Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-06-15
THE LOST CHILDREN.

two little boys aged three and a-half and
six and a-halfye respectively. During
the afternoon they sent the children to a
spring a short distance away for water
The children returned, but on the second
trim for water, they failed to return at the
time expected. The mother, becoming I'M
easy about them, went to the spring, but
the children were gone. After calling for
them. she returned to her husband, and
the two diligently prosecuted the search
for several hours, but without success
An alarm was communicated to the neigh
bors and a party was speedily organized
and they united their efforts to iind the
lost little ones Darkness came on and
the mother was almost distracted with
grief and anxiety. The searching party
was increased and all night the light from
the lanterns fitted through the dense I'M
dergrowth and among the rocks on the
west side Of the mountain. Mrs. Foltz
was not alone in her grief; for many
mothers of the Cedar Creek Valley looked
mon their little ones, safely tucked in
their beds. and united their prayers and
tears with the almost distracted mother
whose little ones were exposed to the dan
gers Of the mountain or, as was feared by
many. were lying at the bottom OF the
creek which rolled along the western base
of the North mountain. Hour after hour
of that anxious night passed away ana
there were no tidings from the little ones
About dav-break the steam fire alarm from
Prospect Tannery resounded through the
Valley. and for miles around the sturdy
farmers rushed forward prepared TO battle
with the flames, when they we're informed
that n nobler work awaited their efforts;
for. instead of saving property, they were
wanted to save, if possible, the lives oil
two innocent children. Two hundred
eager. willing men united in the search
and bour after hour it was prosecuted with
renewed vigor. Not finding them in the
mountain, it was supposed that they had
wandered along the creek and had been
drowned. A party at once searched the
creek. and every hole of any depth was
dragged. but there were no signs OF the
lost children. The day wore on, and as
the SIM sank behind the peaks OF Paddy
mountain, the mothers heert was almost
bursting with grief, for she knew that her
little ones. if living, must spend another
night exposed to dangerous reptiles, ana
suffering from the pangs of hunger upon
the cold. bleak mountain side. The JOY
bearing signal, which they expected 10
hear. was not sounded. Twilight was up
on them. but there was no tidings The
searcbers were foot-soGe and weary, but
they continued their work. Midnight
brought no news, and at daylight, the
signal calling for more help, if possible,
sounded from the TAnnery. Anxiety was
fast giving way to despair. The alarm
was communicated to the Shenandoah
Valley. At Mt. OLIVE, Saumsyille and
throughout that section of country, bands
were speedily organized and the search
began from the base Of the east side OF the
mountain. At Woodstock, the court house
bell was rung while the long roll sum-
moned the members of the military COM
many TO lend their assistance. number
promptly responded to the call. About :
o'clock Mr.. John Strosnider and brother
had crossed to the east side of the noun
tain. and a short distance from the top
they saw in the sand track of chllds
foot. Around them were granite boulderS
piled ore upon the other, and more des-
olate place to look for living human be-
ipgs could not well be imagined but AT
their feet was the impression OF the 1901
of bare-footed child. II was but little
tbinp-only the track of child's foot,
but it brought hope and gave new lm-
netus TO their efforts. They called, but
there was no reply. They looked careful
" in every direction, but there was no
encouragement, except the footprint in
the sand. They went down the mountain
among rocks that are scarcely ever trod
bv human feet, cautiously peering into
every nook formed by the irregular posi-
ton of the large mountain boulders.-
About quarter of a mile from the top OF
the mountain three large rocks resting
against each other formed an angular
shelter As Mr.. StrOsnider glanced TO-
wards it he observed the head of one OF
the children, as it raised itself from a
couch of leaves which the mountain
storms had borne to this little nook. There
the two weary little ones had found shell
ter and a resting place for tie night. The
little bucket, with which they intended to
carry water to their parents, was still IN
their charge.
The joyful signal was soon commune
Gated to the other bands scattered for sew
eral miles along the mountain ridges, and
as soon as a swift messenger could reach
the Tannery, the lOng-looked-for signal
for miles around, fellIupon the ears OF ex
pectant, anxious people. At first thI'
signal produced even greater anxiety, iol
the question instantly suggested to every
mind was Are they living or is 1t The
announcement of the death of the little
onesg From every direction rushed for
ward anxious men, impatient to learn thu
fate OF the lest children. When 1t wa
announced that they were safe, anxiety
gave way to such rejoicing as was neye
: before known in that little valley, and tn
children were borne with the crowd Il
their home, now the happiest in the land
Mrs. Foltz, the mother of the children
q lost in the mountain, noticed some change
=, in the dress of the younger child, and in
!, | ouired the cause. The older one inform
ed her that his little brother would no
20 to sleep the first night they were il
the mountain with his clothes on, an
that he had taken Off its little dress an
bonnet. which were spread out on a larg
, rock as bed. The little fellow SCENE
TO he well drilled in the idea that it wa
d not intended for people to wear clothe
J., while they sleep.
EDINBURG NOTES.
Wa reoret 10 saw that on Wednesday, {