The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1857-09-11

Let me co. she cried, Il will 60. II
walk on my hands and knees all over til,
mountain, il the Lord will only give mt
back my children. But he never will, h,
never WILL she said, rocking herself and
speaking in tone of hopeless agony.
Il told 'em didn't want to see en-
again in a hurry, and he has took me al
my word
The ncighbors gazcd at the poor, fran
tic creature with tears in their eyes, say
ing what they could, in voices choked by
emotion, to soothc her. One suggested
that the children had found shelter in n
log hut standing at the foot Of the noun
tain. Another said they might have been
waiting under some capacious tree, till the
rain ceased, in which case they were now
on their way home, as there was only a
slight drizzlc at present. But the mother
would not be comfortcd.
Don't say that she cried sharply, 'for
YOU know it amt so. It's been drizzling
Tor n. iIour, and they'd have becn here ii
it was so.' The neighbors felt the truth
of this. oh. will nobody go for them,'
she sliriekcd; and with II wild and sud-
den effort she freed herself from the
women who held her, and rushed toward
the door, and gained the porch, when the
sturdy arms of John Brown caught and
restrained her.
Let Inc go, let me 60 she cried, pas
sionately, writhing to release herself
They're my children, and no one goes
for them. Then, finding she was power
less in the grasp of her herculean neigh
Dor, she added, oh, let me CO. in be-
scecling tone, so different from her usual
manner, that it brought tears to many a
manly eye.
Were all going said John Brown.
soothingly. You could dono good. It's
not night for woman to be out
He had not reflected, or he would not
have said it. Its effect was frightful.-
She renewed her frantic struggles to cs-
cape, glaring about her like tigress torn
from her young.
"Not night to be out she shricked,
yet my children are ont in it. Let me
go. Let me go, | say And in her in
sanity she bit the hand that held her till
the blood came.
Molly, Molly said strong voice at
that instant, and her husband pushed
through the group of men. Go in for
their sake, and have blankets and hot
water ready, for when We bring them back,
they'll dir, mayhap, for want OF proper
care-taking.' lie spoke in cheerful,
hopeful voice. She listened and grew
calm, as when maniac hears the voice
OF his keeper.
Taking her up rs he ceased, in his
strong arms, he carried her back into the
house, whcrchc first aflcctionatel ly smooth
cd the rail- drops from her hair, then kiss
cd her with rough kindness, and telling
her to keep up good heart, and have
everything ready when they returned, hur-
ricd away, lest she should see the tears
that began to gather, and roll down on
his check big and slow.
Now ncighbors,' he said, speaking
huskily, and drawing the back of his
hand across his eyes, as he stood once
more in the doorway, we will be oft, if
YOU say SO, for all is ready
4 thank you,' he added, with the
natural dignity of deep suffering, as n
dozen faces mutely expressed their sym
pathy, 4 know you will do as if it was
your own children; aud if it don't sue
ceed,' here his voice faltcrcd for mo-
mcnt, but struggling manfully hcwent on,
Gods will be done"