The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1879-01-31
THE LOST ONE RESTORED.

nlRnJ was bfaNeTSlbR q IDlCsAIy NOOucO poL-
tion of the country in Missouri. lie had
ridden all day, and night overlook him aad
found him lost in what appeared an I'm
penetrable forest. The vines and under
brush grew so thickly that he was coanPell-
ed to halt and dismouuting from his beast
sheltered himself as best he could fren the
storm.
His servant, ayoung man some Is years
old, accompanied hin and was ver- much
terrified at the situation in which he found
himself, never having been ovtside the
limits of city until Mr.. Randolph had
employed him TO accompany h:n on his
Journey. Journeys in those Gays were
generally made on horseback OF stage, for
railroads had not then intersect ed.all parts
OF our gCeateceuEtTy, as at the present day.
"Johu," said MIR. Randolph, 1--WE shall
have to remain here until daE aElight-tbere
is no possibility of finding c1- way in this
darkness"
'If we are Eot on the right road" re-
piled John, 'Nwe must suTesy be near the
cabin we were told about at the black
smita's slfep."
''I fear" returned Mr. Randolph, "thst
we have lost the road entirely. In fact,
aUn very positive of it. We can do nothing
| think buGswait until its3 all become light
enough for us to again resume our jo1r-
ney."
While 3Ir. Randolph Eas speaking, the
wind lulled for a few moments, and there
came arcry which caused John Glover to
start with terror. Mr.. Randolph, who was
crouched beneath a tree, started to his feet
AID laid his hand on his pistol. Again the
cry broke forth, and Mr.. Randolph con-
manded gohu to search in the saddle bags
for q box of matches.
E'It;ssseme wild ani-lal, I suppose, y said
Glover, his teeth chatteIing with fear.
NO said Mr.. Randolph, whose Prao-
tised ear knew the .cTy OF beasts too we'd to
be deceived. otis AZ, uman voice, aud the
cry s-oRe of Distress
in C. few moments Mr.. Randolph had
lighted pocket lantern and was peesing
about kim with john Glover cautto9slE
standing in the rear.
s.Fo'Gow me. John - said Mr.. Randolph
and Immediately he.Dushed his way among
the bushes, while. dc listened for rePeti-
/ tion. o. the CRY.
Once again it came, and it seemed SO
near Kim that he started back and stood
pegple1ed. Just,then a vivid flash OF light
nin0.l lit up the forest and he saw some
thing white lying upon the ground, aoout
a dozen yards ih ,ad2ance.
Dir. Randolph daUted forward and seized
the object, which proved to be a female
child. of some eighteen months old, whC
was, badly bitten or the shoulder by some
wild sanimal He took the little creature
in his arms and carried her back to where
the berses were tie6
''What are you geing to do with it, sir?''
inquired John.
4'That thought,was crossing my mind at
that moment replied Mr.. Randolph, 90
can scarcely imagine. First, | must try
and discover who has lost child in this
part OF the country, and by that means en-
deavO- to find ont the parents OF this poor
creature >
And suppose. yea can't find thein %
sne gested John.
SThen 1 SUPPOSE shall have to adop.
her as my daughter" replied Mr. Ran
dolph.
''I3ut you are.not married, sir, sai6
John.
land never am likely to be-" responded
Mr.. Randolph, upOnrho6e mind came the
memory of one he loved who had passed
away fran earth and left lonely man.
"Wem3sJ not anticiFate,' he continued.
Tomorrow may bring the parents Of this
poor ltLle-ebild to light"
When daylight came Mr.. Randolph
found that he had wandered a good way
off the road, aud the, sun was well up ere
he gained the cabin at tie edge of the for
est. 1t was Inhabited by an old hunter by
the Rame OF Stubbs. He gave Mr.. Ran
dolph hearty weicQme, and was not long
in preparing hot breakfast.
well. ] never heard Of such thing be-
IL
with curiosity. "There,s no one living
within twenty miles of this place, and
can't imagine .bcw she. cauao TO be in the
wood. Old Biz Shoots cgs3in is a good
twenty miles from here, and Dan Neal is
ten miles from him, and that's all the peo-
pie there are this side of IheState line
Neither Bill nor Dan are married, and it's
passing strange where the, young one came
from"
II ,eF, toll III xT,
the forest,' said Mr.. Randolph to Stubbs.
Take the whole dag to search for some
person claiming this child. will remain
here until you return" and he II aced a
piece of gold in the hunters palm.
'Tm afraid you'll have to fathe- that
young one," lie exclaimed, addressing Mr..
Randolph, I've ridden nearly forty miles
to day, and hear nothing from anybody
who has lost a child. Perhaps she Aas
been lost purposely."
Mr.. Randolph looked serious. Such .En
IDEA had not occurred to him. but from the
moment he heard the words OF the old hpn-
ser he mentally vowed that he WOuld adopt
the child If her parents were not discover
ed.
SeEenteen years later, Madge Randolph,
rs the founding was denominated, had
become the reigning belle of the town of
Mr.. Randolph had occasion to make
trip to the State of DouTaugo, in Mexico,
and for the purpose Joined party of ira
ders who were starting for Independence.
All the men went armed, and had much
in Indian fighting SO they felt
pretty much at ease on that score.
After two weeks travel beyond Smoky
Hill Fork, they came upon camp of ST.
oux Indians who had \ white woman n
bondage. Several of the traders offered to
purchase her freedom, but she was the wife
OF chief who refused her any proposition
Involving her leaving him. The poor crea-
ture seemed particularly desirous of enter
ing into conversation with her countrymsn,
but :be Indians Tudely thrust her back
when she implOred to be taken back to
civilized life.
= That afternoon the Indians broke up
heir cann and went away rEestMard The