The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-02

big machine. All at once he thought:
II will go a little way in and find some
nests, and l will put them in my hat
and carry them out in the orchard.
How glad the poor mamma birds will be
when save the little brides lives!"
Now, Clifford's mamma had often told
him never to go away from the house
alone; but he had forgotten all else now,
in his wish to save the lives of the young
birds that we're in such peril. So into
the forest of yellow glory he made his
way. On and on he went, hunting for
the nests. Finally, the poor little man
was 60 tired OF making his way and of
searching in vain for the birds that after
an hours tramp. he decided "to go home
to his mamma" So he turned around
and started back; but which way was
backf He was so small that, in coming
through, he had not broken single
stalk, but had slipped between them,
and so had not left trace behind.
He turned back, expecting, of course,
to come right out in sight of mammals
kitchen door; and he wondered if dinner
would be ready, and il mamma would be
glad to see him now. So he made his
way.a little farther; andlthen he thought
he would sit down and rest just little
while. and perhaps he would hear the
dinner-horn blow. Then he would run
on home.
When Mrs. Holt finished the biscuit.
it was time to prepare the dinner. Once
or twice the thought Of Clifford's flushed
face came to her; and she thought he
must have gone upstairs after all, be-
cause it had been such long time since
she had seen anything Of him. When
noon came, shrill blast of the long tin
horn brought Mr.. Holt and his two men
home to their dinner. To Mr.. Hollis in
quiry. Where is CliffordY' Mrs. Holt
replied. "Asleep upstairs" His dinner
was carefully put away for him. and the
men returned to their work.
Late in the afternoon Mrs. Holt awoke
with start from the long nap she had
taken on the dining room sofa, where
she had thrown herself for little rest
before going upstairs. Her first thought
was of Clifford; and upstairs she flew,
into the little room where his cot stood.
He had not been there at all, nor in her
room. Thoroughly alarmed she vent
up into the garnet, where he sometimes
Played; but all was silent and empty.
The next instant the horn sent its call
echoing over the prairie in blast after
blast, recalling Mr. Holt in great haste.
All was confusion now. What had be-
come of Clifford?
The first thought was of the small
creek that ran half mile beyond the
house, and its banks we're searched in
vain for trace. They went along the
road for miles in each direction; but
nothing was to be seen except the golden
headed grain on either side, nodding
their good night to the setting sun. At
length, as the great full moon was rising.
they returned home, the father in hope
less despair, not knowing what was to
be done next to find his child, whether
alive or dead. Mrs. Holt was living over
the morning in perfect agony of remorse
for the hasty words, and.the thought
that, perhaps, nowhere would be no
Clifford ever to trouble again.
Some of the nearest neighbors had
c,me by this time to join in the search.
Just then thought came to Mr.. Holt of
Rover; and calling him, he said: where
is Clifford Go find Clifford!' This he
repeated several times, until the dog be-
gan smelling the ground.
1t was some time before the track
across the road was found; but, when it
was, the dog went straight into the
wheat and disappeared Mr.. Holt fol-
lowed, the moon making it almost as
light as day
After going a little way. he stopped
and called to Rover, thinking what nom
sense to be wasting the time in this way,
No doubt. Rover thought he was after
birds; and, besides, he was breaking the
wheat all down. And he had told Cliff
ford never to go into the grain for that
very reason. But Rover would not
come back, but ran on as if he under
unas --> - $3.50.