The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-04-12

ali siens fail at times
Mine dout," said grandma In tone ol
deep conviction. "And ~ was lying Ia
bed this morning. little bird flew in 81
the window. and lighted on my bedpost
know What that means, Susan, Danny
ain't going 10 be here very long. you'll see
that be isn't And the worst Of II is thai
he'll be took oil sudden aud ia some VI
common way"
No reasoning could shake grsndmother's
conviction 10 w.. EAST, ard her continued
depression and gloomy predictions made
us oil very uncomfortable Indeed. so
strong is supersiition that not one Of us
children could help looking upon dear
little Dan as doomed child. in spite OF
mothers arguments To the contrary.
Grandmother had other naiAiling sigps
indicating Danny's early demise, A white
itten came 10 The docf one day, aud
grandma shook her head gioomily.
"But have slways heard that il Was
sign Of good luck to have kitten come
TO the house, said father
"A black or gray kitten is good sign,
but white one is a sign Of She stopped
over, caught Danny mp in her arms, aud
hastily left the room.
An old white rooster that we had, crow
ed on the doorstep that day. and grand
ma ordered bis instant execution as the
only means OF aver,ing his share OF the
disaster threatening Danny.
Grsndma's signs multiplied fast, and
were Of a positive, never failing character,
She came down to breskfast one beautiful
June morning, bowed down with the
dread.u conviction that the end would
come that very day.
Danpy's condition did not warrant an
expectation OF death from disease, at all
events lie seemed to be swapping bis
little pink fingers at all kinds OF signs as
be lay in his cradle kicking up bis heels
and Growing geeiuly. he was almost a
year old at this time, and grandma had
said that he would never hive TO see bis
first birthday.
During the forenoon we we're visited by
several OF our relatives who had driven a
distance Of ten miles to spend the dag al
our house. We we're delighted to see
them and gave ourselves up to 9 day of
enjoyment Even grandma oined in our
pleasure seeming to forget her doleful
prophesies Of what the day would bring
forth
After dinner, which was the great event
OF the day. the entire family with the eK
ception Of grandma and baby Dan, stroll
ed out into the orchard with our visitors.
From the orchard we went on over bit
of meadow land In search OF wild straw
berries which were abundant.
Then we went up a grassy hillside aud
into little grove OF oaks apd elms. There
we all sat down on the grass and enjoyed
what We called "a real social time," until
father bethought him to look at his watch
and said:
"Why, It's nearly four o'clock. We
have been away three hours. Danny will
have quite worn grandmother out with
the care Of him. We must hurry home.
When we reached the house We found
grandma fast asleep 10 her rocking chair
on the piazza, lock OF her gray hair
blown over her face by the June wind, and
her wrinkled hands crossed peacefully in
the sunshine which fell across her lap
She heard our footsteps and was awake in
an instant.
"Where is Danny ?" asked mother 1T
isn't possible that be has slept all this
time"
81 guess he has, said grandma; 81
haint heard a sound from him."
Mother stepped hurriedIy into the room
10 which Danny always took his MONDAY
nap. She came out Instantly, quite pale,
md saying in trembling voice:
He isn't there; he's gone J.
"Whst did you say. Susan p ask
ID grandmother. rising to her feet and
'peaking with painful deliberstion.
Hes gone |" said mother again.
GRANDMOTHER gave a low moan, sank
back in her chair aud said, so!emnly:
II knew 1t would be 30. You laughed
It my signs, Susan. You wouldn't hear
% them. feel Ia my bones that Danny
Bertram will never be seen again on this
,arth The signs don't fail me."
| remember that set up dreadful
lowl, 10 which | was joined by my broth
,rs aud sisters. Father ani our friends
began an immediate aud thorough search
or Danny, but 10 trace VI him could be
ound.
Grandmother encouraged u, by saying
rom time TO time between her broken
Iobs: Its 40 use 10 huni for hin. He's
zone. Hen never be seen again ON this
,arth."
Mother bruke down entirely after
hort time. aud lay crying on a lounge
Nth one Of my sunts bathing her temples
md talking sootbingly to ber.
We looked everywhere I'm places that
he little feet could never have sirsyed
uto
10 the highest and the lowest and the
ioniIest spot,
They eagerly sought. but found him not
1T looks TO me like case OF kidnsp
,ing, ssii one Of my visiting uncles.
So il does. said father; "and yet j,
loesui seem possible that
II, amt possible. David interrupted
trandma I'm satisfied that / bsdn't
,eeo s.leep 10 minutes when yoa folks
isrie home, and know ths, 10 one was
'ear the house before yon came. No, no.