The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-06-20

young lady had left about, and also on !
several articles pertaining to her little |
mamma; but neither of the individuals
mentioned was there to claim her property
and Mrs. Leighton, coming to the door,
called:
"Polly! Polly! Where is the child2
Kate, have you seen Polly2"
mo, Helen: not since dinner. l thought
she was with you"
The mothers face began to wear a
look Of alarm, for she knew, the loneli-
ness of the long country roads. The
house and grounds were searched; but
gave no sign Of the sunny-faced child.
The sun sank lower in the west, and the
faces of the family grew more and more
anxious.
I'VE must start out and look for her"
said grandpa. "she cannot have strsyed
very far
So the old horse was harnessed again,
and grandpa, with mamma, atalted off on
the search. Two miles in one direction
and hopelessly! Then mamma, with a
face growing rapidly paltr, said: "She
cannot have gone further in this direction,
ather. Let us turn back and take the
north road"
By this time the sun was just saying his
final goodnight to this part of the earth
and grandpa drove fast and said little. A
whole mile up the north road and no
sign of the child! Suddenly mamma,
whose wistful eyes were eagerly scanning
both sides of the road, cried out: ''StOp!
fatherl I see something clinging to the
fence! Let me get out" Trembling with
eagerness. she fastened toward some
thing caught on the rough fence. 1t was
bit Of pink calico, and, turning bright.
ly around, she exclaimed: It's piece
Of the darling's apron, father. I know it
She must be near-perhaps IN some Of
these fields"
'True," said grandpa. "You go one
way. and I'll 60 the other"
So they separated, and mamma walk
ed quickly away through the deepening
shadows over hill, down again into I
! valley, falling over stones and into bri
ers, but at last coming suddenly upon I
picture fairer than anything an arts
could paint.
A child asleep in the little hollow
! One hand holding bunch Of w:there<
= dandelions and dropping buttercups, AM
. the other grasping a painfully wide
:, awake dolly. The straw hat had fallel
y off, the curls were pushed away from
:: the sweet face, and undried teal still Ia
- on the flushed cheek.
"My precious baby!" criea mamma
a. she clasped her treasure and spoiie'
the picture. "Where has my Poll
been?'
!, The child's blue eyes opened wide, an
little quivering voice replied:
u 80 mamma, see place where ca
- step right into heaven, an me an Z'rush
y was going to take the flowers to papa
j., but I'm 50 velly tired, an heaven keep
. a-goin' way off, so can't reach the stairs
Won't you 60, too, mamma?'
Nam ma was laughing and crying a
q at once, as she replied:
o "Polly and Mamma will 90 to heave
+ sometime, I hope. Only Polly mus
wait, and not leave mamma behint
z, Will she?"
It The blue eyes where heavy with slee1
+ and closed again, as she answered
6, Eyes, mamma, I'll wait, if you'll-pron
s. Use to-help me- up-the stairs-if I'll
angel-fordets to come"
It So grandpa and mamma carried hon
u the dear little sleeping burden. An
II mamma, putting her into grandma
E arms, said, smiling:
y "Mother, she had started for HEAVIER
70 but the dear Lord was kind to me an
9, would not let her n!"-The Iudependen