The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-06-18
anger. "She may have her cry out
oh. dear, I wish I had no babY!"

But the instant the unwomanly wisl
had passed my lips, l repented of having
uttered it. No baby, no little Pearl
The bare thought filled me with shud
dering terror. Hurriedly administering
the sick mans potion, fastened down
eager to compensate for my unmotherly
words by fond caresses.
There stood the little cradle in the ac
customed corner, the dainty lace cover
lid thrown back, the pillow still damp
and warm from the impress of the curly
head. but Pearl was gone!
For an instant I stood dumb-breath
less, then, in frantic foolishness, I search
ed the rooms, the yard, calling upon the
child's name, as if she could hear an6
answer me. And then, at last, 4 happy
thought broke like sunlight upon me
Ny husband had been home, and stolen
away the child to tease me. I set about
preparing dinner, looking every moment
to see him come in. In little while the
noon bell rang, bringing the laborers
from the clearing. hurried out to meet
them.
"Where is Mr.. Weston?" I questioned
with my heart in my mouth.
Haven't seen him, ma'am, since
morning."
"Not seen him? You surely have;
he's got my baby"
But the men shook their heads, and
catching up my shawl, hurried OFT IN
the direction of his Office
Half a mile from the cottage | met him
on his way home.
"Why, Belle" he cried, catching my
arm and looking down in CONSERVATION
at my draggled garments and muddy
feet, "where are you going? What is
the matter?"
,"Oh, Philip, the baby, little Pearl,
what have you done with her?"
"Done with little Pearl? Are you
going, mad, Belle? Tell me what you
meane"
"She's gone-ittle PEARLS gone. !
came down stairs and found her cradle
empty, and I was sure you had her."
He stood silent for moment, his face
growing as white and stern as death
then he said, solemnly:
"No, Belle, haven't seen the child.
haven't been home since morning"
He started on before me, with long,
rapid strides, into the cottage, and up
to the little cradle standing in the cor
ner, as if to satisfy his own eyes. Then
he turned back to the yard, and began
to examine the tracks in the mud around
the doorway. The farm hands were ex-
amining them also. -,
tMcccasin tracks, boss" said one old
man, significantly, pointing to an inden-
ture in the yielding soil. "1njuns, l
guess"
My husbands face grew shade
whittier.
eyes" he responded, "that's it;
come, my lads, we haven't a moment to
ose."
He started off, followed by the labor
ers, but few rods from the house he
turned back.
Poor Belle" he said, putting his arms
around me, "this is terrible for you,
but you must be strong. and 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 Mr.. Delavan's and stay till we re-
turn
But I did not 90. 1 went into the
lonely cottage, and fell upon my knees
beside the empty little crib. God had
given me my wish; I had no baby. All,
me, the self-torture, the bitterness of
those long, long hours can never be de-
scribed.
Morning dawned at last. lurid and
misty, red sun struggling up through
ragged pillows of gray tog: About ten
o'clock my husband and his party re-
turned, weary, haggard and hopeless.
They had followed the Indians all night,
but when at last they came up with
them, far beyond the river, they could
gain no tidings of the child. And all
our after efforts were equally unsuccess-
full. We offered rewards, and instituted
every means Of inquiry, but in vain.
Little Pearl was gone! I had no baby!
There was ample time for leisure then ;
no pcevish cries, no little baby wants to
occupy me! But I, who had hated
labor, flew to it now as my sole refuge
and comfort. The only ease that found
was in constant action. My hus band
worked too, but his life seemed to have
lost its impelling force, its happiest in
spiration.
Years went by, and not content with
my simple household duties, took
charge of Il neighboring school-later
I aided my husband in his Office. My
mind expanded, my ideas enlarged, Twas
no longer ali indolent, helpless repiner,
but strong, self-reliant, laboring
woman, a true helpmate for my hus-
band. Success crowned our united
efforts, wealth and renown flowed in
upon us, my husband was elected judge
and spoken of for Congress-but we
were childless, for no more babies came.
Ten wears after our removal to the
West, we received intelligence of my
uncle's death, and, being his only heirs,
we went down at once to attend to the
settlement of his estate. Returning
homeward, we made a tour Of Niagara
and the principal Northern cities.
One September night found us in New
York, and at the opera. The house was
unusually gay, the music divine, but
through all the glamour and perfume OF
gorgeous toilets, amid the wailing of the
music, and the triumphant strains of the
singers, sat unconscious, almost indif.
ferent, the old yearning in my heart
reused up to strange and sudden inten.
sity. Only one thought possessed me-
and that was my lost baby, little Pearl
I seemed to be living over that terrible
morning and long, long night again. and
my soul cried out for my child with a
longing that would not be silenced. YET
in the gay house and exquisite music
there was nothing suggestive of hel
short, sweet little life; why, then, did
she seem so near to me? what was II
that thrilled and shook me SO?
The opera over, we started for oul
hotel. At one of the crossings the car.
riage made a sudden halt.
Nothing but strap broke loose; al
right in a moment, SIR" said the driver
in answer to my husbands inquiry.
leaned out while he was arranging
it, looking over the silent city, and ur
into the solemn summer night. The sky
was blue and cloudless, the stars mellow
and misty, and full moon hung like 6
golden jewel in the far west. My eye:
filled with tears, and an inexpressiblt
; yearning filled my soul.
"Where is my baby-where is little
Pearl to-night?" | murmured.
"Please, madam, just one penny"
, The slender, childish voice, mellow
and sweet as the note of a blackbird
T startled me out of my reverie, and. look
, ing down, I saw tiny figure and an ap
pealing baby-face below in the misty
moonlight.
please. madam, never begged be
fore, but grandmarm is SO sick, and she's
, eat nothing since Yesterday"