The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-09-03
Selfrt Stury.
The Lost One Restored.
By PAUL PLUME.

..-'
The wind blew furiously and the rain
fell in torrents, when a traveller one July
night was traversing thickly wooded
portion of the country in Missouri He
had ridden all day when night overlook
him and found him lost in what appear
ed an impene.rable forest The vines
and underbrush grew so thickly that he
was compelled to halt, and dismounting
from his beast sheltered himself as best
he could from the storm.
His servant, yo1ng man some eight
cen years old, accompanied him and was
very much terrified at the situation in
which he found himself, never having
been outside the limits of city until
Mr.. Randolph had employed him to ac-
company him on his journey. Journeys
in those days we're generally made on
horseback or stage, for railroads had not
then intersected all parts of our great
country as at the present day.
"John" said Mr.. Randolph, "we shall
have to remain here until daylight there
is no possibility Of finding our way in
this darkness"
"It we are on the right road" replied
John, Eve must surely be near. the cabin
we were told about at the blacksmith's
shop" sae @
81 fear" returned Mr. Randolph, 'that
we have lost the road entirely In fact,
II am very positive of it. We can do
nothing, / think, but wait until it shall
become light enough for US to again re-
sumo our journey" 49, sa
While Mr.. Randolph was speaking.
the Wind lulled for few moments, and
there came cry that caused John Glo-
yer to start with terror. Mr. Randolph,
who was crouched beneath 9 tree started
to his feet and laid his hand on his pis-
toll, Again the cry broke forth, and Mr..
Randolph commanded John to search in
the saddle bags for box Of matches.
"Its some wild animal, / suppose"
said Glover, his teeth chattering with
fright.
"No," replied Mr.. Randolph, whose
practiced ear knew the cry of beasts too
we'll to be deceived; "'tis human voice
and the cry Is one Of distress"
In q few moments Mr. Randolph had
lighted pocket lantern and was peering
about him with John Glover cautiously
standing in the rear.
"Follow me, John," said Mr.. Ran.
dolph," and Immediately he pushed his
way among the bushes. while he listened
for repetition Of the cry.
Once again it came, and it seemed so
near to him that he started backward
and stood perplexed Just then vivid
flash of lightning lit up the forest, ard
he saw something white lying upon the
ground about dozen yards in advance.
Mr.. Randolph darted forward and seized
the object, which proved to be a female
child of some eighteen months old, who
was badly bitten in the shoulder by some
wild animal. He took the little creature
in his arms and carried her back to
where the horses were tied.
If Mr.. Randolph could have seen
John Glover's face he would have MOTTO
ed that it wore perplexed look, but it
was dark. and, he could not observe the
expression of his mans countenance.
"What are you going to do with it,
sir ?" inquired John.
"That thought was crossing my mind
at the moment,'' replied Mr.. Randolph.
II can scarcely imagine. First, l must
try and discover who has lost a child in
this part of the, country, and by that
means endeaver to find the parents Of
this poor little creature"
"And suppose you can't find them ?"
suggested John. E
sThen suppose I shall have to adopt
her as my daughter" replied Mr.. Ran
dolph.
aBut you are not married, sir" said
John Glover.
"And never am likely to be- respond
ed Mr.. Randolph, whose mind came
the memory of one beloved who had
passed away from earth and left him q
lonely man
1--WE must not anticipate" he contin'
ued. ''To morrow may bring the pa.
rents OF this poor child to light"
When daylight came Mr.. Randolph
found that be had wandered good way
off the road, and the sun was we'll up ere
he gained the cabin at the edge of the
forest 1t was inhabited by ar old hun
ter bv the name of Stubbs. He gav'
Mr. Randolph hearty welcome, ant
was not long in preparing a hot break
fast.
"Well, never heard of such thin!
BEFORE" said Stubbs, looking at the chile
with curiosity. There's no one liyinI
within twenty miles of this place, and
can't imagine how she came to be in tn
wood. Old Bill Shoots cabin is goo
twenty miles from here, and Dan Neal
ten miles from him, and that's all th
people there are this side the State lint
Neither Bill nor Dan are married land it
passing strange where that young on
came from"
81 wish you would take ride throug
the forest said Mr.. Randolph to Stubb
"Take the whole day to search for SON
person claiming this child. I will renal
here until your return" and he placed
piece Of gold in the hunters palm.
The SUMS rays were slanting 10
among the trees in the west when Bi
q Stubbs returned to his cabin.
"I'm afraid you'll have to father tn
young one" he exclaimed, addressir
Mr. Randolph. "Ive ridden nearly 10
ty miles to-day, and can hear nothing
anybody who has lost child. Perbal
she has been lost purposely." sa
Mr.. Randolph looked serious. Sut
an idea had not before occurred to hir
but from the moment be heard the wor,
tof the old hunter he mentally vowt
that be would adopt the child if her p
}. rents were not discovered.
Seventeen years later, Madge Ra
dolph, as the foundling was denomin
= ted, had become the reigning belle of t
4