and
still she wandered on. looking for more and
prcttier. She Was pursuing the direction oE-
pssite from home, aS she knew we'll enough,
but meant TO return 10 her basket IN few ulI-
nuieS and ~ she went OF d little further, and
a little further still
In the edge Of the woods. a very little way,
size saw a bunch OF beautiful flowers, crimson
snt GOLD Country people call the plant cclan-
tlIs,s. and children call the flowers IadyiS ear
,lrofS. Amy ran in ana gathered them There
were q cooI many They grew around and
among solae stones which were partly covered
with White moss. She filed both hands, anu
shea FASTENED back where she had placed her
basket. Sue returned 20 the road, and ran
along in il, rot doabting that she WAS return
ing. her little brain Was Confused" tarne1
round" as they say-she was going the WrcaS
Hay-stiil away froa home HcF Etiie cape
bonnet covered her face, rs she ran along vita
her eyes uyoG the ground, but oacc IN . While
lJckiBg up 10 sec the tree where she had de
+ l-sSjtei her basket. She IAN Sso<.i way ,''lef
+ sae wa.kc,i i Sood Wsy sill she o0Gd not
,sG tx ;Ecc-L3. IA. :ggt there Tert S,~s-