The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1879-06-12
20, Philip, the bsby. little Pearl, what

have you done with herr Ii
"Done with little Pearls Are you going
mad, Belief Tell me what you mean ?"
"Shes gone-little PEARLS gone. Icame
down stairs and found her cradle empty,
and was sure you had her"
He stood silent a moment, his face
growing as white and stern as death; then
he said, solemnly:
"No, Belle, 1 haven't seen the child. L
haven't been home since morning" III
He started on before me with long, rapid
strides, into the cottage, and up 70 the lit
tie cradle standing in the corner, as II 70
satisfy his own eyes. Then he turned
back TO the yard, and began TO examine
the tracks in the mud around the door
way The farm hands were examining
them also. II
"Moccasin tracks, boss said one old |
man, significantly, pointing TO an inden-
ture in the yielding soil. "Injuns, guess"
MY husbands face grew shade whittier |
ayes, he responded, 'that's it; "come, |
nv lads. we haven't moment to lose"
He started off followed by the labOrers, |
but few rods from-the house he turned
back.
"Poor Belle" he said, putting his arms
around me, ''this is terrible for you. bnt
you most 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 to-
night; You had bett,r go over to Mr. Dele
vans and stay till we return"
/ But did not 60. i went into the lone
" cottage. and fell ON my knees beside the
little empty crib. God had given me my
wish; I had no baby. All, me, the selftor-
ture, the bitterness of those long, long
hours can never be described. I
Morning dawned at last, lurid and misty,
a red sun struggling up through ragged
pillows OF gray fog. About 10 o'clock my
husband and his party returned, weary,
hagyard, and hopeless. They had follow
4 ed the Indians all night, but when at last
they came up with them, far beyond the
river, they could not gain no tidings ofthe
child. And all our after efforts were
equally unsuccessful. We offered rewards,
and instituted every means of inquiry, but
in vain. Little Pearl was gone! / had no
babyi -t.
There was ample time for leisure then !;
no peevish cries, no little baby wants TO
occupy me, But /, who had hated labor,
fed TO it now as my sole refuge and COM
fort. The only ease found was IN con-
slant action. MY husband worked too,
but his life seemed 10 have lost its impell-
ing force. its happiest inspiration.
Years went by, and, not content with
my simple household duties, I took charge
of a ueighloring schoUl-later / aided
INV husband in his Office. My mind ex-
banded. my ideas enlarged. l was no
longer an indolent, helpless repincr, but a
r strong. self-reliaut, laboring woman, true
, helpmate for my husband. Success
!, crowned our united efforts, wealth and re-
, nown flowed i'm upon us, my husband was
elected Judge and spoken of for congress
but VIC were childless for no more babies
, came.
4 Ten years after our removal To the west
! we received intelligence of my uncle's
D death, and, being his only heirs, we went
down at once to attend 10 the settlement
of his estate. Returning homewsrd. We
!, made tour of Niagara and the principal
0 northern cities.
:; One September night found us in New
. York, and at the opera The house was
!. unusually gay. the music divine. bu,
e through all the glamour and perfume OF
4 gorgeous toilets, amid the wailing of the
4 music, and the triumphant strains Of the
e singers, ! sat unconscious, almost indiffer
J, ent, the old yearning in my heart reused
" up to strange and sudden intensity. Only
one thought possessed me, and that Wa,
d my lost baby, little Pearl. l seemed to bt
1t living over that terrible morning ant
u long, long night again, and my eoul-criet
e would not be silehced. Yet in the ga,
% house and exquisite music there was moth
e ing suggestive of her short, sweet littl,
,e life; why, then. did she seem To hear me
What was il that thrilled and shook m'
2, so? t -.--. s.-
d The opera over, we started for our hotel
p AT one OF the crossings the carriage mad
n a sudden halt.
v Nothing but strap. shrokc loose; al
right in a moment, siniiI the driys,~s.
d anfTs. + IsaneJ 20 %y Syi nS1 Eanpinp i,
biz lie stars mellow an
noon hung like a golde
west. My eyes filled wit
Is ine1prc'siOls yearnins file
Sherc is my baby-where. is littl
to-nightf :" murmured.
Aase, madam, just one pennyr'
lender, childish voice, mellow an,
the note of blacks ird, startle
e my revery, and, looking dowr
ID - tiny Sgure and an appealing baby
I'd face below in the misty moonlight
s. "Please, madam, l never begged before
but grandmarm Is SD sick, and she's ca
r. nothing since yesterday" @ q,
4: Just then the driver sprang TO his boz
rs and the carriage whirled off again, lea,
20 ing the little thing far behind, but
In caught at my husbands arm. rs
m Phillip" l entrcated, stop the carraigs
lr must see that child"
He glanced back hesitatingly, and ther
is the little thing stood in the moonligh,
lie just we had left her. .sii D.
n al must Philip" l repeated; don't dc
lie ny me-"
And my husband bade the driver tur1
RI back, which he did with q muttered in
k precation. -... .-.-..-.s.
D. Now, my little girl" 1 said. leanin
f. out and extending my arm, ''comc here
/ and tell me how can help YOU"
1t "Gradmarm is sick, +" she replied, comm
close up to the wheels and raising he
soft blue eyes to my face, land SO hungry
d and nevey. begged before, madam!" =
,t "And whore does your grandma liv,
e. dearg"
S. Right down the street, in that row O
re tcnements."
'c Take her up, Philip; we mus, loo1
in NY husband obeyed, and the driver, be
10 ing promised double pay, turned down to
ward the tenements. l seated the littl
le girl beside me, and took her little brow
d hand in mine. The bare touch of he
le slender fingers made the very blood il
10 my heart thrill. and wanted TO clasp he
N in my arms and cover her poor, wan littl
IS face with kisses, with a longing that wa
,e absolute pain. 10
N "How pretty she ISL said, smoothing
le back her tangled golden hair that shade
Y her white forehead and sweet blue eyes.
d 'She looks like frightened bird" sal
10 my husband, smiling; what will you d
n. with her, BelIey" .
II. Keep her forever, if can" l replied
1 with a feeling of intense happiness at m
heart
IN Just then we reached the tenements
lg That's grandmama's rOOm," said tn
le child, pointing upward to window i