Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1861-04-11

river bed. That mother scorned me, and
now hold her baby close to my heart Oh,
wouldn't she speak fair to me now-wouldn't
she 60 down on her knees and pray for mer-
cyf but I'll have no mercy, even as she had
none for me p
81 can't find my mother; will you take lit
Annie May home ?"
What soft pleading voice somehow it
softened the half insane woman, and she
smiled upon the child
at will not hurt the little one," she thought,
''the water will seem cold only for moment
and then its happy mother will know what
misery is !"
Armies wistfuI, frightened blue eyes looked
conhdingly into the pale, haggard face OF
Nancy Cole. Please take me home" she
lisped in touching accents
Nancy slowly shook her head.
II know you will take little Annie home I"
and the loving child flung her arms around
her neck and pressed her fresh, rosy lips upon
her hollow cheek.
That caress, that kiss, the fragrant breath
mingling with hers, changed her cruel pur-
pose in an instant She could not harm
Single naIr OF the little angrIs neau. I,iI
take you home" she said, with revulsion OF
feeling. 81 will tell your proud mother that
hate her, and unwillingly bring blessing
instead of a curse to her home"
AT that moment she heard watchman
cry, "a child is lost girl three years old
missing since noon-blue eyes and curly
hair-had on pink dress and white apron
a child is lost tr'
Nancy wrapped little Annie IN her own
tattered shawl and hurried along the way,
never faltering an instant, though she was
worn with excitement and long abstinence-
She had found the child, but felt no Joy in
the thought of that which she was to im-
part to others, only a spiteful, unholy sense
OF triumph, that the woman who had scorned
her should owe her so much
Mrs. May had grown quite wild with anx-
lety and fear. ooh, Betty" she said TO her
servant girl, - it is night, and my darling is
not found | will 90 out and search for her
again, will not stay here inactive"
Betty wiped her eyes, saying, IL am sure,
ma'am, the sweet crayther will be found, and
the master told ye to stay here and take care
Of her when they bring her home"
but 1t seems TO ms that | could find her
before anybody else-oh, where is my little
Annie who will take care Of her tonight ?
-hark, somebody is coming in-'tis my dar-
ling, hear her voice.
Nancy Cole staggered into the room with
her precious burden and sank down exhaust
ed
The mother clasped her child in silent
transport, and Betty exclaimed, and wiped
her eyes vigorously.
Heaven bless you for bringing my darling
home where did you find her Z" said Mrs.
May to Nancy.
Il found her by the bridge, long way
from here. knew she was yours, and
brought her home, though you sent me away
this morning because | was too bad even for
you to speak to. | couldn't harm the child,
| though / would rather have cursed than
blessed you, her mother"
Is 1t possible? are you the woman who
called this morning? Oh, forgive me, and
may God forgive me, too love you, and
bless you r. aud Mrs. May took Nancy Coles
! hand in hers and Tressed it iervently.
| But Betty frowned, and eyed Nancy dis
| daintully.
| 1T is Nancy Cole, ma am, and what do ye
| think she brought Annie home f, RI Ill tell
| -. IT. for thS pay, aud its not the first time
| that childers have been takeu from their own
| doorstep and then brought back after the
mlthers had cried their eyes out, just for the
money they'd get"
"Oh, Betty demonstrated her mistress.
| Ask the child" said Nancy. rising TO her
| feet, but sinking back again from weakness.
| From little Annies artless story she soon
| learned the truth of what Nancy had said
and Betty, halfashamed, retired to the kitch-
| en-.
Then the father and grandfather came in,
| sad and discouraged, TO find the lost treasure
they had sought unayailingly seated in its
mothers arms.
Ii was a moment OF JOY and surprise, and
Nancy's heart had softened. and mist came
| before her eyes as she saw the little one press
ed first to one and then the other mani
| breast.
This is the person We must thank and re.
ward" said Mrs. May; d" she found Annie
| away down by the bridge and brought her &c
me in her arms"
But Nancy shrank away from their cordial
and grateful words. She knew the gray
haired man-it was the minister whose word'
had moved her so strangely. He in her eyes
| was so noble and exalted that she felt un
| worthy even to breathe the same atmosphere
She drew her shawl about her and rose {,
depart
Don't 90 now - said Mrs. May, gently de
tanning her. Look at her, father; she Is the
one / sent away this morning. Has she no
returned good for evil :"
God bless you. my good woman :" and th
old gentleman took her hand in his and look
ed kindly in her face.
Nancy trembled and cried, Il am not good
but very wicked, so very bad have not
friend IN the world, nor place to call home
Poor woman, this shall be your home. W
will be your friends, and We will belp you Il
do right =" and Mrs. May drew near wit
streaming eyes.
Still the wretched woman looked into In
kindly face of the old man. Il heard yo
preach last night, and thought God had sen
you to save me. But to-day have been j
despair, would have drowned myself ha
not | found the child CRYING for home
yes, father" said Mrs. May, "she woul
have cursed me, but she brought blessn
instead"
And now the blessing shall return t
her," said the minister gently and soemnl!l
A blessing for her Nancy trembed stl
! more, and her lips quivered. -,
At this moment Annie went to her sid'
; saving sweetly, Il love you, for you brougf
little Annie home" :
Suddenly Nancy fell upon her knees b
: the child, claspIng her in her arms and weeI
ing passionately, and, instead of being trigh
, ened, Annie smiled and repeated, /" / lo'
. you~
.WiIl YOU stay with US until we can fin
you home? We will help you and try
! make you happy"
Nancy looked up, saying brokenly, ID
; you ask if will stay here with you, and wi
you help me TO do right I"
Yes, hastily responded the friends OF II
tie Annie, and then the grateful, repental
woman bowed her bead again and wept
though the fountain of tears was unseaied.
Meanwhile the father had sent messenge
to inform the authorities of the recovery c
the child, and now the watchman's loud sonc
rous voice was heard proclaiming the GA
news-"Ths child is found and all s well
The child is found and all IS tceR wat
quicker heart-throbs the father and mothe
drew the lamb of their love to their embrace
/ | their lost, found treasure