The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-01-11

inS Ine y paper was eagerly look
ed over; but no advertisement apnear
ed for the lost one, and gradually tbe7
actually began to feel that the littl,
walf might be theirs. Mrs. Buforf
went on a delightful shopping expedi
tlon, selecting the softest and mos
delicate fabrics to suit the exquisite
daintiness of the small lady; and Mr.
Buford could not rest till he haC
searched the city for the most elegant
high chair and crib to be found. besides
lavlshlng money on confectionery and
toys to an extent that made even the
clerks stare.
But what of the mother? There she
was in her own home, not half a mile
from Mrs. Buford's, busilv engaged in
getting up Christmas-tree to dazzle
the eyes of the lost baby.
Fred" she had said, on the night
of Baby's loss, when he came home
from his business, "did you see
FatherP"
"No," he answered. "Iwas detaip-
ed and came out in later train than
usual, and have not seen him to-dav.n
"Then he must have received nv let
ter. lie was to have met you at the
train tonight with Maudie. But I
wrote to them to keep her till Christ
mas Eve, so that I could finish nv
tree"
81 don't know how | can stand il
another week without the little witch,n
cried the father.
81 know | couldn't" said the moth
er. "Only I'm SO nusy with the tree
and she will be 50 pleased; but feel
as if half the house was gone
"l'll stop off the train at Green
Street," said the father, "and see her
in the morning" And these doting
young parents talked half the evening
about the baby, at that moment riding
around the room On Mr.. Buford's shout
der.
"Where's Baby?n he called, as he
entered the side hall. The dining-room
door stood open and the family we're at
breakfast.
"Good-morning, Fred," said his
mother. "Baby's gone, I'm to sorry
say. How's Alice!''
"Gone!" said Fred, disappointedly.
"What, so early as this ?''
"Why, she went home with you last
night; didn't she?" said his father.
hastily.
s'With me? No. I haven't seen
her!" said Fred, excitedly. And then,
seeing the look of dismay in his fathers
face: "You don't mean that you sent
her home to US last night, aloneP"
"No. gave her to a gentleman on
the train-it didn't stop, you know-to
hand to you. saw you in the first
car, reading paper; but you did not
see me-"
"In what train?" gasped Fred.
"The 6:20. The usual train.''
81 did not go home till the GAO
train. You saw some one else. NV
baby is lost!" And he sank into chair
with groan.
"Oh! she'll be found She must"
his mother. ssDon't take on
so, Fred. OF course, the gentleman
not finding you-took her home"
"And that was through train, said
Fred. "And who can guess to which
OF the hundred stations she has been
carriedp 1t will kill Ally"
"Ally must not know said his
father, with white, ghastly face. "We
will move Heaven and earth to find her.
Of course, We shall succeed. Never
fear.''
And with these hopeful words, though
somewhat belied by his white face, the
Did gentleman BUSTED around to get his
0vercoat.
"Oh! motherl" cried Fred despair
nglg, "if don't find my baby, think |
can never forgive father. How could
ne give her to stranger?"
"My son." said his mother, earnest |,
y, "don't let such a thought possess
your mind. Your father loves that child |
Is we'll as you do. He was sure he saw
you; and it was your usual train, you
know. He could not get on, for it did |
lot stop; and he knew Alice would be
much disappointed if she did not come"
"She had written to have you keep |
ler till Christmas Eve," groaned the |
'ather. "She is preparing a tree for
Ter. Oh! how will she bear the dread
'ul news?n
"That is Fortunate" said his moth
er, hopefully. 'sNo doubt we shall |
ind her; but the few hours of anxiety
you'd be dreadful to Alice. Be sure
7ou don't tell her, if you should not find
ler before night
Well, the two distracted gentlemen
vent down town. They visited railroad
offices, police stations. newspaper Of
ices. They questioned every body; in
serted advertisements in every city pa
Der, except the one which went to
tred's house every morning. They
elegraphed the railroad stations and
he conductor of that train. He re-
nembered the incident, but in his hur-