Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-07-30
The Lost Children.
A rALr or ruE Eanlr srrrrunEsrs,

glOr1eS clamDer1ng over the door, and molly
hooks blooming Under the windows, set Il
the middle Of a patch OF cleared ground, ant
all around a wide green forest, two children
playing with mud houses in the yard, and :
fair, young matronly woman sitting in I'll,
doorway, under the arching morning glories
busily putting patch on the torn leg Of !
pair Of homemade breeches; this was Tho
picture the sun shone on as IL settled dowr
toward the low ridge Of western hills one
charming August afternoon
1t was long, long ago, one hundred and
seventeen years this very year, In the town
Of Alstead, New Hampshire, and the hand
some matron was Mrs. Jacob Cady, whose
husband was one Of the first settlers Of that
region. This was the second year of Their
sojourn in the wilderness, and the young
wife and mother was becoming accustomed
to her wildwood life.
The nearest neighbors Of the Cadys bad
gone to the adjoining settlement OF WalpoIe
where there were mill and a store, and
they had left their child in the care of Mrs
Cady until their return. Harry Jennison
was a fine little fellow Of FIVE, dark eyed and
dark-baired, and handsome as young
Italian. He was In the habit Of often com
ing through the woods TO visit Lily Cady,
sweet child Of three, so this was not the
first time they had played together.
The two children had been as busy as
bees all Of the afternoon. They had irst
looked over together an illustrated copy of
Bunyan's "Pilgrin's Progress" in which
Christian and Great Heart in armor had
many an encounter with giants. Then they
examined an antique looking primer, wherein
was picture Of John Rogers burning at
the stake, and sundry comical illustrations
purporting to represent Adam and Eve in
Paradise, Peter denying Christ, dog pur.
suinga thief, etc. Growing tired Of this
mental amusement, they went out into the
sunshine, and two children never were hap
pier than they had been, making mud cakes
and pies, and eating imaginary suppers.
The shadows were growing long upon the
greensward, and the chirp of the cricket was
beginning to stir the hushed air, when the
two children, tired of acting the part of
housekeepers, relinquished their play. Mrs.
Cady had some time since gone within, and
now the odor of hot fat and toasted bread
came from out the cabin.
Mothers frying doughnuts, 'spects,"
said lily shifting the air eagerly, "and |
think would like some. Don't you like
doughnuts ~
Harry frankly acknowledged his fondness
for fried pastry, and the two ran into the
cabin.
"Oh, tell you what" exclaimed Lily,
suddenly, with huge bite of the warm cake
in her mouth, wouldn't papa
like some of these? Can't we carry him
couple, mamma ?"
"Father will soon be here" answered
Mrs. Cady, as she busted herself putting the
plates upon the table.
"But should like very much to carry
him warm doughnut," persisted Lily, in
low tone, as il half to herself. al know /
could find him, and we could walk home
with him."
The mother went to the door, and shading
her eyes with her hands, looked keenly down
the clearing. The wellknown form of her
husband was not in sight, and far away in
the forest she heard the sound of wood
mans axe.
"Your father is chopping yet, and the
way is long, Lily, but you may go and meet
him when you see him coming through the
clearing" and Mrs. Cady turned again to
her work.
"But ma'am, we might start now,' OBJ
served Harry, cavalier-like, embracing his
cause. al know where Mr.
Cady is at work, and l will take good care
Of Lily"
"Take the doughnuts and hasten then,"
said Mrs. Cady, selecting two of the largest
and handing them to the children. "And
Lily, tell your father that supper is all
ready"
They sprang away with merry shouts,
crossed with bound the sparkling little
brook, whose channel was filled with the
shower Of the previous night, and struck out
across the clearing in the direction of the
axe-strokes.
The mother watched them from the door
till curve in the forest shut them from her
sight. Then she re-entered the kitchen, and
while the water sang in the kettle and the
fragrant supper steamed upon the hearth,
she took her unfinished mending and sat
down with hsppy smile upon her face to
await the return Of the loved ones.
More than half an hour had passed away
and she was aroused by hearing the merry
whistle Of her husband just without.
"They are coming" she thought to her
self, and at once sprang up to place the tea
things upon the table.
"Why where's the children, Jacob ?"
she asked, as the husband entered alone,
sluofb anu muSculdr, WIN his WOOion itOck
over one arm, and heavy axe on the other
He halted, half-confounded by the eager
ness of the question.
"The children Why, have seen no
children. Mary, where have they gone ?"
Harry and Lily went out to meet you,"
answered Mrs. Cady, while sudden pale.
ness blanched her face. "They must have
wandered in the wrong direction"
l"Dont worry, Mary they cannot have
gone far" observed Jacob, soothingly, as
he noticed his wife's alarm. al will step
out and hunt them up, while you are setting
the table,"
1t was already twilight, and the shadows
were thickeniDg fast as he went out-of-doors,
and the pioneer found himself involuntarily
Fastening his steps. His bold heart felt q
little thrill of fear, when, after proceeding a
short distance, he shouted without having
an answer. .f
He walked hurriedly forward, and, after a
few moments, halted and raised his voice
again. 1H
T"Of course they will hear me this time -
he said to himself, but his heart beat so
loudly that he feared he should not hear
their response. Again he shouted; his only
answer was dull, prolonged echo among
the hills. n.nlI d ~
He made the circuit of the clearing and
visited the spot where he had been at work
all day. But neither sight nor sound had
he of the wanderers, With foreboding
heart he retraced his steps.
Halfway across the clearing he met his
wife, who, unable to remain at rest, had
gone out, hoping to meet her husband re-
turning with the children.
"Oh Jacob, can you not find them 7"
she gasped. "Where can they have wan
dered TO 2" and she sank down upon the
grass and wrung her hands wildly. lnN
ABE calm, Mary; they cannot be lost. We
will return and get light snd gun, and
then will continue the search"
Before they reached home they saw light
flashing in their yard, and presently voice
called out: 19lH4 .ai 73 M
"Hallo what's the matter. Neighbor
Cady ." lnIi 0InI eI Qi Hul .ff
"Nothing bad, ] hope Jennison," an.
swersd Cady; "but Harry and Lily have
strayed away, and we haven't found them
yet aaa'a.A 0siaaa niH Hau
"My God Cady," cried the man, his face
turning 10 an ashy hue. "And they say up
Walpole way that that bears been at It
again; smashed Beckwith's barn-door in
last night, and throttled his best yearling.
More than likely as not those children will
run into his clutches. My wife will be crazy.
! came over purPosely after Harry to take
him home" ~ ll' - H
Say no more, Jennison, for Gods sake,
but 90 and alarm the neiRhbors Get them