Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-01-27

Rob. finding playmate Of his own size,
accepted the situation like philosopher.
Here we will leave them and return to
the brick block near the depot.
Children, where are your" called Mrs.
Dunbar as she entered the yard. . Come,
now, don't be hiding, for mother is tired,
and wants to give you your suppers and
get you to bed. Rob! say, Robi Dear
me.'what mess of rubbish those children
have left on the stairs!"
II think the children must be in the
house." said the grocer's clerk, coming to
| the basement door: "for / haven't seen
them in the yard for an hour or more"
Mrs. Dunbar assembled the long stairs
with an alacrity that was quite new 10 her
after y hard days work, and, throwing
open the door, called Robin In tone
that startled her neighbor on the floor be-
low, who came out upon the landing to
see what was the matter.
"Where are my children =, asked Mrs.
Dunbar, in voice sharpened by fear.
can't find them anywhere"
s'Oh, they're not far off, YOU may be
sure" Mrs. Wells replied; /" saw them
only little while ago making mud pies,
as happy as two larks, and such looking
woman laughed heartily at the remem-
brance.
How long ago was its' asked Mrs.
Dunbar, anxiously.
"Oh, not long; the matter of an hour,
perhaps. Let's see, what time is'ts" and
the woman approached the clock with her
hand shading her eyes. six O'Clock :
MOI that can't be possible! / hain't slept
hara In ,x.l.a al = thre 81
now, it that don't beat alp
Haven't you seen my children since
three o'clock " asked Mrs. Dunbar, with
increasing alarm.
mo, not since about half-past two,"
was the reply; but, law, Mis- Dunbar,
don't you be scairt. Them children amt
fur off, you may be sure"
But Maggie Dunbar waited to hear no
more, but flew down the stairs and out
into the street, halt crazed with fear, call
ing at every house, store or shop; asking
Of every one she met If anything had been
seen of her children. But all in vain, and
the poor mother became half frantic.
As soon as it became known that Mag
gle Dunbar's children were missing every
body's sympathy was at once excited, and
such running here and there, such a
searching of all likely and unlikely
places, such rummaging among barrels
and boxes. and peeping into wells and
uncovered cisterns! But all to no pur-
pose. The shades of night were fast fall
ing, and yet no trace Of the children had
appeared.
The town crier had been out ringing
his bell and crying at the top of his lungs,
" Children lostp' but all in vain.
Every house, indeed every nook and
corner of the village, had been searched !;
but no children. The poor mother was
frantic, as well she might be; and scores
of sympathizing friends were weeping
and bemoaning the sad fate of the chill
dren.
A knot of men had gathered in front of
the brick block and were discussing the
advisability of attempting 10 drag the
river, early on the morrow, when man
came dashing around the corner into their
very midst waving his hat and shouting
"Children safe; children sate" Then
stepping close 10 the lamp post he pro-
duced and read the following telegram:
To whoever II may concern--Rob aud
Daisy are safe aud sound In New York city.
Look out for them By the morning train.
CONDUCTOR B..
1t were vain to attempt to describe the
Joy that followed. Maggie Dunbar faint
ed. then came to, and tainted again, and
lots of other mothers tainted for sym
patty.
From the crowd that gathered around
the depot next morning, when II was time
for the ten o'clock train TO arrive, a
stranger might have thought no less per.
sonage than the Grand Duke or the
" King of the Sandwich Islands" was ex-
pected, and been good deal surprised at
the glad shout Of welcome which was
raised as Rob and Daisy were lifted from
the cars and placed in the eager arms out
stretched to receive them.
Years have passed since then, and Rob
and Daisy have both grown TO maturity;
and the latter, now plump. rosy matron,
has lost all recollection of her childish adj
venture, but Uncle Rob with Daisy's little
ones upon his knee tells the story, again
and again, of his first ride In the cars
Christian Union.
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