Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-03

isWhy, Belle" he cried catching my
arm aud looking down in cOnsterna-
ton ut my dragged garments and
muddy feet. "where are you gong ?
What is the matter ~
go, Philip, the baby, little Pearl,
what have YOU done with her?"
Ozone with little Pearl? Are you
mad. Belle? Tell me what you
mean?
"She's gone-llttle Pearls gone. L
came down stairs and found her
cradle empty. and 1 was sure you
had her."
He stood silent a moment, his face
growing white and as stearn as
death !; then he said solemnly:
"No, Belle, l haven't seen the child.
I haven't been home since morning."
He started Oh before me, with
long, rapid strides, into the cottage,
and up to the little cradle standing
in the corner, as if to satisfy his own
eyes. Then ne turned back to the
yard. and began 10 examine the
tracks in the mud around the door
way. The farm hands were examin-
ing them also.
"Moccasiu tracks, boss" said Il
old man, significantly. pointing to an
lndenture in the yielding soil. "ln-
juns. 1 guess"
My husbands face grew a shade
winter.
eyes," he responded, "that's it ;
come, my lads, We haven't a moment
to LOSE"
He started off, followed by the
laborers, bu. a few rods from the
house he turned back.
"Pcor Belle" he said, putting his
arms around me, s'this is terrible for
you, but you must be strong, aud
hope for the best. The Indians have
passed here, and it was they, no
doubt, who stole the child We must
try to- intercept them before they
cross the river; we may not be back
tonight {; you had better go over to
MI. Delevan's and stay till we re-
turn"
But l did not. l went into the
lonely cottage. and fell OH my knees
beside the empty crib. God had
given me my wish l had no baby.
Alb, me, the self-torture, the bitter
ness of those long. long hours eau
never be described.
Morning dawned at last, luriG and
misty, q red sui struggling up
through ragged pillows Of gray fog
About 10 O'Clock my husband aud his
party returned weary, haggard and
hopeless. They had followed the H.
dams all night, but when at last they
came up with them. far beyond the
river, they could gain lie tidimgs OF
the child. And all our after efforts
were equally unsuccessful. We Of
fered rewards and instituted every
means of inquiry, but in vain, little
Pearl was gone! 1 had no baby!
There was ample time tor leisure
then , no peevish cries, no little baby
wants to occupy mel But l, wht
had hated labor, fled to it now as my
sole refuge and comfort. The only
ease l found was in constant action
My husband worked too, but his llt'
seemed to have lost its impellin,
force, its happiest inspiration.
Years went by, and, not conten
with my simple household duties,
took charge Of q ne%ighboring schoo
later, l aided my husband in hi
office. Ny mind expanded, my idea
enlarged. l was no longer LII indo
lent, helpless repiner, but a strong
self-reliant. laboring woman, a tru
help-mate for my husband. Success
crowned our united efforts, weaIt
aud renown flowed in upon US, m.
husband waselected judge and spoke
Of for congress-but we were child
less, for no more babies came.
Ten years after our removal to tn
west we received Intelligence Of ID
uncle's death, and, being his onl
heirs, We went down at once to al
tend to the settlement of his estate
Returning homeward, we made
tour. of Niagara and the princlpa
northern cities.
One September night found us i
New York, and at the opera. Tn
house was unusually gay, the must
divine, but through all the giamou
and perfume of gorgeous toilets
amid the wailing of the music, an
the triumphant strain of the singers
l sat unconscious, almost indifferent
the old yearning in my heart rouse,
up to strange and sudden intensity
Only one thought passed me, all
that was my lost baby, little Pearl.
seemed to be living over that terribl
morning and long long night again
and my soul cried out for my chill,
with u longing that would not b
silenced. Yet in the gay house an,
exquisite music there was nothin;
suggestive of her short, sweet lltti
life; why, then, did she seem s.
near ME what was it that thrilled an
shook me SO?
The opera over we started for GU
hotel. At one of the crossings tn
carriage made a sudden halt.
Nothing but a strap broke loose
all right in a momem:, sir" said tn
driver, in answer to my husband
inquiry.
l leaned out while he was arrans
ing II, looking over the client cit,
and up into the solemn summe
night. The sky was blue and clout
less, the stars mellow and misty, an
u full moon hung like a golden jewe
III the far west. Ny eyes filed wit
tears, and al inexpressible y~earniu
filled my soul.
:. "Where is my baby-where is ii
tie Pearl to-nigh, f"I murmured.
"Please. madam, just one penny j!
The slender childish voice, mello1
and sweet as the note Of a blackbirt
startled me out of my reverie, ant
looking down, l say a tiny tigur
/ and an appealing baby-face below i
the misty moonlight.
!, PLEASE, madam, l never begge
before. but grandmarm Is 30 sick, all
/ she's eat nothing since yesterday.
just then the driver sprang to h
, box, and tie carriage whirled o
again, leaving the little thing far b
hind, but l caught at my husband
arm in breathless eagcrness.
T. "Philip,"I ~entreated, "stop the ca
: riage, ! must see hat child"
He glanced back hesitatingly, an
4 there the little thing stood in tt
moonlight, just as we had left her.
t 81 must. Philip," repeated ;"dou
deny me-"
Aud my husband babe the drive
Y turn back, which he did with a mu
I tered imprecatiOn.
"Now. my little girl" l said, lea
i ing out aud extending my arr
"come here, and tell me how l C;
help you"
"Grandmarm is SICK" she reptile
coming close up to the wheels al
raising her soft blue eyes to my fac
f "and SO hungry, and l never begg'
e before, madam !"
e "Aud where does your grandn
Y live, dear 2"
Right down the street, in til
e row of tenements."