The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1875-12-09

Papa and the men went In different dlrec-
tons, extending the search. It was ten
o'clock. The women were alone. Grand
mas dear, wrinkled hands were 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 2 Had some treacherous
hole swallowed him up? Had some
wretch taken him away forever from our
sight? Was our dear baby. our chief
blessing, ours no more? 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 were pacing
up and down, now out of doors. now Ill
the house, listening. dreading, fearing.
Suddenly we heard cry. Our hearts
seemed to stop beating as we listened:
Again! 1t vast was the baby's cry
we few to the door, and, running from
side to side, heard little sleepy Sob
bling voice, II want to get down. want
to get down. 1t 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 mea had been painting the house.
They had stood upon a 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 windows, and
there on that narrow ledge sat our baby,
our darling. Oh what an agony or des-
pair was ours. We never thought how
ne came there. We knew that only He
who cares for little birds had saved him,
could save him. | 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, Il wants to get down., Clear
and sweet rang mammals voice; no
trembling now. Eyes, darling. sit very
still. Mamma is coming for you 80,
God what shall we dog" 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 SO braveiy
Mamma is coming for her baby; keep
very still; do not move he is mamma, S
little man." Then she called, Mother
, mother, come and talk to him while We
bring the ladder for the rest OF u:
seemed paralyzed. 1t was all we coule
lift-mamma, Bridget, and l. Oh, witt
; what beating hearts we dragged /
on! Would he sit there until we couic
4 put it up and some one 60 to hlm
r There stood grandmother week, ieebl
4 voice sounding strong and cheerful-en
: couraging him, calling him every pc
1 name: Keep very still, Neddy; MANN
s is coming. Do not try to see gamma
y don't-move!' We somehow got tn
|. ladder there, and somehow with wonder
e full strength, we lifted it up-carefu!ly
l. lest it should jar the platform-and eve
V before it was fairly placed frail, timl
!. mamma was halfway up. Who els
t should 90 TO her lamb? Who but tn
t mother could save him? Bridget and
IS held the ladder with all of our strength
e but it waved from side to side as thong
a it would fall, and mamma going up an
II up. | heard voices at the gate-paI
ID and the men coming. l ran to then
"Oh, hush, hush no noise, no talking
q and pointed to the appalling scene
70 our treasure hanging between heaven ar
!. earth, and mamma swaying back ar
II forth on the shaking ladder; grandma
10 dear voice still shouting. Eyes, dear,
brave little man; mamma Is coming
n sit STILL In an instant strong ham
~ we're holding the ladder, but they spol
a no word. Mamma is almost up. O.
hs she reach him. Can she hold hir
Slowly she stretches out her hand-t
"A platform swings-the ladder totters, it
N so badly placed. No groans or praye
;: now. We do not seem to breathe. s
al can Just reach the little dress-she dra'
~ him towards her-she has him in L
~ arms. Oh, thank God! She is so fr
~ and unused to climbing, and baby is
.s very heavy, we tremble as we watch b
an slow descent. No one can 60 to help h
70 the ladder is so insecure. The men bra
NO themselves, holding it with all tn
N. strength. Slowly, YEARLY, another a
= another step-one more; now pa
ma has gone up far enough to reach her.
20 takes her dear lamb. gives him to I
, > arms, then helps mamma. but as $
,at reaches the foot she sinks fainting to
i'm ground. But before that, shouts So
a. shouts, such cries of JOY some on tn
no knees, some wildly dancing. and the
n. clock striks-twelve. 1t is the Than
he giving morning.
he The baby looked rather astonished
cot the commotion as he is passed from I
ely to another and is kissed and cried Of
ed. and finally pipes up. Il wants my supp
her | do Sure enough! who had e
Ter. thought of supper! The neighbors v
my us JOY aud go home. and soon Bird
the has a cheerful fire and fresh tea
ere table had been standing all the time
and we 90 into our supper. OF. rather, bre
one fast, full of gratitude to God. Only
FAR baby seemed ignorant that anything +
i'm ticular had happened. He little II
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