The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-10

robins In the heart Of summer apple tree.
Ned was a clerk, bnt with good salary
and some little additions flowing In now
and then from other sources. And when
our baby came, "Little PEARL" as we
called her, our happiness was complete.
But after awhile this new rapture began
to cool; and as Little PEARLS blue eyes
deepcned and expanded, Ned began to
cast about him in sage and fatherly man
ner. ,.,
awe must do the best we can for Little
Pearls sake, Bell" u.,.
That was the opening remark-s dlsclo
sure of his plans followed. he had caugn,
the western fever westward the star "
empire makes his way" Ned quoted, WIN
telling emphasis, adding, 1--WE must follow
Bell, and build up a name and nome 'of
Little Pearl" ,,.
I assented, as / always did, to Ned,s
plans; though, in my secret SOUL 1Gi'
that the movement was bad one. we
sold our pretty cottage and furniture az a
considerable sacrifice; Ned left his CLERK
shin: and the November after Little
PEARLS birth found us in our western home.
Ned had urged me to bringiout our SER
wants: but in 1t of high-strung heroism
7 determined to be maid-of-all-work my
self. Ned would have to sacrifice his ease
and comfort-I would not be behind him.
Il was comparatively light in the begin
ming, when only Ned and myself were to
provide for but after awhile the hired men
came; and baby required more attention
every day. The fall rains set in, convert
ing the spongy soil into black, adhering
mud. worked late and early, but found
it impossible to take care of my babe and
keep our rude home in anything like order.
| bore up as long as / could; but at last
nv strength utterly failed, and, sitting
down into the rocking chair, l sobbed like
a little child. 1 thought of my old home,
with its well-ordered apartments; of the
hours of pleasant leisure.and social enjoy
ment to which ! had been accustomed ;
and then, with fresh gush of tears, |
looked out at the low, trailing mist, and
around the small, untidy room in which
was imprisoned. 1t was wrong in Ned to
bring me to such place, and against my
will, too, thought, bitterly.
At that moment heard the voice OF the
sick hired man calling for water, and catch
ing up the pitcher, brushed away my
tears and San up to the rude loft where he
lay. AS reached the bed, saw by the
sun that it was almost noon, and dinner
was to be got for Ned and the hired men.
Giving the invalid his water, paused
moment to mix draught Of medicine, my
thoughts full of the smoking stove and dis
tasteful duties that awaited me below !;
and lust then, shrill and clear, came Little
Pearls cry. l threw down the dose l was
mixing, exclaiming almost angrily:
alt is no use; l can't get along, no mat
ter how hard l strive. What shall do
nowY Oh, dear dc. wish had no baby!"
NV very fiDger-tips thrilled with terror
the instant the unwomanly wish had passed
nv lips; and, clearing the steps at two or
three bounds, l rushed to the corner where
her crib stood, eager to clasp her to my
bosom and pour out my remorse IN tears
and kisses. / snatched aside the curtain.
The crib was there, so was the snowy pill
low bearing the damp impress of her head;
but Little Pearl was gone. For moment
| stood dumb and almost senseless, then
quick thought came to my relief.
" Ned had stolen her to brighten me-" L
cried, and rushing out, | searched every
where to find him, but in vain.
The mist was thickening into rain.
knew well enough that he was too careful
of her to expose her in such manner;
yet l chung to the belief that he had
stolen her as | chung to my life. There
were fresh ot-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 uncover
ed. unmindful of the shrill wind and dri-
wing rain, plunging ankle deep into the
Welding soil at every step. About hall
way | saw something in the path before
me. 1t was little crimson stocking MY
heart leaped for joy. Ned had stolen her,
and she had kicked it from her foot on the
way: it was cruel in him to frighten me
so. | wondered if 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 matter? Is Lit
tie Pearl sick !''
One glance at his white, startled face
convinced me that my hope was vain; yet
cried out angrily, "You've got the child,
Ned, you know you have; don't torture
me any longer"
"Belle, what do you mean ?"
"She's gone-Little Pearl. You stole
her, Ned, to brighten me"
"No, on my soul, Belle"
"Then she's gone; God has granted me
my wish. Oh, my baby my baby J"
l was rushing past him, but he caught
and held me fast, commanding me to tell
him all-and l did. And then his after
words thrilled my soul with horror.
"The Indians! the Indians, boys" he
cried; "they passed us, you know. They
must have stolen her. Come"
They followed him without word-end
so did I. Over the spongy prairie mud,
the chill wind and driving rain beating in
our faces, through dense dripping woods,
down to the shore Of the river. But we
were too late. The last canoe was moored
on the opposite shore. God had granted
me my wish. had no baby.
Little Pearl could not be found, although
our efforts were ceaseless. Her crib re-
NAMED in its corner, with an impress OF
her head on it's pillow; but the little
laughing face that looked up at us from
the depth Of the coverlids was gone for
ever. I had ample time to perform all my
household labors then. No little, culver
ing cry to detain me when was busy; no
clinging hands holding mine, and keeping
them idle. Ny wish was granted me l
had no baby!
The desolate, inconsolable sorrow of the
DAYS that followed no tongue can portray:
the tender longing, the sharp, singing re-
morse. But we lived, and worked, for life