Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-12-01
The Lost Man.

ed in the borders OF East Montpelier, n
far from Calais line. on the County Roi
leading TO IIsrdwick, laboring ms
named Hiram Hart. He was consider
bly, below the medium height, of sligl
figure, full, flushed face, active in his hal
its, peaceable, industrious, sober. H
family consisted of wife and five chill
dred, the Oldest q son now about thirty
two years of age, and four girls, tb
youngest an infant at the time the fact
occurred which I am about to narrate.-
Mr. Hart was poor man, possessed Q
small farm which he diligently culiva
ted, and worked for bis neighbors IT,
remainder of the time. lie was a kin,
father, provident husband, a generou
neghbor, useful citizen, and, for one il
his condition Of life, a man of fair intelli
gence. His wife was an invalid who hat
been confined to her bed some fineer
years, and still is, The Lord not yet hav
ing seen fit to call her home.
On the 18Th day of December, 1849
Mr.. H. left bis home to 60 on some bust.
ness to the house of Chester Bliss, resi-
ding in an obscure portion of the town
known ms the West neighborhood or the
Horn-of-the- Moon. Whether or not it
Is The same as mentioned in Locke A,Bss
den, Dir. Thompson can tell better than
we. But tinker Mr.. Hart went, and af-
ter transacting his business with Mr.. b.
departed towards Montpelier Village on
foot, whittier lie told Mr.. b. he was 90
ing, and should return home that way
But night came on and Mr. Fl. not re-
turning, Bliss supposed be h a d gone
home another and nearer way. But be-
came not and from that time 10 this he
has never been seen by any person who
has given any tidings of hin to his afflic
ted family.
They did not know be defended to be
gone over night, nor is it probable that
when be left home he did so intend, but |
when the next day passed, and he did '
not return, they began 10 make inquiries f
and employed others to do the same, but r
TO our knowledge, not one reliable trace q
OF The missing man was ever found. A y
heavy snowstorm coming Immediately af. HI
Ter, all the roads leading from his house b,
TO Montpelier were thoroughly searched, hi
whole neighborhoods turning out to en-,
gage IN the same, fearing he might from h
fatigue have seated himseIfby the side of pa
the road and persisted. No means were tex
left untried to fnd the man il alive, or his on
remains if he was not. Old and un- tol
used buildings in the village and along hii
The road, were ransacked for the missing as
man; the search was even pushed un- he
der churches, and other buildings where be
there seemed any possibility man could ge
hide himself away from the cold and tut
storm. But all in vain. He was seen ha
in Montpelier till nearly night of the day gu
ne lett home, but where he went, or what let
became nf him has never come TO light. VIZ
Many were the surmises as 10 the SO ST.
luton of the mystery. Inquiries were lol
directed into all the surrounding towns.
Everybody whom it was supposed could
possibly have any knowledge of him was &c
questioned, but all effort was of no avail. ca
After the snow Of that winier had disap-
peared the roads were again searched cr
throughout al that vicinity, by indi dis
viduals AID by companies, and jail with &C
the same success. And so the wears y
have passed away. The children have hu
grown TO womanhood. the son to middle ca
age, and the invalid wife still lives, hav. ed
ing been confined TO her bed for nearly g'
ihiriy-hve years. Long, long has she er
mourned for her husband, but no tidnps tea
ever came, and there seems no reason to ii'
suppose ever will come to the bereaved an
family, till that time when The mysteries zen
of earth shall be cleared up and the dark the
places be made light. 1t cannot be that SUI
this long afflicted woman can live much e&
longer to await the full knowledge Of the ROY
truth N. Record. aio