Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1879-06-27
THE LOST BABY.
A Story of the Frontier.

4 Story OF the FrOntler.
The name of our little one was Mar
guerite, but We called her Little Pearl
Philip and /. She was our first baby,
the daintiest dearest little thing that
ever you set eyes on; cheeks like half
blown rosehuds, hair like rings of
sunshine, and ewes as blue rs the depths
of "a June sky. Darling little Pearl how
we loved her. We had been married
Just year and half when Philip
caught the western fever.
| loved my husband with an intensity
bordering on idolatry, but when he told
me of his intention to leave our beauti-
full cottage and seek his fortune in the
west, it was terrible blow to me. We
had lived at Rosedale ever since our
marriage, and | could see no reason
why we could not continue to live there.
Truly, the place belonged to my uncle,
but then it would be hours at his death,
and why should Philip fret and chafe
so under a foolish sense of dependence?
We had everything, elegant rooms,
flowers, birds, pleasure grounds, and
Sc wants enough to keep our hands from
anything like labor. and uncle gave it
all ungrudginslY; silll my husband was
not centent.
Il can't live this life, Belle" he said,
II wasn't made for it, My work awaits
me somewhere i'll the world, and |
must hunt it up. My little ones won't
respect their father by-and-by, if he is
nothing more than drone in the hive
of life."
| was vexed and angry at first, and
said great many things that were I'M
wise and unwomanly, but Philip pur-
sued the even tenor Of his way, all pa
thence and forbearance. Our prepare
tons were soon made, the few things
we held most precious were packed up.
and bidding adieu to our sunny south
ern home, we started westward.
The excitement of the Journey, to-
gether with my husbands constant ten
derness and encouragement, reconciled
me in measure to the change in my
life; and when we reached our little
western cottage, my impusive nature,
always rushing TO one extreme or the
other, carried me into an ecstacy of de-
light and anticipation, even beyond
anything my steadfast husband exhibit
ed. He seemed greatly relieved to see
me growing so thoroughly contented,
and we began our new lite very brave
ly.
The cottage was comfortable enough,
but bare and humble in com parison to
what we had hitherto been accustomed :;
the square, whitewashed rooms had q
dfeadfully forlorn look, and the little
kitchen, with its one staring window,
a,,I fhA nnnlr,,,,r 81 -,
middle of the floor, filled me with shud-
dering disgust every time | entered it,
But had made up my mind to endure
all and everything, and as / have said,
we began our new life very bravely.
For the first two or three months
had help, not very efficient help truly
but better far than none. Philip enter
ed at once upon the practice of law,
and as his office was some distance
from home he did not return until
evening, SO we had no great amount of
cooking to do, and between us, we
managed to keep the cottage tidy, and
to take care Of Little Pearl.
Every afternoon we went TO meet
him, taking Little Pearl, through the
grand and gorgeous prairies, and as
often as his happy eyes caught sight of
lis he would hasten forward with fond
embraces and approving words.
"Ah, Belle" he would say, II believe
am the happest man in the universe,
and you are growing contented, too,
dear-I can see il iii your bright face. ;"
The glory Of autumn faded, and the
chill November rains set in, bringing
dreary, sunless days, and changing the
gorgeous prairie bloom into endless
leagues of sodden gray. My girl left
me, and Little Pearl lew cross and
fretful III her teetbing. III addition to
his law business, Philip had gone into
farming, and we had two or three
laborers to feed and lodge, which great
~ increased the homework. Under
the accumulation of trials my patience
began to give way. ! worked late and
early, but ] grew morose and iretful,
and never had a pleasant word for my
husband. But he never complained.
Poor Belle he would say, poor,
overworked little wife, be as brave as
you can-better days will come by and
by. Just as soon rs get off from my
business Ill 60 to the city and obtain
permanent help. In the meantime,
don't fret the roses from your cheeks
and the brightness from your eyes
But despite my husbands loving
words and constant help, for he took
one-hali the household labor on his
own hands, ! continued to murmur at
my fate, and one morning the crisis
came.
Breakfast was unusually late, Little
Pearl cross TO absolute fretfulaess, and