The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1856-12-03

neao, with some rather 4netfectual effort;
at baby-talk.
Mounting his horse again, and keep
ing her in his arms, he took circuit ot
a mile around the spot, hoping to find
the lost guardians. But the tiny shoe
which mated the one upon her foot, and
a blue ribbon-sash hanging upon the
thorns of rose bush, where all that he
discovered.
Something in the color of the blue
scarf and something in the color of the
baby's eyes, which vas a soft, bright
dark hazel, reminded him of history
| in his past life which it was part of his
purpose in coming west to forget. He
thought it very ridiculous in himself to
connect things so remote from each 9th
er, even in fancy; nevertbelt SIS. he Drew
the child closer to his heart and spoke to
it in the sOftest tone of his deep and
musical voice
But what was to be doneo The sun
was going down behind the earth as into
sea of emerald and jasper. He had
meant to pass the prairie before =hi;
but now he thought it best to remain
where he was, in the faint hope that
some one would come to claim his charge.
He had come upon little brook trick
ling through the grass in gully, as he
described the circle of a mile, with a
little clump of trees to which he could
fasten his horse, making it desirable
place upon which to camp out. Here
he alighted and began preparations for
the night. His little companion left to
herself upon the grass, commeuc, d again
her plaintive cry after ''Inamma, mann
na!' Occasionally, in the course of
preparing his supper, he would try to
beguile her away from the one desire
which yearned in her forlorn little heart,
but in vain. Like dove moaning in
the wilderness, she kept up her sorrow
full cry A few sticks broken from the
deep branch of tree furnished him
18th msterials for fire, which he kin
died upou the ground. the prairie grass
being too green to endanger its burning.
In a little tin-pot he boiled a cup of
tea a portion of which he sweetened for
the child, but she was too much grieved
to be induced to partake of it. His
steed, who had 9uenched his thirst in the
streau, cropped at his leisure the fra
grant bI0ssolns and rich verdure about
his ut.
By this time the meal of tea, toasted
crackers, and the dried meat was over,
| twilight had descended over the scene,
and the infant had sobbed her poor,
weary little self to sleep. AIr. Fielding
took blanket from his poitmauteau,
and being nearly as tired as she, took
the sleeper to his bosom teuderly. wrap
ped the blanket about them, and, will.
some of their traps for pillow, disposed
| himself for the night.
Before slumber closed upou his con-
| lectures, he had concluded that the mys-
terry might be accounted for by the fact
that the Indians had lately been trouble
some, and that there were reports at The
last settlements of their having been
seen prowiing about the neighborhood
for the past few days.
How sad and terrible it must be il
some emigrant family had been attack
ed by them, tho father murdered, the
mother borne off into slavery, aud the
child left to perish! What agony must
not that mother at this moment be ell
during! Was she young and beautiful?
| Had she eyes like those of the infant
whose soft breath played over his cheek?
There had been no traces of any mur-
derous struggle about the spot where he
found the babe; but they might have ta-
ken it with them some distance and then
thrown it away at last, because it i'm
peded their flight Thus unused the
traveller until his fancy melted into ill.,
distinct visions; and, with only his lorse
for guard and his gun for defence, he
slumbered as sweetly upon the wide plai,
as he ever had done in the spacious hall
of luxurious civilization.
A kiss upon his cheek and the caress
of a soft hand awOke..him in the morning,
and he dreamed for blissful moment
that he was u married man.
"Denr Myrtle" he said, in a. raptur.
ous tone, at which the baby laughed, as
If familiar with the name, thereby awak
.ning him to seuse of his situation
Quickly the sweet dream vanished; and
IS he spra"g to his feet, ready dressed
for moment cloud of pain was upon
his brow; but it faded presently as he
became absorbed in his culinary prepar.
atious, while his companion sat upon the
blanket and watched his movements
with pretty curiosity.
After breakfast, the two resumed
their Journey. Dir. Fielding thinking ii
useless to wait there any louger. The
child sat quietly in front of him. seem
lug to enjoy tue ride. aud yet musing
over some secret grief of her OWL; but
she bad no language by which to tell
either her grief or her sorrow,' except
her one word, "mamma."
The hot July sun was very endurablf