Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-30

vainly calling, upon the names of the lost
ones How their hearts rose with hope a.
they fancied they heard the VOICES of their
darlings responding TO their dalisliq But IL
was only the echo Of their own voices, and
their hearts sunk into idespohdency again.
During the course Of the might most of
the neighbors Joined in the search Torches
flashed through the forest and guns were
fired at intervals 10 attract the attention of
the wandering children. But all their tolls
were in vain morning dawned, and not
even q trace Of the lost ones had been dis
covered. fuHr aii sinar
Meanwhile the news had been carried 10
adjoining towns, and large body Of settlers
collected TO lend their assistance 10 the
afflicted parents. isl ,l 800
The search was renewed with vigor. Hope
was again revived and earnest expectations
we're entertained, as the bands went forth
TO scour the woods, with critical and care
full attention to every nook and every cir
cumstance that might show signs OF the lost
children. ir r'N i1Fnlr0i Vi ~
In the middle of the afternoon, on the
east side of Warrens Pond, some three miles
from the log cabin of the Cadys, tracks Of
the children were discovered, and in near
adjacency were the footprints Of bear.
This discovery caused a fearful excitement
among the whole party. Eager and tremb-
ling were the purspers, but all indications
Of discovery disappeared. Faithful searches
among the rocks, forest trees and fallen
timbers, and along the shores OF the pond
revealed no further traces Of the lost children.
The night was spent in fruitless search.
Fires were kindled at convenient distances
in the forest, and the whole ground was gone
over again. Hundreds were now assembled
in the search--between four and five hun
dred, says the historian of the town. But
hope was long since extinguished; only the
spirit Of compassion for the agonized parents
prompted the continuance Of the search.
Exhausted by fatigue and want of sleep,
and with spirit sinking in despair, the
mothers broke down altogether. They had
relnquished all hopes of seeing the children
alive again, and the suspense had now be
come more terrible than the actual knowledge
Of their deaths. UoJ. t.I'
If could know that my Lily was relieved
from suffering, even by devouring beasts,
could be still. Could see fragment of
her torn limbs, would say no more. But
cannot rest while know not but what my
child is wandering and starving in yonder
gloom" ....4
Such artless eloquence as this could not
but move the spirits of the brave men who
had gathered for the search. They had
brought provisions with them, and they could
not go home while that mother plead 80
earnestly for their aid. They determined to
prosecute the search until they found some
satisfactory evidence Of the children being
dead or alive. l.o-n. 20 .o
The following signal was agreed upon
If they discovered traces Of the children one
gun was to be discharged; if they were
found dead or to have been destroyed two
guns were to be fred, and if they were found
alive three guns would give notice. Then
they started on pursuit. .-.e
1t was on the afternoon of the second
day after the children's disappearance, and
dusk was approaching, but those persever-
ing men still had hope of finding some
signs of the waits.
On the shores Of Warren's Pond cry was
raised
"a bear a bear Look out for him on
the leftp
A glimpse was caught of great, shaggy,
black shape rushing through the gloom.
entity the report of as many rifles told the
doom of the beast. As the settlers came
rushing in from the forest and gathered
around the huge carcass, they heard cry
that made their hearts leap into their
throats; it was the cry of a child.
Listen !" cried one of the men, surely
that was the voice of one of those we are
searching for"
Once more the cry sounded through the
gloom, a low, feeble wall for help.
"Thank God 1t is Harry's voice." ex.
claimed the settler Jennison rushing for
ward with great leaps over fallen trees and
rocks. "Oh, Harry, where are you ?" he
cried, pausing at distance.
"Here, father, here, answered the voice Of
the little fellow.
"Where where p cried the eager father,
unable to discern his boy through the
darkness.
"Why, up here in the tree"
Sure enough there he was, perched like
bird, in the branches Of huge beech that
rose above them.
"Is Lily with you, Harry ?" asked Cady,
tremblingly and half fearing to hear the
answer.
"Yes, she is up here fast asleep in the
trunk of the tree. We have a nice, cosy
nest; but thought you would never find US"
The two men clambered up into the beech,
and then they saw what was not apparent
from below. Fifteen feet from the ground
main trunk, and the space between had
gradually decayed until there was cavity
four or five feet deep, and nearly two feet
in diameter. In this singular provision Of
nature the two waits had found safe re-
treat IoI NNQ
How in the world did you find this
place, Harry ?" inquired his father. sl ef
ave were pursued by bear, and took to
this tree. He climbed after US, and We
crept down in here. The ugly beast came
very near getting us and he caught hold Of
Lily once with his great paw but struck
him and he left us. That was night before
last, and we have stayed here since" lsl .I
The most eloquent tongue could not have
surpassed in graphic vigor Harry's simple
account. The pioneers saw In their prescr-
walton the hand of God, and were strangely
silent. aiI ..I aiia fTT 70 :.
Lily was taken out Of her leafy bed, still
fast asleep, her golden curls sadly struggled,
her mouth stained with the juice of berries,
but never half 80 beautiful as now in her
fathers eyes.
"What is this in her handkerchief 2"
asked Jennison, as he drew out stained
cloth, with something wrapped inside it. lf
"Oh, that is Lily's breakfast" said the
boy. ID y1e bon
DIcdhlfStl 6XClullli6u idbuof.
Let us see what it is,' and, unwrapping 1t,
pint or more of blackberries were exposed
to view. h u in l.l ali - aI
al picked some for her every day." OBJ
served the lad. as he noticed the wondering
looks of the men. iali sfila .a MA
"And didn't you eat any ?" questioned
his father .In' aaHi iH
"No saved them all for Lily, for did
not know how long we should have to stay
here" 20 ,an1 7.l f ll al
Cady caught up the boy in his disengaged
hand, and kissed him. God win reward
you, | can't" he said. "Come, Jsnnison,
take the lad. lie is 80 weak that he oan
scarcely stand" WH Nole
The afflicted mothers and their assembled
friends at the cabin, Watching with anxious
but enfeebled solicitude, were soon made
aware of the safety Of the lost ones. How
their hearts struggled with the conflicting
emotions of Joy and fear, as the first rife
shot rang through the night. And when
the second report sounded, every heart al &
most ceased to beat, so apprehensivs were
they that they should not hear the third
The change that quickly succeeded, the Joy
that kindlsd in every breast, glowed in every
countenance, and sparkled in every eye, can
be better imagined than described. lil'iug
l-.-l n