Year: 1865

distinctly the words, mamma. mamma"
repeated continually, in a tone of childish ter
ror and despair. Gould it be human being,
or was it but the cry of some starving lamb
The doubt lent new energy to his exertions,
and pushing boldly through the gloom, he
rapidly neared the place where the creature.
whatever it might be, was standing.


A thick marsh spread out before him, and
but little distance from this he heard the
cries that had now died away to more shiver-


Ing sobs and with throbbing heart, he plunged
forward aud cropping about this he nearcd the
spot grasped in his hand the dress of IL child


Pulling the little creature from the mire
into which it had become embedded up to its
waist. he lifted it tcndcrly in his arms, and
began to retrace his steps for the cypress
tree--a matter rendered doubly difficult by
tho burden he carried.


But strong will accomplishcs anything,
and, after weary struggle. Harry found
himself once more in his retreat, and bis little
prize safe with him. By the light of the few
sticks still blazing but not with flame large
enough for warmth, he looked into the face of
the little creature in his arms. and saw that
he had rescued from . most terrible death a
beautiful little girl of some two or three years
old. Had he rescued her? Her face was
set and motionless, her limbs cold and stiff,
and death seemed already to have claimed her
as his own


There was no time to hesitate. and creeping
into the hollow again. Harry wrapped his
charge in his coat. and piling the moss thick
over both, he huggcd her in his arms, hoping
by the warmth of his own body, to bring life
again to hers.


Well were his efforts rewarded the little
heart began to beat again, tue chld's limbs
regancd their warmth. and the poor child
slept the death-like sleep of wcariness and IA
tguc. towards morning Harry himself fell
asleep, and was only aroused when at broad
daylight, his little charge wakened and started
up from his arms.


He tried to question her as to who she was
and whence she had come, but from the few
words the poor child could UTTER he could only
gather that her name was Z" Maine. and that
she had strayed from her mothers side, as he
presumed from her frequent cries for 9 NAM
ma"


Threading Li, way out Of the swamps he
turned towards some negro buss, and there
procured food for himself and the little
" Maine" and sought by inquiry among the
negroes, to find some clue to the parents Of
his little charge.


L" Bress de lor', msssa," said one gray
headed old negro, Il done know every body
desc twenty miles round, an dar amt no
sich little gal like dat ar TO wlar bout any
place. Spcck somebody rampin' long dc
road done lose her"


Jake" said Harry. pass the word
among all your friends and End this little
girls parents, and I'll see that you are well
paid for your trouble


CORY, now, Massa Harry said the
old negro, in an offended tone. " ole Jake
don't charge nufen for doing nafcu for Massn
Harry. III do all kin, but / don't speck
it'll be much nu.hcr"


= y y II


For wrek Harry remained at the negro
quarters, hunting day and night. and endcav
oring to while away the time as best he might,
while all the negroes for miles around were
cndeavoring to the best Of their ability. to
discover Maimc's parents.


Harry would have made the search himself,
but he well knew the gossipping negroes would
fnd out Il matter of that kind. if it was pos
sihle, in one half the time that he could.


But the week passed slowly by, and nothing
was brought to him to throw any light what
ever on Maime's pareutage. and Harry felt it
was useless to make any further attempts to
unravel the mystery. and. as Maine had now
recovered her health and spirits. and had
grown passonately fond Of him, he resolved
to commence at once his struggle in life, and
take with him his little charge. 1t would be
a weight upon him TO be sure, but then he
would have something to struggle for; some
aim in life; and he felt pleasant satisfaction
in thinking that any human being was wholly
dependent upon him.


Parting with the negroes, with all of whom
he was the beau ideal of all that ''youns
mass'r" should be, he entered the little vii
lage Of NJ, where he sold Ills watch, Oh
tanning sufficient amount of money to enable
him to reach Nashville.


Once in that city he cast about to find some
means of livelihood, and the singular sight of
a boy barely past his sixteenth with young
child dependent upon him. induced many to
inquire his history of him and one. Mr..
Evermore struck with his i,oble bearing. and
the kindly nature which led him to rescue the
little Maine, even when he did not know that
it was human being claiming his aid, re-
solved to assist the boy in his struggle in life.
and gave him cerksbip 10 the commission
house, with salary much larger than Hafy