Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-08-24
Mind Mother.

III was long weary anu sOFrOWlui Iluc
that Willie and Minnie had that afternoon,
penned up in a close, filthy wagon, filed with
all kinds Of camp rubbish The woman in
whose charge they had been placed kept
strict watch over them, lest they should show
their faces outside Of the torn wagon cover
and thus be seen and rescued by those whom
they met.
1t was not until long after nightiall that
they came to a halt, and began to make prep
arations for camping until morning. A fire
was kindled and supper cooked by the wo-
men, while the men stretched themselves
upon the ground watching the operation The
children had most Of them gone to sleep in
the wagons, all but Willie and Minnie. There
was no sleep for their eyes swollen with cry
ing and tears.
After little while the man who had de-
coyed them away came to the wagon where
they were, and asked them if they wanted
some supper Glad of an excuse to escape
from their cage, they went with him and tried
to eat, but they could not.
Such a supper None of mammals cool
milk and sweet bread and butter, that they
loved so much No cheerful table and snowy
cloth, no mamma to help. them, no papa to
romp with after they were done. No wonder
that the tears started afresh when they saw
the coarse black bread and fat slices Of meat
spread out on a board that lay on the ground
And there was a muddy something in the cups
that they called coffee
Yes, it was rough meal. But the gip-
sizes seemed to enjoy it. They talked and
laughed before, and smoked and chatted after
it, while some of the little ones, who had
crawled out from their nests, were eating
what might be left
Poor Willie and Minnie were not hungry,
and if they had been, their appetites could
not have rolished the rough fare set out be.
fore them.
In going back to their bed in the wagon, il
company with the woman in whose care they
were put, they passed by where the 4" little
horsy" was tied to stake driven into the
ground.
1t lifted its mild eyes toward them as they
approached and as they passed held down it
head that Minnie might put her hand on it
silky name.
{" Pretty little horsy! said Minnie, for 0
moment forgetting her tears when the wo
man, pleased that the children noticed th'
pony, said,
" And if you are real good, and don't or,
and whimper around like couple Of kittens
you may have that little horse all to your
selves"
Wed rather 90 home to mamma thai
have your little horse,n exclaimed Willie
whereupon she reached down, lifted him rough
ly into the wagon, and putting Minnie besid
him, babe them GROSSLY to 60 right to sleep.
All this time, what a terrible suspense a
the children's home They had not bee
, missed until nearly dark, the servant girl
attention being so absorbed in her guest tina
: she had forgotten the charges her mistre'
, had given her, and the father and mother II
, turned together about nightfall to find the
, children gone.
7 Search was Immediately made, but with
! out any traces Of the children. The gps
/ camp on the common was visited, but the
found the gipsies gone. Then the terrib
suspicion broke upon their minds that thei
7 children had been stolen. They had ofte
read Of such things being done, but now thei
own darlings had been taken. Can you in
C agine the terrible sufferings of that fathC
: and mother hunting for their lost children
| A few Of the neighbors were soon assen
: bled, and mounted on horses and armed wit
r weapons, they started in pursuit. After
: long search they found the route the gipsie
t had TAKEN and galloping after, they wei
e soon lost in the darkness, the mother remai
e ing at home in an agony Of grief.
t Long after midnight, from hill overlool
y ing beautiful valley, as it appeared in IL
/ moonlight, they discovered light shining Q
=, from the road, in kind of clear space nei
}. to stream of water.
d There is the gipsies' camp" exclaim'
!. one Of the men. ave must approach quiC
9 ly until we get very near to it, and then ru
in upon them and secure the children viii
they are all asleep"
mo" said the father " let me 60 alor
into the camp. while you remain little di
. tance away, and l will ask them kindly
a give me my children; and then, if they
a not do it, we will use force"
So they rode more slowly until they car
. closer TO the light, when they saw sittll
- near it on the ground girl, nearly grow
: dressed in half gypsy and half Indian costum
When she heard the horses feet and sa
!. them stop, she arose and went toward the
Are you after the children, gentlemen
!, she asked, with a foreign accent.
: Yes" said the father. do you knC
N where they are ?"
"a al will bring them to you, sill" she a
"a swered calmly. Il have been looking
y you to come after them. They are not t
;, first that have restored to their friends.
e am not one Of them, but am compelled 10
l. with them; why, would be too long sto
h for you now. But looked for you to-nigl
oe and built this fire to guide you, as the cal
~ has been in darkness these many hours"
- She left them, and was lost in the gloom
"a the forest. The father, in great suspen
10 waited for her return. Presently she I
y poared, leading Willie, with his face tel
a. stained, and Minnie asleep on her arm, SC
y. bing even in her slumbers.
W The father clasped them to his breast, mi
muring words Of endearment to them, a
thanks to her who had brought them saf'
to him. But what shall i give you
what you have done 2" he asked the girl,
Nothing, sir; this is only part of my
&c siness with these people. Good night y a
she sprang away and was lost in the darknC
he The oyerjoyed father, with his friends, re
home, the little ones clinging to his neck
,ol an ecstacy of delight, Willie murmuri
I" We won't disobey mamma and get eau
10 by the gpsies again, Minnie, will we ?" 81
~ Willie" replied Minnie, drowsily; " but
that toas a-pretty little horsy !"--ScloOtc
0u Visitor.
= THE BlBLB.-IIe who cannot find time