The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-02-26


wandered, hungry, cold, frightened,
and not little ashamed of her strange
dress, into the street.
She had not walked very far WI ZEN
she reached a crowded thoroughfare,
and, determined to ask the first NICE
looking lady she met for advice, she
moved slowly along. Suddenly hand
was laid roughly on her shoulder, and,
looking up, behind her she saw her
conductress of yesterday. Fear lent her
strength, and tearing herself away, she
rushed across the street, but not in
time to escape being thrown down on
the stones by pair of horses, whose
driver had not noticed the little girl,
in his hurry to get his carriage ahead
of another drivers.
Poor Roxy was taken up for dead,
but some signs of life being discovered,
she was taken to the hospital, whore
she lay unconscious of everything, save
the keenest agony, for many a weary
week.
At Just about the time when Roxy
was run over in the street, Roxy moth
er began to be uneasy about her, for
nelghbor Lloyd had stopped, in pass
ing, to inquire how all felt after the
wedding, and on being inquired of con-
cerning Roxy, said he had left her the
day before in the depot-Roxy's parents
having all the while supposed she had
gone home with him.
Still there was hope that she had gone
home with friend Jones, or Thomas, or
some other neighbor. But when noon
came, all had been questioned, and
none had seen Roxy after parting with
Caleb and Debby.
"Perhaps, mother, Rokthy hath gone
to the thity with Debby," suggested
Tommy, after every possible supposi-
tion of her whereabouts had been
broached. "She was taking on awful
hard in the morning, becauthe of Deb
by'th going away"
Impossible p replied his mother.
"Debby would not have allowed it.
However, the conductor was sought
out, and did remember something of
having taken fare from aplainly dressed
little girl, who went up alone. But she
was not with Caleb and Debby, for he
himself had seen them drive off together
from the depot, and he was positive
there was no child of any description
with them.
This slight clew was seized at once,
policemen set upon the track, and every
measure taken which could possibly
bring success; but in vain.
Debby's wedding trip was cut short
by receiving telegram to return i'm
mediately. The whole household, and
indeed the whole valley, was involved
in the deepest sorrow, and the week be-
gun in so much merriment, was ended
in grief and CONSERVATION.
Several weeks passed, and scarcely a
hope of recovering the little wanderer
was left. Debby had tearfully taken
nnssession of her pretty new hnnse in
the city, feeling as if all enjoyment in
her so lately anticipated pleasures was
gone forever.
She was sitting in her cozy parlor one
warm, bright morning in April, or
fourth month";" as she called it, sadly
musing over her little sisters disap-
pearance, when loud ring startled her
from her reverie, and presently her
maid ushered in a benevolent old
Friend, dressed, as Debby afterward
said, "quite plainly enough to sit in
the preachers gallery"
"Thee's Deborah Dawson, is thee
not ?" asked the old lady, benignly.
eyes," replied Deborah, simply.
"And I am Charity Pennock," re-
turned the Friend. $50 we know each
other, only rather have the advantage
of thee. make certain of my welcome
for thee sees have good news for thee,
my child"
"Roxy ?" gasped Debby, seizing the
old lady's hand and drawing her to a
seat beside her on the sofa.
eyes, Roxy, safe if not quite we'll,
thanks to our merciful Father"
"Where ?" asked Debby, almost
choking.
In the hospital where I have been in
the habit of visiting for years. She has
been entirely unconscious until to-day,
when she addressed me in the plain
language, and begged to be taken to
her sister. On asking thy name, i'm
mediately knew she must be the child
whose mysterious disappearance have
heard of so, looking up thy husbands s
place of business, got him to send a
carriage for the little girl, and-but
here he is now."
Need we tell how joyous was that
meeting, how tenderly Debby nursed
her sister into recovery, ,--how the whole
Pancoast family came down to see her,
and how she cried and sobbed and
promised never to be naughty again
Roxy is now large girl, and has
been many times since to the city 4; but
she never forgets that first memorable
visit on the day of her sister Debby's
wedding.