Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1891-02-05

w mere was IeO0ys ms was the
first time in his life he had been away
without some one Of the household
knowing where.
The servants were questioned, but all
gave the same answer: Il do not
know"
Mrs. Malcolm grew very pale, and
while others searched the extensive
grounds covered with shrubbery, she
looked the great house over thoroughly,
but no little smiling face surrounded
with golden curls app jared.
TEDDY. Teddy Teddy" she called,
until the shadows of night crept down.
One after the other of the servants re-
turned, without the little boy
The Malcolm estate lay in the sub
urbs OF beautiful southern town, two
miles from the village proper.
Agnes" said Mrs. Malcolm, when
convinced that the child was not on the
premises, "remain here, do not leave
the house; Martha, John and Hiram
must still keep about the grounds, while
will go with William to the city and
procure some experienced persons to
assist in the search"
Soon Black Prince, Mrs Malcolm's
favorite horse, was harnessed and
hitched to the light phaeton. The lamps
were lighted on either side and an extra
lantern was carried in Williams hand.
Teddy's grandma did not forget TO
take her darling's hat and wrap, for the
night air was heavy and damp.
There was no moon that night, but a
Il lol -. Il
a light breeze rustled the leaves of the
trees.
Mrs. Malcolm's distress was terrible.
Again and again she called her dar-
ling's name and William frequently
left the carriage to search some wayside
nook.
Then it suddenly occurred to her he
might have been stolen by some wicked
person in the hope of getting a large
ransom, her wealth as we'll as her great
love for the little boy being well known.
''Oh, my darling, my darling" she
moaned, while the great tears rolled
down her checks.
"Have you any idea where he could
have gone, William? Or do you think
it possible that he is stolen?" she asked
her driver, who, as well as the other
servants on the estate, dearly loved the
kind and affectionate child.
William shook his head
81 don't believe he is stolen, ma am"
he answered. Il think he just wan
dered off, and | feel sure we will find
him. / mind now" he went on, ''see-
ing him about three o'clock. He was
standing on the side porch, and he had
his book of soldiers in his hand"
''Shree o'clock, echoed Mrs. Malcolm.
''Why, that was just after l left him, as
thought, asleep"
And then the mornings conversation
suddenly occurred to her; and also there
came to her mind like flash of light
the remembrance of recent visit she
and Teddy had made to the barracks
near the city.
civilian, drive to the barracks" she
said, and William turned Black Princes
head in that direction,
There seemed to be something unu-
sual going on when they arrived there to
Judge by the laughter and shouting.
William sprapg to the ground, but his
mistress was out of the ph@uon before
he could help her, and in a moment
more they both entered the barracks, and
what do you think they saw?
A long table stood in the center of the
mess room, and on this, decked out with
soldiers cap and fatigue coat, and
holding a sword, was Master Ted. He
seemed perfectly happy and contented
and was trying to obey the commands
given him by the soldiers who stood
around him.
When his grandmother saw him she
nearly tainted with JOY, but William
began to laugh heartily.
The men seeing the lady, whom many
of them knew, removed their caps and
came forward to meet her.
They explained that Teddy had been
with them but short time.
He was very tired when he was
brought there by man who had met
him trudging along and to whom he
said he was going to the barracks to be
a ''solder," and they had given him his
supper and were about to send him home
when Mrs. Malcolm arrived. When he
caught sight of his best friend, he
shouted merrily: "See, danma, see, Use
your really little solder"
1t took much persuasion and many
promises of future visits, before Teddy
would consent to doff his regimentals
and return to civilian life, but he final
1y yielded, and Grandma's solder" slept
close in her arms again that night. -
Detroit Free Press.