Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1856-10-31

tumn never passed without a number of In
vitations to all ofus in the vicinity, to meet
at his stately habitation. Gladly did we
answer this summons; and these occasions
were looked upon as the climax of our
pleasant hopes. Sometimes the occasion
was a party, sometimes an apple-bee, and
sometimes husking. AT these latter the
young men were expected to husk corn an
hour or more in the barn, and then adjourn
to the house, where bright eyes and well
served tables awaited upon them, and gen"
erallv, (you must excuse the pious Deacon's
inconsistency, for it caused him world of
trouble with his pastor) the old fiddler of
Woodside was in attendance, with his ros-
ined bow and dry jokes.
In our neighborhood lived widow with
daughter her only child. The rude dwell
ling and the few acres of rough land, which
her husband left her at his death, with the
toll of her industrious hands, were the only
means Of support. Yet she met her mis-
fortunes in brave, true spirit, and bestow-
ed infinite care upon her child, who grew
up with refinement and beauty rare in the
vicinity of Woodside.
One evening, in those days, we had all
been invited to the good Deacon's to husk-
ling. We had done all that was supposed
to be required in the barn, and had ad-
Ijourned to the joyful entertainment in the
house. Upon this occasion there was a
Young man named Stanley with us, noble,
generous fellow from the village, who some
times visited the Deacon, and had now
come to participate in our rude sports.
But we we're many ofus disappointed in not
seeing Ella, the widows daughter. She
was the light of our circle, and we all felt
that we could i'll afford to lose her even for
this once. But the merry proceedings soon
made us forget her absence; we were in the
height of our enjoyment, when the door
was suddenly opened, and the widow enter
: ed with pale countenence, agitated in
evcre feature. We all paused instantly to
+; learn the cause. 1t was explained in few
simple words.
a sent Elsie to the post-ofice this NOR
ming, and she has not returned. 1 have
been through the woods calling her, but she
did not answer. fear she is lost or has
: been seized with sudden illness, and left
: alone to die, or that some terrible evil has
befallen her."
Warm and sympathising hearts throbbed
: beneath the rude garments of that assembly
and there was a chain of feeling linking all
to single purpose, and that was to com
meGce the search instantly, and continue II
until the painful mystery was solved.
"She has lost her way" said the gooC
Deacon, to whom we looked instinctively fol
counsel "There are many paths at the 9th
er end of the woods, She has aiken the
wrong one and got bewildered. Let US al
90 and search till we find her. Give your
self no uneasiness, Mrs. King; but stay here
till we bring her to you, said he, to the eX
cited mother But she would not listen 1,
+ him, and joined the party.
The Deacon directed US to separate, anC
20 through the woods within hailing dis
: tance In this way we could take wid,
e range at each journey through the forest
We proceeded, calling ella" but we founC
ourselves upon the other side with no re
= Spouse. The moonless night, the deel
woods, the anguish of the mother, our owl
sympathy and fofbodings, made it an hou
+ Of awful and intense interest. Having pass
ed the woods without finding her, we formet
j again and passed over a new section will
g the same result. We again formed, auC
I. the waning moon soon came up, throwing ;
, dim light upon the scene, and making ou
] task more easy. But we again passed th'
woods with 20 response from the object o
5 our search. "Forn again," said the Dea
con, but we needed not the word Of com
mand; our sorrow gave strength, and W.
had no thought but to search till Ella wa
5 found The mother, now almost franti
: with despair, urged us on. You must al
know it was time of intense feeling.
As we were this time returning throug
u the woods, we heard the stcntorian voice 0
S Stanley calling out, "She is found - and tn
$ Joyous cry "She is found!" rang through tn
u old woods, as each one took it up and shout
o ed the glad tidiug5 to his noighbor in tn
search. The Deacon had surmiSed the tru
n cause of Elias absence She took tn
0 wrong path, and had wandered long way
: without knowing whittier she went. Nigh
$ overlook her, and bewildered and overcome
I with fear, her strength failed, AMI sinking
upon the leafy earth, she fell asleep. Stan
ley's strong voice aroused her, and he it wa
> who brought her to her grateful and weep
= ing mother.
Il The Deacon insisted that the entire part
should 90 to his house, and the dim light O
the dawn was awakening upon the hill-tops
when we entered it. The old fiddler though
? a lively tune and jig would be a fit cele
L ebration of the rescue; but the honest Dea
con had grave thoughts: "Put up you
fiddle" said he, 'this is a time for thanks
: giving to our heavenly Father. Let u
! thank Him that in His good providence tn,
lost is found and falling upon his knees
he poured out prayer of earnest and heart
felt thanksgiving.
: But l promised you dramatic finale t.
i this Renaissance of Autumn; and it came
7 about in this wise The generous young
Stanley was captiyated with Ella; anc
though many of US wished ourselves a
\ fortunate as he, we thought it right wher
i they were married few years after; ans
+ we have looked With satisfaction upon thc
: happy years that blessed their happy life
$ Life Illustrated.