The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-06-11
ALTTI:E pICN-T7n'3 RIDE.

whoa, Back. WAca, Bright" called
out Stephen Harris, pioneer; and the
glossy red oxen halted in the forest
opening. This shall be ont dinner
camp today, boys" said he. See what
a fine spot"
The pair of stalwart lads, with rifles
on their shoulders, who had been walk
ing all the forenoon beside the big
covered wagon, thought it was truly
fine spot, and began to make camp for,
dinner, uryoking the oxen and turning
them out to Craze, kindling fire with
dry twigs and mess and fetching water
from the clear brook that rippled by.
Meanwhile children of all ages began
to climb down from the wagon. There
were ten of them, fine healthy children.
The youngest, Martha, wcs a little E'sl-
low-haired girl of three, the pet and
pride of them all. They we're ovcrjcy-
ed at the prospect Of running about
and stretching their cramped limbs,
and the forest echoed to their joyful
voices. Last alighted the mother,
brisk, cheerful woman, under whose
good management dinner was soon
ready. Every day the camp dinner was
like picnic to this family who had
been thirty days on their way from
Connecticut to the Ohio" where they
hoped to find a fine farm and a good
home.
The wagon, which had been their
travelling house for month, was we'll
fitted up for comfort. The seats we're
built along the sides, and so. contrived
as to hook back at night. Then the
bedding, tightly rolled up by day, was
spread out On the wagon bottom. The
cooking utensils were hung up on the
sides, and a rcomy box nailed at tf =
end held the other useful articles. All
of the cups, plates, and spoons were OF
bright unbreakable tin. Under the
wagon swung the large copper kettle,
the most important of all things in the
households of those early times.
After dinner the bright tin dishes
were washed in the brook, and the fire
very carefully put out" But the trav-
elers still fingered under the trees, so
restful and lovely seemed the cool
green spot At length Mr.. Harris said
that the sun was fast travelling west
ward, and that they must be doing the
same.
So the oxen were yoked up, and in
great spirits the pioneers scrambled to
their places in the wagon, and the oxen
started on at g good pace; and they
had gone a mile or two before the
fearful discovery was maze that little
Martha was missing! 1t seems imposs
sible that they saoluld not have known
at once that she was not with them;
but 50 it was,-not one of them had
missed her!
The patient oxen were turned about,
and as fast as possible the distracted
family travelled back to the dinner
camp, Mr.. Harris and the big brothers
calling, as they went, the name Of the
darling child.
The camp was finally reached; but
little Martha was not there, and no
trace of her could be found.
The forest had seemed so peaceful an
hour before, but now it was filled with
terrors. What wild animals. might not
lurk In the thickets! The very brook
seemed to Iurmur of dangers s,-quick'
sands and trea1nerous water-holes.
"Baby! O baby!" called Mrs. Harris
suddenly, breaking into sharp cry;
and this time, in the anxious waiting
pause Of silence, a shrill little voice
from right under the wagon piped out
Here l Isl" and over the rim OF the
great copper kettle popped Martha's
golden head. Scrambling out, head
over-heels," she rushed into her moth
er's arms, as fresh and rosy from her
sound after-dinner nap as though She
had been rocked in the downiest era
die in the land.
There was praise and thanksgiving
there was laughter and tears, and the
forest echoed to the glad shouts of the
boys, who could not otherwise express
the 10y and relief of their hearts. Then
they climbed into the big wagon again
and this time each one made sure that
little Martha was not missing.
I In after years the energy and thrift
Of the Harris family brought then
great prosperity. Broad acres and fruit
full orchards and a beautiful home be
came theirs, but their most priced pos
session was the big copper kettle II
which little pioneer Martha took hel
afterdinner ride.-Anna e. Treat, II
Little Folks.