Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-07-23
Confined from first Page,

vulsively, and the husband tried in his
rough way to soothe her
In less than half an hour Ike was tray
ersing the snow covered streets of Nan
tucket, ringing his bell, and crying on
every corner:
George Smith lost--on the moor
Turn out, men, and find him. The night
is cold. and the snow is deep, and the
child will perish -
The sounds created CONSERVATION ::
strong men on foot and mounted. walked
or rode hurriedlv to the Smith house. got
information. and inpelled with that hn-
mainly which brought Christ from heav-
en- to win souls, they started forth in that
wild night to search for and find the
child.
All watchers know how time drags
when we wait for the coming Of fate.
when we hearken for the footsteps of
those who bring the tidings on which hang
our hopes and so waited that mother
she sat like one berett of power to move.
the only evidence Of life being in her
hands. Idly toying with the scarf about her
neck.
The gate closed with muffled sound
She could not rise to meet her fate The
door opened, and the father, whitened BIZ
the severe storm, stood in the glare of the
light.
There is no news. mother, ! hoped
the baby had come. Give me a cup Of
coffee, and will go out again"
lie drank the coffee. put his arms about
the wife. kissed away her tears. and as he
turned TO 60. his eyes fell on Rough. who
was walking after an uneasy fashion about
the room.
Fool" he muttered. why did we not
think Of him before? There, Rough. old
fellow. do you want a good supper? Go
and find George. Give him the boys
hat MOTHER
Ruth Jane got the faded cap the dog
snatched it from her hand, and stood ir-
resolute. looking first from one To the
other. The mother comprehended his in
quiry, and spoke
''Georgie il lost on the moor. Rough
he went TO Jim'- and is lost in the snow
The dog bounded through the door. and
cleared the fence. Mr.. Smith sailed forth
to 60 toward the graveyard. vaguely hop
ing that he might find him in that direc-
ton.
The girls sobbed themselves to sleep.
Ruth knitted in silence; Sam waited for
any service that might be needed of him:
Tom tried to road. but tears hid the let
tiers. and finally he put his book aside, and
went to his mother. placed cushion at
her feet. laid his head in her lap and
Rugged her cold hands to him. Three or
four neighbors sat near the center table,
but none could speak to the mother. who
leaned back In her chair, her face color
less. her eyes closed.
CuIfew rang never did the iron tongue
clang forth so doleiully. The wind swept
in pitiess gusts through the trees. around
the house. and down the chimney the
snow and hail pecked at the window pane
and crept in at the door; there was a
hushed silence, broken by a deep bark-a
low growl.
1T is Rough. shrieked the mother. at
Is Roughe Open the door quicklv-quick
for Gods love. quick Are your fingers
thnmbs?"
The door opened: at the gate stood
Rough, and in his mouth he held the boy.
The good woman took the child; the
mother fell on her knees in the snow by
the brute; she wound her arms about his
neck. and kissed hundred times his shag.
gy hide. glistening with icicles and frost
A woman's arm was put about her and
with the aid OF Sam she was laid on the
sofa.
Rough followed slowly. His strength
was gone. and staggering to his resting
place behind the stove. dropped there
rather than laid himself down.
sam went for DIR. Starbuck. who was
ready for the call. He ordered stimulants
for the mother, and went to the bov.
The hope of restoring him was almost
gone. He lay in the blankets rs beautiful
rs a sculptured image; his lips were blue
and life was at least suspended. DIR. Star
buck used heroic treatment, and in few
moments the eyelids fluttered and n sigh
rs from feeble soul came from the lips.
George is all right. Mrs Smith ?'' said
the doctor a half hour later Cheer up :
the little rascal will soon want you. Poor
Rough, he wants hot supper, added the
wise physician. who knew how to attract
the mothers gratitude. Ii was effectual.
She turned her head. and ordered Ruth
Jane to give him the best in the house.
and asked the doctor to send Sam to ring
the town bell. II was the signal agreed
on in case he was found pv an individual
not Of the party. and soon its Joyous notes
proclaimed the glad tidings. The news
rang through the tempest. Mothers wept
for Joy. and men on the moor trembled
with emotion.
1t was a memorable night for Nantuck-
ct. and midnight had come and gone be-
fore the tired searchers were in their beds.
from which they turned in the grim gray
dawn. called by the booming of cannon to
come in the name of humanity to the south
shore where a large brig was fast going
10 pieces. The crew were saved. but ev-
en- that incident did not rob Rough and
George of one whit of importance. Rough
was doubly crowned hero. All houses
were open to him. and no one passed him
after that without a caressing tap of the
hand and friendly nod. But he never
recovered from that nights work Where
he found Georgia. and how far none ever
knew. for the snow covered up every
track.
The child's story was this:
AFTER leaving grandmother's | saw
squirrel. and chased him. The snow be-
gan to come down. and | walked and
walked. and could not get to town: then
was SO tired sat under tree and went
to sleep"
Last spring Rough grew seriously sick
The papers noted his Illness children and
grown people made frequent inquiries af-
ter him; the doctor could do nothing; he
ss~s L.. L