The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1869-01-27
An UnWtliing baby Eronaut.

A NASHVILLE paper OF JaHuaEy A5t,
gives m account OF nchild having been
caught mp, and CARRIED Of two miles by
m eagle, from o. farmhouse near
Meigsvllle, Jackson county, Tenn, on
tho afternoon Of the day before Christ
mas. 1t seems TINT during It's parcnt's
abscr, GO from home, tho child Of q Nr.
Whitesilo, just old enough to walk
little, was loft asleep IN Its cradle, BY
tho servant, for q few minutes, while
she was milking at tho barn, and,
waking, maile It's way out Of doors,
whom o large gray eagle, passing over,
made a downward swoop, and, just as
tho servant came out Of tho barn, took
+itup. with. apps seut III i&ouIty, aud gov
off across the trec-tops of neighbor-
ing wood, toward the Cumberland
river, which was about two miles
away. The girl grew dizzy, It Is stated,
at the dreadful sight, and fell bnt the
chill wind blowing into her face soon
revived her, just as the cagle was dis
appearing across the woods. A wild
impulse of affection at once seized her
to save the child, anl she madc her
way like q deer across the fences and
into the thicket and tangled wood, and,
feeling that tho eagles flight would be
in n straight line, sho took q straight
course also, without looking for foot
paths. The wood, It Is stated, was
fully mile nnd O half wide, but she
made the run to the further edge with
out feeling iatigucd. Beyond 1t, and
between 1t and the river, lay space Of
cleared ground, partly marsh and part
~ cornncld, full Of old stuInps. Enter
Ing this open ground, and having q
clear view, she saw tho eagle showing
signs of alighting with his burden
somewhere near the river. This gave
her new hope and courage, and she ran
forward with fresh speed. 1t luckily
happened that there was man hunt
ing in the neighboring marshes, and
that Just at the instant the eagle
touched the ground shot was heard
80 near him (or the hunter was behind
Il clump Of bushes twenty yards away,
with his back toward tho spot where
the eagle dcsccnded) that lie rose into
the mir again suddenly without the
child. The girl in pursuit was filled
with JOY, but fearing the eagle would
return to its prey, she began q vigor-
ous shouting as she ran, which at
tractcd the hunters attention in that
direction, and he, seeing the eagle
quite near him. and woman rushing
toward him with streaming hair and
garments and wildly shouting, con-
cludcd ut once that there was some
thing wrong, and thereupon began
halloins ticrccly and hastily loading
his gun. This caused the eagle to
hesitate, md then wheel around, swing
himself away across the river aud dis
appear. When the girl came up to the
hunter she fell helpless. and was not
able to indicate to him what was the
matter. But while he was endcavor-
ing 10 restore her he heard tho crying
Of q child. and going toward the place
from which it came, lie found Il fine,
healthy. rosy boy, with torn clothes,
but unhurt, trying TO rise up on his
little feet, md with tears running
down his pitcous checks. Tho hun
ter took up the baby and carried it to
the girl, who was now sufficiently re-
covered to understand that it WAS snfc,
aud she clasped it TO-. her bosom,
kissed it over and over, and wept with
joy. Meanwhile, the parents Of The
child came home, and finding It empty,
with no sign to indicate where tho in.
mates were gone, and bucket of
spilled milk out near the barn, which
the servant had dropped in her flight,
they naturally became anxious; but
tho return Of the servant, with the lit
tie unwilling gronaut, who had the
most thrilling adventure for future re-
lation, quietcd their uncasiness, and
Christmas was merry and happy.