The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1859-03-01
THE HIDDEN HAND.
ny EMMA d. Z. N. soUTHwORTH,
ar,Aor of "7he Bride Of an Euening,' y
"THc Deserted Wye," &c, DC,
ICONTfNCED.I |

man at the door, rapplng impatlcntly.
".No, no. said AS directed
"He resumed histramping up and down,
and | went back to my patient. She beck
oued me to come close and whispered
"'Save my child the living one mean.
hide her oh, hide her from him, When
be demands the babe, give him the poor
little dead one he canno: hurt that. And
he will not know there was another Oh
hide and save my child
master, was used to queer doings, but
this was little the queerest But if |
vas to conceal that second child in order to
save it, it was necessary TO stop It's mouth.
for it was squailing Ike a wild cat. So |
took vial Of Paragoric from my pocket
and gave it drop. and it went off to sleep
like and angel. wrapped up warm and
laid it away with my shawl and bonnet, in
dark corner Just then the man wrapped
again.
"'COme in, master, said l.
"'No, bring me the babe, he said
81 took up the dead infant Its mother
kissed its brow and dropped tears upon its
little cold face and carried it to the man
outside
"Is it asleep ,'ithe villain asked me.
"'Yes, master, said |, as put it, well
wrapped up, in his arms, very sound a
sleep
80 much tie better, said the knavc,
walking away.
"I bolted the door and went back to my
patient With her free hand she seized
mine and pressed it to her lips, and then
held up her lett hand, pointed to the we'd
ding ring upon her third finger.
DRAW it off and keep it, she said
conceal the child under your shawl, and
take her with you when you 90 save her
and Jour fortune shall be made
ii declare, master, hadn't time to think
before | heard one of them wretchcs rap at
The door.
"'Come. get ready to 60 he said
"Shc also beckoned me FASTENED t.
her. With eager whispers aud deploring
gestures she prayed me 10 take her ring aud
save her child.
but you,' said I-"who is to attent
your
"I DO not know nor care, Save her
"Thc wrapping continued ran to th'
corner where had left my things. | pu
on my bonnet, made sort Of sling arount
my neck of the silk handkerchief, openc,
the large part of it like hammock an
laid the little sleeping babe there. Then
iOlded my big shawl around my breast an
nobody any the wiser The rapPing wa
very impatient.
Il am coming said l.
Remember" whispered the poor cir
al will, said |, and went and opene
the door There stood tothcr william wit
his head covered with black Grape.
dreamt of nothing but black headed demon
for six months atterward
"'Are you ready said he.
eyes, your worship said
"COme along then.
And binding another silk handkerchi,
round my eyes, he led me along.
Instead Of my mule carriage stoO
near the horse block.
Get in, said he, holding the pistol
my ear By way of an argument.
| got in. lie jumped up upon the DIR
yer's seat, and We drove like the wind
In another direction from which We cam
IN course. for there was no carriage roa
there. The carriage was whirlcd along
such a rate it made me quite giddy. !
last it stopped again. The man in the ma:
got down and opened the door.
Where are you taking ME p said l.
BE quiet said be, or and vii
that he put the pistol to my cheek, order'
me to got out, take the bandage from n
eyes and walk before him did 50. Al
aw dimly that We were in part OF 4
country that was never at before. v
we're in dark road through thick fore
On the left side Of the road, in clearir
stood an old house a dim light was bur
ing in a lower window
uV vi Ill tiiSTc S1iu tue MiiisiH, y
ting the pistol to the back of my head.
As the door stood ajar went in to n:
row, dark passage. the man all the while
ny back. He opened door on the /
sde. and made me 90 into dark room.
just then the unfortunate child, that h
been moving restlessly, began to vail
Well it might, poor starved thing
What's that ~ said the miscreant, |
der his breath and stopping short.
1t amt nothing, SIR says l, and 'hu
nh to the baby But the poor little wre
nised squall.
What is the meaning of this :. S
ne Where did that child come from
why the demon didn't You speak p {;
WIN that he seized me by the scruff of
neck and shook me.
Oh, master. for the love Of hea'
cont, says |, this is only poor unfo1
nate infant as its parents wanted to get
o. the way. and hired me to take care
Ahd ! have had it wrapped up under
nawi all the time 'cept when l was
yoar house. when l put it to sleep in
corner.