Connecticut western news., 1889-10-23
Rocked Him to Sleep.

AVCAcu tO O1cCps
 A few years ago Swedish family named Olson left the fatherland and sought home and fortune in America, the promised land, says the Minne- apolis Journal. They were poor, but their hearts were stout, and they fear ed not for the future so long as they had health and strength. From the confusion and strangeness of Castle Garden they set their faces to the West-the golden Northwest. Others might stay and starve in the crowded cities, they said, but they would go where they could claim bit of land as their own and find health and happi- ness. The broad prairies of Dakota beckoned them onward, and at last they rested on unbrokon soil near Long Lake. The Olsons were amazed at the wealth of land that spread out before them, with the virgin soil waiting for the touch of the husbanlman, and they set to work with will. A year or two passed away. The Olsons had not become rich, but they had home that, however humble, was theirs, and they were happy.
 Harvest time came. The golden grain stood ripe and heavy in the fields. The mother and the eldest children went to help the father with the har- vestlest the rain might come and catch them mapping. So it happened one morning little Ween, aged z, was left all alone to care for his little brother, who was just able to toddle about the house. For an hour or two they amused themselves with their toys, and then the little one in childish glee, ran about the room .'playing horse." The floor l was built of rough, undried boards, and in some places had become "sprung." Careless of danger, little Ole ran about until he stepped in a crack and fell. The merciless boards closed fast about his foot and held him prisoner. Shrieking with pain he call ed to his brother for help. Ween tug ged away at the boards, but they re- fused to release their prey. Little Ole's appeals became more and more frantic. Ween went to the door and shouted for help, but no one heard him. At last, frantic with fear, he seized a dull axe that stood in the shed and rushed to the little sufferer. Still he could not pry up the boards. There was but one way now; he must cut off the little ones foot! So he raised the dull axe and brought it down. A ragged gasE was made and the shrieks grew louder .'Don't cry, Ole; will soon have yor free" And down came the cruel axe again. Again and again it fell, until a last the prisoner was free. The blood frightened Ween, and he took the little one in his arms and sought to sooth, it with song he had heard his mother sing:
 Rock-a-by, rock-a-by, baby, to sleep.
 Little Ole's cries became fainter ano fainter. His head fell lower on hi brothers arm and his eyes closed Ween thought the baby was very white but still he sat there grooming tht cradle song and waiting for the return of his father and mother. High nool came and the mother returned to pre- pare the frugal monday meal. No littl' voices came to greet her with shouts o5 joy, and her mothers heart stood stil with nameless terror. Into the house she rushed. 'Sh! sh!" whispered Ween. "Ole got hurted, but I rocked him to sleep"
 Yes, Ole was asleep. His eyes would never open again on earthly scenes And little Ween rocked to and fro singing softly:
 Rock-a-by, rock-a-by, baby, to sleep.