The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-11-21

"Oh, what shall I do? What shall I
do? I've lost the village darning-nee-
dle," cried good Mrs. Dickson. wiring
ing her hands. 1t was a bright July
day in the year l77e. soon after the
signing Of the declaration Of indepen-
dence; but the people OF Mystic had
not heard of that great event. 1t took
days. sometimes weeks, for new TO
be carried to towns that were far away
from the large cities and seaports. The
news Of the loss Of the village darning-
needle was a great blow to the good
wives Of Mystic. Out they ran, some
to scold poor Mrs. Dickson, who had
lost it while on her way home from the
mill, and some to look for the needle
which was. of course, a great deal
more sensible. The village was a long
way from any place where new darn
ing-neeuies could be bought. and
women did not go shopping in those
days. They stayed at home and spun
what goods they needed for clothes and
bedding, instead of going TO buy it.
So it happened hat just at that time
there was only one darning-needle. and
all the housewives used il in turn. II
was sent, carefully wrapped up, from
n house to another. And o Mrs
Dickson had in some way let il fall
from her apron while jolting along on
horseback from the mill. Three miles
of forest road along which she might
have dropped il, 1t was a deal of
space in which to hunt, but hunt they
must, oil stockings could not be mend
ed. All the children, and all the
women, yes. and some of the men.
turned out to look for the village darn
ing-needle that bright July day. Mean
time. the news of the declaration of in
dependence had reached another viii
lage fifteen miles nearer TO the city
than Mystic was; and after the people
there had got over their first excite
ment. and had settled down to plan
ming how they should celebrate the
Fourth of July properly. even if it
was a few days late. some one proposed
that the news be sent on 10 Mystic.
All the boys in town were eager to 20.
but Paul Davenport was soon chosen.
because he had the swiftest horse. and
was known to be a brave and fearless
lad. Ii was no uncommon thing in
those days to meet With Indians in that
part OF the country. and one had to de-
pend mainly on a brave heart ana a
fast horse then. Paul felt very i'm
portsnt As he rode out OF the village
and started on his journey. Ii was
such a lovely day that il seemed as if
nature was really smiling for 10Y. Most
of his way lay through the woods. and
he could hear the songs of birds and
the chatter Of squirrels as he rode
along. Fortunately Paul met no one
Few people travelled far from their
home in those days. At length he
came out OF the woods upon the high
way that led TO the village. He had
made up his mind to ride straight 10
the green, dismount there. n ten his
news with all the ceremony il ought
10 have. He entered the village hying
but strangely enough. he saw no one
The fields were empty. and no house
wives were out on the 6oorsseps ar
spreading their webs Of linen to bleach
in the yards. Doors and windows
were wide open. but no faces looked
forth, Paul leaped from his horse n
went to one Of the houses I look in.
Everything was in order. and a hahv
lay asleep in its cradle
1t could no be a raid by the In
dians. thought the boy as he went
out They would not leave a ehsls
and. besides. there are no marks az
battle around. Just then he heard q
faint sound of shouting, For n min
ute he was frightened. thinking il wss
perhaps a hand of Indians: but as he
looked. he saw on the edge Of the VII
lage 4 crowd Of women. boys aud girls
with 3 few men carrying on their
shoulders a little girl The children
wsre eaperlng about and sAoatisx
~Harrahs Hurrah, Ruth oans i,
Ruth found it, When Paul got m
10 the crowd he found what was xOsns
on, II was the party OF searcherS Tor
the lost darning-needle- They has nos
had 10 go very far. for before 8 hslf
mile had been searched. the hrixss
eyes OF little Ruth En6ieott had sp;es