South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-04-25
South alrantlr antelligcneer.
ROMNEY. FRIDAY. APRIL %. 1879.
The Lost Baby.
4 STORY OF THE FRONTIER,

guerite, but we called her Little Pearl.
Philip and 1. She was our first baby.
the daintiest dearest little thing that ev-
er YOU set eyes on cheeks like half
blown roscbuds, hair like rings Of sun
shine, and eyes as blue as the depths of
June sky. Darling Little Pearl, how
we loved her. We had been married
just year and a half when Philip caught
the western fever.
l loved my husband with an intensi-
ty bordering on idolatry. but when he
told me Of his intention TO leave our
beautiful cottage and seek his fortune
in the far West, it was terrible blow
to me. We had lived at Rosedale ever
since our marriage, aud / could see no
reason why We coull not continue 10
live there. Truly. the place belonged
to my uncle, but then IL would be ours
at his death, and why should Philip
fret and chafe so under foolish sense
OF dependence? We had every thing.
elegant rooms, flowers, birds, pleasure
grounds, and servants enough to keep
our hands from anything like labor, and
uncle gave it all ungrudgingly, still my
hu9band was not conten..
i can't live this lie, Belle he said
L wasn't made for il. My work awaits
me somewhere in the world. aud must
hunt it up. My little ones won't re-
spect their father by-and-by if he isaoth-
ing more than = drone in the hive Of
life
was vcXed and angry at first. and
said a great many things that were un-
wise and unwomauly, bus Philip pursu.
ed the even tenor OF his way, all pa
thence and totbcarancc. Our prcp.ra
tons were soon made, the few things
we hcld most precious were picked up.
and bidding adicu TO our sunny 5JutA-
crn home, we started westward.
The excitement Ut the journey, tuIctn-
er with my husbands constant ten Ter
ness Il encJuragcment, recOnCilnd me in
measure to tie change of life s. VIII N
we reached our little westara cottage,
my impu.slYe nature, always rushing to
one extreme or the OJhcr, carried ne in
to an ccstacy of delight and anticipation,
even ncyoul anything my stea3rost
husband exhibited. He seemed Greatly
relieved TO see me growing SO thorough
y contentei, AL We began our AeY life
very brayGIy.
The cottage was comfortable enough
but bare aaj humble in comparison 10
what we la" hitherto heon accustomed ;
the square, wh,tewashed rooms had q
jrca1fJily roriorn look and the little
kitchen, with lts one starring window,
and the cooking stove standing in the
middle OF the door. filed me with ahud.
derinE disgust every time | entered it.
lnt | had made up my mind to endure
. ali - r! a,l N, I B.. ..; i
"e began our new life very bravciy-
For the first t"o or three months I
hGd help, lot very efficient help truly
but better far thnn none. Philip enter.
I'd a' once upon the praclic. Of law, & Is
his Office vas some distance from home he
did nos return until evening, 80 wo had
no great amount OF cooking to DO and
between Us, we managed to keep the
cottage tidy. AMI take care OF Little
Pearl
Every afternoon ! went 70 meet Linn
taking little Pearl, through the grand
ani gorgeous prairics, and as often as
his happy eyes caught sight OF ia he
would hasten forward with fond embraces
aud approving words.
Nh. Belle he would say. i believe |
am the happicst man In the universe, aud
YOU are growing conteutci. too. dear
can see it in your bright face
The glory Of autumn faded, and the
chill November rains set i'm. bringing
drcary, sunless days. and changing lho
gorgeous prairie.bloom into endless
leagues of sodden gray. Ny girl left
me, and little Pearl grew cross and fret.
lu IN her teeihiug. In addition 10 his