Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-04-06

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meaning such as never before. We can c
see how there is JOY deep and thrilling over
the wanderers return, such as is not, and !
cannot be felt over those who have not c
" been from home" and yet how love for
the latter may be none the less tender and
enduring.
Monday evening of last week, after a
hard days work, we left the office and
started homeward. In the room below we
found Mrs. E. in waiting, and together
starred up State street. About half way,
we met our oldest son, and saw that he
had some tidings of evil. He could only
say, " Little RAINY is lost, and we cannot
find him any where" The little one is
the lamb ofour fold, a 5right-eyed boy be-
tween two and three years of age, with
fair hair hanging in sunny ringlets.-
Dear child-his little feet always patter
on the hall when we ring the bell at noon,
his arms have always" a hug" and his ro-
sy lips q kiss for papa.
We hastened home and asceItained that
he had been gone nearly an hour. The
immediate ncighborhood had been search
ed in vain. We started instantly-the
streets, alleys, etc, within reach we're ira
versed, but no tidings. Night was at hand
and evidently our child was beyond our
neighborhood, and that cold night was lost
in the midst of this great Babel.
Notice was sent to the police station,
and to some of the churches having service
that evening. A friend procured the crier.
We had often heard that bell, and the cry
Of "lost child" but never fell the tones so
sadly as we heard them that night, as be
cried, "Lost child-a little boy, not three
years old, lost from 1T2 Edna Place, bare
headed, light curly hair, had ona red dress,
stockings and little slippers" Oh, those
cries We have heard them ever SINCE
Kind friends came to our aid, strangers
with fearful sympathy, parties were formed,
who patrolled the streets and alleys in all
directions, but came back with the sad
word, "No tidings."
The hours wore on, and near midnight
the search was given up for the night.
Dear reader may you never pass a night
of such suspense! We sat by the fire, and
how our hearts would bound as a foot.tep
neared our gate. Perhaps it is some one
from the police station with our child
No the steps sound on. Our door is pas
sed
We. did pray, we did commit our child
to the All Father, and that alone sustained
US. But we could not shut out the visions
which crowded upon us unbidden. Now we
imagined we heard his wall above the
moaning of the tempest and signing of the
waves now we saw him lying upon the
background, those locks frozen to the earth
then again we saw him caught in the net
work Of railroads on Clarke street, ant
crushed to a shapeless mass.
Slowly passed the hours. Will daylight
ever come? 1t came at last. Ere we be
gan our search again, we went into th
breakfast room and there lying upon tn
sewing machine, was his little hat. w
turned from it, and in the corner stood hi
rocking horse with his reins drawn owe
his head, Just as he left it, while on the tabl
was his plate, with his high chair besid
it. Up to that moment We maintained OF
frmness, but we could no longer.
Friends came to assist us. God bless then
} Never did we need them more-nevC
did we appreciate them more highly
Tle authorities placed the police at OF
service, to make the search thorough.
Still no tidings. Nearly eighteen hou
had passed, each hope had been crushe
and the prospect grew darker.
At this ~juncture came a German to Il
house, and said that if our child was the O
described, he was safe, and he would bril-
him. We did not see him, and on lear
ing the news, drove to the place we supp
sed he designated, but found no child.
Homeward again. he had not come.
The friends engaged in search had in p:
returned, and were waiting the result
this intelligence, ere they should go aga
The anxiety was too deep for words.
last we saw some one coming-hOW J
one can see who looks for a lost child
nearer and nearer. 1t vast was
child! God be praised, he was safe
Sacred be the mothers emotions, mo
ers can imagine them!
Our friends gathered with swimminge
about the child. There was no need
to call them to " come and rejoice with
There were three other children who
notbeenin peril; three who had not wan(
cd, three whom W. loved as we loved
fourth, but oh, there was in our he;
there was among our neighbors, more
over ONE than over the three that went
astray! More, aye MORE! We did
love them less, but the JOY was over
rm. rescued.
An honest German had found the !
wanderer a long distance from home,
er, saw that he was lost. He took hin
and carried him to his house, placed
in a crib and rocked him to sleep,
washed and fed him and restored hi
our arms. We asked him to accept
= cuniary recompense, but he refused, sa
in broken English, 81 have children,
if one of mine was lost would want
. one to take him up. No, mono mo-
and he buttoned his coat over his leu
heart, and bid US good-by.
lent Will our readers pardon this per
detail? 1t has taught US some lesso
nan Never before did we fully know the in
rim of that word suspense. Never did W
the terrible meaning of the word To-
the Never did we so read the declaratl
n as JOY in heaven over the repenting!
cav never did we fully appreciate the XII
that ~tentions of friends, whom we thank
who the depths of our inmost nature, an
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