Mary was there to assist. Was any one sick?- Mary was the first to think of the wild rose and honey suckle, and gather them into boquets for the sick chamber. In the village school, she was first in study, and first in play. A smile from Mary was sufficient compensation for any dif ficult juvenile undertaking, and a word from Mary would quell any youthful quarrel. No wonder was it, then, if the announcement that the village pet was lost in the woods, should awaken an interest more than usual. Mrs. A., the mother of the child, was a widow, in easy circumstances, who had retired to this quiet place some years before, and had blessed the village by her kindness and benevolence. Mary was her only child - her only earthly love. Sorrow and tears had been her lot for many dark years- every link was severed but this one, and the soul of the mother seemed only to have existence in her beautiful child.

Mary had risen bright and gay, early in the morninghad taken her basket and started off in the dark, dense, pine forest, to gather some whortleberries, with which the woods abounded. Failing to return by the breakfast hour, the usual time of her return upon such occasions, the mother went in search of her; but observing no trace of her child, she called a few of the neighbors and the search was renewed. This likewise proving ineffectual, the whole village, being informed of the fact, prepared to make a still more thorough examination of the woods and grounds

around the town. It was not unusual for children to stray away in the pines and be gone for hours; seldom, however, did they wander so far but they could easily be found: consequently no great apprehension was felt for the safety of Mary; no one had the least doubt but she would be found within a few miles of home, a little tired and hungry, and perhaps frightened. The fact that she was so great and general a favorite created a desire upon the part of all to aid in the search.

Rapidly they spread through the woods in every direction; hour after hour passed; the different parties returned unsuccessful, and as the night set in, the last party entered the village with sad hearts and weary steps, bringing no tidings of the child. Serious alarm for the safety of the little favorite now took the place of the sympathy that was at first manifested for the mother's tears. The whole night was spent in a more active search. The forest was lighted with numerous fires, and the pitch pine torches of the village gleamed in every direction for miles. It was a sleepless night to the lonely widow; such deep distress, such an entire prostration of hope, amounting almost to utter despair, I have never witnessed. It seemed as if now her cup of bitterness, which had been filling for years, was full to overflowing. Some kind females were with her, endeavoring to cheer her with words of consolation and hope. Many times would they fly to the door, imagining they had caught the exulting shout of the returning vil

lagers, but as often were compelled to return with disappointed hopes.

Morning at length dawned, and as beautiful a morning, too, as ever smiled upon sad hearts ; but not a single trace had been found of the lost child. The information had spread through the country, and the neighbors for miles flocked in, each ready to render assistance in renewing the search. They now prepared for a more systematic effort. The child had been gone but twenty-four hours, and was doubtless yet living, if no accident had befallen her; the impression was, that she had wandered into some thicket of the forest, and having lost her way, and being overcome with hunger and fatigue, had fallen asleep.

A line was formed consisting of several hundred men, placed about ten feet apart, stretching along the border of the forest for more than a mile. Thus arranged, they walked straight through the woods, turning not aside for any obstacle, searching narrowly every brush heap, peeping into every bush, examining every hollow tree, and entering every thicket; observing narrowly the white sand to perceive, if possible, her footprints - but in vain. Mile after mile was tracked in this manner, up and down, in every direction, until at least twenty or thirty miles square of the surrounding country had been thoroughly explored. The little streams were examined, -every spot had passed under close investigation.

Three days were spent in the search; all hope of finding