The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-05-01

Giving the invalid his wafer, paused .
moment TO mix draueht of medicine, my
thoughts foil of the smoking stove and dis
tasteful duties that awaited me below and
just then, shrill and clear, came Little
Pearls cry. threw down the dose was
mixing. exclsiming almost angrily: .'
cit is no use can't get along, no mat
ter hoy hard strive. What shall do
nowi Oh, dear! do wish had no ba-
by"
My very finger tips thrilled with terror
the instant the unwomanly wish passed my
lips and, clearing the steps at two or three
bounds. | rushed 10 the corner where her
crib stood, eager to clasp her to my bosom
and pour out my remorse 10 tears and kis-
ses. | snatched aside The curtain. The
crib was there. SO was the snowy pillow
bearing the damp impress Of her head but
Little Pearl was gone. For moment l
stood dumb and almost senseless, then q
quick thought came 10 my relief.
Ned had stolen her To brighten me-"
cried, and rushing out. searched every.
where TO find him, but in vain.
The mist was thickening into rain.
knew we'll enough that he was too careful Of
her TO expose her in such manner; yei
clung 10 the belief that he had stolen her
as elung to my lille There were fresh
foot prints In the black mud about The door
leading out toward the wood lot where Ned
aud The men were at work. followed them,
my head uncovered. unmindful OF the shrIl
wind aud driving rain. plunging ankle deep
into the yielding soil at every step. About
half way saw something IN the path before
me. Ii sas little crimson stocking! My
heart leaped for joy. Ned had stolen her,
and she had kicked il from her foot on the
way ; il was cruel in him 10 frighten NE so,
| wondered il he had heard that silly wish
Of mine
Half mile from the house met him
and the men coming home to dinner. He
started forward The moment he caught sight
Of me.
"Oh. Bell what's the matteri Is Little
Pearl sick !"
One glance at his white, startled face
convinced me that my hope was vain ye,
cried out angrily. " you've got the child,
Ned. aud you know you have don't torture
me any longer"
!" Belle, what do you mean J"
!" She's gone--Little Pearl. You stole
her. Ned, TO frighten mef"
"No, on my soul, Belle"
Then she's gone God has granted me
my wish. Oh, my baby my baby"
| was rushing past him, bu, he caugh,
and held me fast, commanding me to tel
him sll--and did. And then his after
words thrilled my very soul with horror.
!" The Indians! the Indians. boysn he
cried !" they passed US, you know. The,
must have stolen her. Come y
They followed him without word-and
so did |. Over the sponsy prairie mud
the chill wind and driving rain beating il
our faces. through dense dripping woods
down TO the shore Of the river. But We
we're too late. The last canoe was moored
on the opposite shore. God has granted MI
my wish. had 20 baby.
| Little Pearl could not be found, although
our Efforts we're ceaseless. Her crib re.
rpained in the corner, with an impress q
her head on its pillow but the little laugh
ling face that looked up at 10 IRON ih,
depth OF the coyeilids was gone forever.
had ample time to perform all my house
hold labors then. No little. quivering cry
to detain me when Twas busy; no cling
ing hands holding mine, and Keeping then
idle. My wish wa, granted me ] had M
baby!
The desolate, inconsolabIe sorrow Of th'
days that followed no tongue can portray
the tender longing. the sharp. stinging re-
msrse. Bot we lived, and worked. Tor lif'
snd labor must 60 on, no matter how sore
and weary our hearts may be. At the en'
Of Eve years, Ned looked around him OF
the ripe fruiton of his most sanguine hopes
He had bsilt him not only home. but