The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-11-20
From Peterson's Magazine.l
L I T T LIE P E A R L
BY EMMA GARRISON JONES.

was bitterly discontented that NOR.
ming, and there is no denying it--discon.
tented with my home, my husband, even
with my baby. I remember the morning
well, it was gray and cloudy, with a low
dragging mist, that chilled one to the
bone, and hung the tress with reekine
moisture. The black mud about the door
of our Western home, was thick and
deep; and the bare floor of our one room
was badly stained and soiled by the care
less feet of the rough-shod workingmen
I had been cleaning up all the morning,
but the more I cleaned the worse matters
seemed to grow; soap and sand only
served to render the black foot-marks
more visible; and when sudden puff OF
wind whirled the smoke and ashes down
the pipe of my cooking stove, covering
the books and tables I had just taken SO
much pains in busting of, I threw mysel!
into the rocking chair, and burst into a
passion of despairing tears.
We brought the rocking chair with US,
Ned and |, when we left our cottage, on
the outskirts of the city, and journeyed
westward. 1t was pretty cottage; my
eyes I'll with tears even now at the tho
of it, with its low, breezy windows,
through which the odor of roses foated
the liveloDg summer; and its. clean, we'll
ordered rooms, adorned WITH all those
charming, useless little toys, that go so
far toward making a, home pleasant and
attractive. II was my first home after
my marriage-and woman always loves
that home better than any other. We
were very happy, Ned and I; as cozy and
comfortable as two robins in the heart of
summer apple-tree. Ned was clerk,
but with good salary, and some little
additions flowing in now and then from
other resources. And when our baby
came, "Little Pearl" as we called her, our
happiness was complete.
But after awhile this new rapture be-
gan to cool; and as Little Pearls blue
eyes deepened and expanded, Ned began
to cast about him in sage and fatherly
manner.
"We must do the best we can for Lit
tie PEARLS sake, Bell"
That was the opening remarks dis
closure of his plans followed. He had
caught the western fever. "tWestward
the star of empire makes its way" Ned
quoted with telling emphasis, adding
1--WE must follow, Bell, and build up q
name aud a home for Little Pearll"
l assented, as l always did, to Ned's
plans; though, in my secret soul, 1 felt
that the movement was bad one. We
sold our pretty cottage and furniture at a
considerable sacrifice; Ned left his clerk.
ship; and the November after Little
Pearls birth found US in our western
home.
Ned had urged me to bring out oul
servants; but, in fit of high-strung he.
roism, I determined to be smaid of-all
work myself. Ned would have to sacri,
fee his ease and comfort would moi
be behind him. 1t was comparatively
light in the beginning, when only Nee
and myself were to provide for; but after
awhile the hired men came; and baby re-
quired more attention every day. Tht
fall rains set in, converting the spongy
soil into black, adhering mud. Iworkec
late and early, but found it impossible
to take care of my babe, and keep oul
rude home in anything like order.
bore up as long as l could; but at length
my strength utterly failed, and, sitting
down in the rocking chair, sobbed like
silly child. I thoughtof my old home
with its pretty, well-ordered apartments
Of the hours Of pleasant leisure and So
cial enjoymentto which had been &C
customed; and then, with fresh gust o
tears, I looked at the low, trailing mist
and around the small, lntidy room il
which I was imprisoned. 1t was wrons
in Ned to bring me to such place, ant
against my will, too, thought bitterly.
At that moment I heard the voice o
the sick, hired man calling for water, and
catching up the pitcher, brushed ava.
my tears, and ran up to the rude lof
where he lay. As I reached the bed,
saw by the sun that it was almost noon
and dinner was to cook for Ned and tn
hired-men. Giving the invalid the wa
ter, I paused moment to mix draugh
of medicine, my thoughts full of tn
smoking stove, and distasteful duties tha
awaited me below; and just then, shril
and clear, came Little Pearls cry.
threw down the dose I was mixing, ez
claiming, almost apgrily,
"It's ne use; I can't get along, no maj
ter how hard l strive. What shall
now? Oh, dearl | do wish | had no ba
by!"
! My very fnger-tips thrilled with tel
rer the instant the unwomanly wish ha
passed my lips; and, clearing the steps a
two or three bounds, / rushed to th
corner where her crib stood, eager t
clasp her to my bosom, and pour out m
remorse in tears and kisses. | snatche
aside the curtain, The crib was there, S
was the snowy pillow bearing the dam
impress Of her head; but Little Pearl wa
gone. For moment / stood dumb an
almost senseless, then swift though
came to my relief.
! "Ned has stolen her to frighten me-"
cried, and, rushing out, | searched ev'
rywhcre to find him; but in vain.
The mist was thickening into rain.
knew well enough that he was too caref1
of her to expose her in such manne
yet clung to the belief that he had st,
len her as 1 clung to my life. Thel
were fresh footprints in the black mu
about the door leading cut toward tt
wood-lot, where Ned and the men wei