The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1877-06-28

the she could only sob the word
"children. Take Mary "-another-sob
bonnet, and, William, William, bring
them back to mel"
A single kiss was left on her white lips,
and the anxious father left her, and spring.
ing on his half-broken colt, he started.
The prairie echoed to the reverberations
of his gun, to the noisy tinkle of the
bells, to the echoes of his voice, but no
answering sound came up out of the still,
grassy depths. Again and again, he made
the circuit of the little clump of cotton
woods, and then sadly he turned away,
and squirting his horse into wild gallop,
he started for the nearest cabin. The
four miles were soon passed, and the SYM
pathizing neighbors aroused to aid his
search.
"Call the dog, Tom," said the father,
as ne lifted his wife on to the horse, and
then sprung into the saddle.
II have father, but can't find him.
Was he here atsupper, mother2'
II didn't mind, child. / set down his
pan of bones, but 1 had heap of chores
to do, and didn't mind whether he
came up or not. Run to the shed and see,
child"
"The bones amt been touched-where
can he be?'
"Well, we mustn't stop for him. But,
Tom, when he does come, you show him
the bonnet. It'll start him.: And giving
the word to his horse he followed the heart
broken father.
"Lcavc me here" said good Mrs. Bon
nett, as they halted at the creek. II can
find my way to the cabin if it is dark,
and III take good care of her, too. III
get her to take some of that cordial stuff
my doctor in Indiana used to make up
for folks what was nervous, and if can
once get her to sleep, I'll keep her so.
And with fleet steps she fastened to the
lonely home.
But it was only after much coaxing that
the mother was prevailed upon to swallow
the cordial and lie down, and then it was
more to crafty her neighbor than from
any faith in the virtues Of the medicine
But the result proved that it had not been
cxtolled too highly, for her limbs soon
ceased their convulsivc twitchings and her
lips their low, sad moaning, ere and long
the clock struck twelve, she lay in pro-
found, sweet sleep.
"Luckily I thought to bring it along,''
said Mrs. Bonnet, lifting her head as
soon as the measured breathing of the
mother assured her she had forgotten her
troubles. "Poor thing" And she bent
compassionatcly over her, and smoothed
back her idisordcred hair, TINY heart
aches for you"
''I'll fix the fire all ready to light, and
spread the table, SO that I can get supper
ready in a few minutes when they come,
for they will be dreadfully tired, and as
to poor Grey, l do not believe he's eat a
mouthful since this morning.
1t is pretty night, SO still and cool
like, but wish it was brighter. If it
was only the full of the moon and the
sky clear, they might happen to come on
them; for that is their only chance.
They will never awaken them tonight
with all their bells and horns and shouts
Children sleep so sound when they are
tired. Dear me-but it is dreadful to
think of. If stray wolf should happen
to catch them, or a rattlesnakc or a blue
racer bite them, or if they should have to
stave. Bless me, but it would near kill
her. And they were such pretty chill
drcn-so loving always-but what is
that?'
She listened eagerly. Then cxclaim-
ing ioyfully:
"They're coming-I will hurry and get
them something to eat" she ran in and
lighted fire, and ere the horses had
fairly reached the door, had a smoking
hot supper ready.
With outstretched hands she waited at
the door. Alasl there were no little
children to be received!
"We was getting worn out" said Nick
to his wife, as he came in, land told
him we'd better come home and get a
bite and rest till daybreak, for he'd been
on the 60 since morning, and without
eating, and may be Tom would come with
the hound by that time, and we'd stand a
better chance to find them. Pour him
out some coffee, wife. Sit down. Grey,
and cat bit Of something. Don't shake
your head. know how it will choke,
but think Of her." And he pointed to
the bed.
1t seemed to the impatient watchers
that day never would dawn, and with the
first streak of light they mounted their
horses. They had just started, and Mrs.
Bennett was putting up the bars for them
when her husband put his hand to his
ears with the "hark!'
By Jehosaphat! but that is Bun! Yes"
as he raised himself up in the saddle, lit
Is him and no mistake, and now we stand
chance to find them. Let US wait min
ute. Bless my old soul-but what's he
got in his mouth? A-a-yes, as sure
as am alive it is hat-a little straw
hatw
"Willie's hiatt" And the father leaped
to the ground, tears streaming down his
face. "Where's the boy, Bruno"
He asked the question as passionatelv
as though addressing a human being.
The creature seemed to read his feelings,
for giving him wistful look and wag-,
ging his tail, he darted back.
"Follow him.. Bill-he knows" cried
Nick. And they started on a gallon.
Mile after mile the dog led them on paus-
ing not till he came to the divide
Then he struck off, made the circuit of a
slough, and halted beside gopher mound
on which grew luxuriant clump ofhazels
Half blind, dizzy in brain, and with a
heart near bursting, the father sprang from
his saddle. One look-only one he gave,
and then fell fainting to the ground, the
joy-the sudden, delirious Joy, being al.
most as hard for his stricken soul to bear
as would have been a mighty sorrow
There they lay, their little white arms
twined about each other, their dimpled
cheeks pressed close together, sound
asleep-the dear little babes of the Drai-
rio!
Ho1U Ghildno,a -.