Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1871-06-01

words sent Thrills OF ecSthsy tnIoukn NJ
heart, while its acts were such as mothers
love. A hundred things she had taught
the infant, and its aptness In imitation y
her was something wonderful. Early J,
had learned to walk, but with the fondes'
solicitude did the mother ever watch III
steps, lest harm should come to her oar
| ling treasure. -,
The first sharp pang Of the husband
loss had passed away, and although sh'
deeply mourned him yet, she began U
feel that her duty now was to prepare her
self and her little one for future life, ant
both for the reunion which must tax.
place beyond the tomb. And so she lived
her boy making her home once more
One day, after her ususl toll, the mother
sat reading newspaper article, where tn.
description of child having been kid
mapped was given. For q few moments
her mind had been absorbed, and the1
placing her hand against her brow, sh'
murmured:
"Oh, if such misfortune should hap
pen to me, what should I.dos Mine is
beautiful boy, unless l am blinded by.
mothers love, and l must guard him wiz
Jealous care. George! George"
The little one had been seatcc n Tue
front door, and only a moment DeioIe s ,ie
had heard his innocent laugh Du. nc oiu
not reply to the call Of by molneI, anu,
springing up she sought am wner G., ne nau
been sitting. He was Sot there' one was
not specially alarmeS Tor she supposed
that he had only wsndered short distance
from the door. aDssough ne was not in
SIGHT and walbang to the next corner, she
Se1t snre she should find him. Still, he
va, was mo nowbese to be seen, and the mothers
heart hea1m to beat wildly, the blood to
courssSkc lightning through her veins,
and IN for moment she felt faintness
cr~4Hng over her.
| II was moment Of trial-the moment
ckhen 1t was necessary for the mother once
more to lay aside her weakness and put on
her strength. But that mothers strength
had been sorely tested. Eighteen months
before, when she placed her husband in
his grave, she had struggled for the mas
terry Of herself, and she had gained 1t but
in doing Sd, the vein in which the life
blood flow hads been ruptured, and very
little would open the only partially healed
wound, and death would follow bleeding.
She was woman, only sustained in an
erect position as she travelled on through
LIES Journey; but take that prop away,
and her fall was certain.
Up and down the streets she ran, calling
upon the name of her child. Her manner
was wild in the extreme, and the deadly
pallor Of her face gave her an unearthly
appearance, and those who saw her had
no doubt but they were gazing upon lu-
natic But still, no little George could
she find oh, was he lost to her forever?
Her manner attracted the attention OF
an officer, and, Of course, the first thing he
thought Of was arrest, believing, as did all
others, that the poor woman was thorough
ly insane, and might do harm to herself,
and perhaps to others. But in a few
broken words she explained the cause Of
her unusual excitement.
To give the mother consolation was i'm.
possible; and yet the assurance that the
authorities would institute an instant and
thorough search brought some relief; but
it did not lessen the efforts of the mother.
The East River was but q short distance
from her home, and to the waters side she
went. She gaZed into the dark tide,
wondering If it had swallowed up her boy.
If she had only known such to be the case,
how soon would she have joined him In
his watery grave, in spite Of the edict
heaven has issued against self-destructiOn.
But hope had not entirely fOrsaken her,
ard still she continued her search. The
moon came up, and the stars shone out
brightly. She wondered if they could not
see her boy, and why they did not speak
and point out to her the hiding place OF
him who was 30 dear to her. In Olden
times an Eastern star had arisen, and set
tied over the spot where lay the infant
Saviour, guiding the Wise Men to his
presence; why could not this be the same
In her case? But no. The moon rolled
silently on, mounting higher and higher
into the deep blue Of night, and the stars
appeared to dance in joyous sportiveness,
regardless of q mothers anguish. Oh,
how she longed for the eyes OF divinity,
that she might sweep the world alta single
glance, and find her treasure.
But the night wore on, and from very
exhaustion she was compelled to seek her
desolate home. But she could not rest.
Up and down her humble apartment she
walked, ever and anon calling upon her
bow but no response came, save from the
night wind, which seemed to moan in
sympathy for the mother. Now she would
snatch up toy or little dress, and press
luK ~ W ucI tuloOUAh6 oAO"oo INV ~ 'SASu
lips, would burst into tears; and they
were blessed drops, for they relieved the
heart, and kept il from breaking yet
Morning came, and an officer stood at
her door. She hastened to admit him,
and upon his face she sought to find the
word hope written. But it was not there.
Indeed, he appeared to be an ill-omened
messenger, who brought bad news, but
struggled between the breaking of the
tidings and the secret which he held.
81 am calm-very calm" said the
mother, in q voice scarce audible. II am
prepared for the worst-tellm me all.
II fear there is no hope"
mo hopel No hope" and she repeated
the words slowly. eyes there is hope
in heaven. Tell me- is my child dead ~
"Do you know this dress ?" and the
officer produced tiny garment. She
clutched it, and replied:
Eyes. 1t is the one worn by George
when he disappeared"
"Then al Is over"
cover! Then tell me howl Where is
the bodyf Where did you find this dress p
ut was found down by the river"
"And the body-where Is thats"
"Only the dress was found"
"But he wore it. How came 1t stripped
from his person."