The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-06-05

She had good aunt in England,
however, who took great pains to dis
cover the child after the death of the
parents, and sent for her to come home
and be cared for. It was no easy mat
tet, TO get a five-years' child across the
Atlantic; for the aunt could not come
to fetch her, and no one whom she
knew was going over. But Maggie had
found friends in Chicago; the American
Consul at Manchester was interested in
the case, and everyone was glad to help
the forlorn baby, who was too young to
understand the pathos of her story.
After letters had gone to and fro. it
was decided to send the child to En-
gland in charge of the Captain of a
steamer, trusting to the kindness 1T all
fellow-travelers to help her on her way.
The friends in Chicago bestirred
themselves TO get her ready, and then
it was that Annie's mother found that
she could do something which would
have delighted her darling, had she
been here to know of it. Laid tender
" away were marty small garments be-
longing to the other little pilgrim,
whose journeying was SO soon ended;
and from among all these precious
things Mrs. Percival carefully chose a
comfortable outfit for that cold March
voyage.
When all was ready, Maggie's small
effects were packed in light basket, SO
that she could carry it herself if need
be. A card briefly telling the story was
fastened on the corner, and similar
paper recommending her to the pro-
lection of all kind people was sewed to
the bosom f her ffock. Then, not in
the least realizing What lay before her,
the child was consigned to the con-
ductor of the train to be forwarded to-
persons in New York who would see
her safely OH board the steamer.
should dearly like to have seen the
little maid and the big basket as they
set out on that long trip as TRANQUILITY
as if for days visit and it is a COM
fort to know that before the train
started the persons who took her there
had interested motherly lady in the
young traveller, who promised to
watch over her while their ways were
the same.
All went we'll, and Maggie was safe
ly delivered to the New York friends,
who forwarded her to the steamer, well
supplied with toys and comforts for
the voyage, and placed in charge of
Captain and stewardess. She sailed
on the third of March, and on the
twelfth landed at Liverpool after a
pleasant trip, during which she was the
pet of all on board.
The aunt welcomed her joyfully,
and the same day the child reached her
new home, the Commercial Inn, Comp
stall, afte* Journey of over four thou
sand miles. The Consul and owners
of the steamer waited to see the adj
venturous young lady who had come
so far alone, and neighbors and
strangers made quite lion of her,
for all kindly hearts were interested,
and the protective charity which had
guided and guarded her in two hem
ispheres and across TIE wide sea, made
all men fathers, all women mothers to
the little one till she was safe.
So ends the journey of my second
small traveller, and when think of her
safe and happy in a good home, al
ways fancy that Gf such things may
be) in the land which is lovelier than
even beautiful Old England, Maggie's
mother watches over little Annie
Louisa M. Alcott, IN st. Nicholas for
June,