The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1875-12-02

called him = nuisance! but mamma only
moaned. "Oh! my baby, my baby p
Papa and the men went in different direc.
tons, extending the search. It was ten
o'clock. The women were alone. Grand.
mas dear, wrinkled hands we're clasped in
prayer. Mamma paced the house with
Wild eyes and white lips. Bridget and l
were sobbing and praying by turns. Oh!
was that little body whirling in the deep
dark waters p Had some trcacherous
hole swallowed him up! Had some
wretch taken him away forever from our
sight Was our dear baby. our chief
blessing, ours no moree Father, in
Heaven! how much one can love how
much one can suffer for little child! The
terrible time moved ONT Was past elev.
en-. With agonizing steps We we're pacing
up and down, now out OF doors, now in
the house, listening. dreading, fearing.
Suddenly we heard cry. Our hearts
seemed to stop beating IS we listened.
Again! 1t vast was the baby's cry
w few to the door, and, running from
side to side, heard little sleepy sob.
bling voice, 81 want to get down. want
to get down." It seemed coming from
the sky. We looked to the trees. to the
roof, amazed and wondering. He was
alive, thank God, but where was he
There was bright moonlight, and on COM
ing to the far end of the house the appal-
ing sight met US. For two or three
days men had been painting the house.
They had stood upon narrow stag
ing, only two or three boards bound TO-.
gether: and upheld by ropes. As the
next day was holiday, they lad left
work early, and had taken down the long
ladder, leaving the little platform hang.
ing far above the upper windo US, and
there on that narrow ledge sat our baby,
our darling. Oh what an agony or des-
pair was ours. We never thought how
he came there. We knew that only Ho
who cares for little birds had saved him,
could save him. I uttered cry and
came near falling. Only the dear mother.
love was strong to comprehend, to think,
to act. "Mamma. mamma" walled the
little dear, II wants to get down. Clear
and sweet rang mammals voice; no
trembling now. "Ycs, darling. sit very
still. Mamma is coming Tor you 20,
God! what shall we do!' What can pre-.
vent him from being dashed to our feet.
Now he would move about, and now peer
over. We could see the little sweet,
white face, all sleepy and composed and
crying. What groans and prayers we Ut
tered! Still mamma went on 50 bravely:
Mamma is coming for her baby; keep
very still; do not move; he is mammals
little man." Then she called, ''Mother,
mother, come and talk to him while we
bring the LADDER for the rest of US
seemed paralyzed. 1t was all We could
lift-mamma, Bridget, and I. Or, with
what beating hearts We dragged it
on! Would he sit there until we could
put it up and some one 60 to him !!
There stood grandmother week, feeble
voice sounding strong and cheerful-cn-
couraging him, calling him every pet
name: Keep very still, Neddy mamma
is coming. Do not try to sec gamma -
don't novel; We somehow got the
ladder there, and somehow with wonder
full strength, we lifted it up-carefully,
lest it should jar the platform-ande en-
before it was fairly placed frail. timid
mamma was halfway up. Who else
should 60 to her lamb! Who but the
mother could save him? Bridget and
held the ladder with all of our strength,
but it waved from side to side as though
it would fall, and mamma going up and
up. heard voices At the gate-papa
and the men coming. I ran to them
"Oh, hush, hush no noise, no talking T.
and I pointed to the appalling scene
our treasure hanging between heaven and
earth, and mamma swaying back and
forth on the shaking ladder grandma
dear voice still shouting. Eyes, dear. be
. brave little man mamma il coming
sit STILL In an instant strong hands
were holding the ladder, but they spoke
no word. Mamma is almost up. Can
she reach him? Can she hold him!
Slowly she stretches out her hand-the
platform swings-thc ladder totters, it is
so badly placed. No groans or prayers
now. We do not seem to breathe. She
can just reach the little dKess-she draws
him towards hers she has him in Ler
arms. Oh, thank God! She is SO frail
and unused to climbing, and baby is 50
very heavy, We tremble ~ we watch her
slow descent. No one can 60 to help her,
the ladder is so insecure. The men brace
themselves, holding it with all their
strength. Slowly, YEARLY, another and
another step-one more; now papa
has gone up far enough to reach her. He
takes her dear lamb, gives him to my
arms, then helps msmma, but IS she
reaches the foot she sinks fainting to the
ground. But before that, shouts such
shouts, such cries Of joy some on their
knees. some wildly dancing, and the biz
clock striks-twelve. 1t is the Thanks.
giving morning.
The baby looked rather astonished at
the conmotion Is he is passed from o..e
to another and Is kissed and cried over,
and finally pipes up, "!wants my supper
do" Sure enough! who had ever
thought of supper The ncighbors wish
us JOY aud 60 home, and soon Bridge,
has cheerful fire and fresh tea the
table had been standing all the time-and
we 60 into our supper, or, rather, break.
fast, full Of gratitude to God. Only the
baby seemed ignorant that anything par.
ticu1sr had happened. He little knew
our hours Of anguish. But We could no,
do enough for him. Bread and milk VA.
not sufficient; nurse insisted he must
have cream, aud I noticed cooks bes'
marmalads 20 spread on his bread
= Was there ever such . Thanksgiving
, g. s L.. 81 " Il sesss* 3 gs*:s@ ~ j: