﻿62 PICTORIAL MISCELLANY. 



sky, when she awoke, and after allaying- her thirst from the river, 

 she looked around to find some berries for her breakfast. She soon 

 found enough to satisfy her hunger, and then, seating herself on the 

 trunk of a fallen tree, which projected over the river's bank, she 

 gave herself up to reflection. At length she determined to try once 

 more, if she could find the way to her home, and so she arose and 

 started in the direction which she thought would lead her there. 

 For many long hours she wandered on through the forest, and when 

 night approached she found herself, weary and exhausted, at the 

 place from which she had started in the morning, and despaired of 

 ever seeing her home again. 



It may seem strange that her courage should so soon forsake her 

 but it must be remembered that she was only seven years of age, 

 and had become very weary during the day. 



Evening soon came on, and Anna sought her shelter in the hol- 

 low tree, to rest, but not to sleep. For a long time she mused on 

 her situation. She thought of her parents and her happy home, 

 which was now rendered desolate by her absence, and tears filled her 

 dark blue eyes, as she reflected that she might never again behold 

 that loved retreat. She thought of the anguish which would rend her 

 fond parents' hearts, on her account, and she knew that they would 

 spend many wretched hours thinking of her. Thus she mused for 

 a long time, when at length she chanced to gaze upward, and be- 

 hold the scenes that there met her eyes. The silvery orb of night 

 shone with her pure and holy light, ever and anon darting behind the 

 vapory clouds, and then reappearing in view, as if her sight was too 

 pure and lovely a thing for earth. " The stars sparkled like dia- 

 monds in the blue vault of heaven," and the scene was one well 

 adapted to soothe and quiet the soul. The mild and lovely scene 

 shed a gentle and benign influence over the mind of our heroine, 

 and she soon fell asleep. Meanwhile we will leave her, and go to 

 see what has become of her parents. 



Mr. Hudson arrived at home on the same day that Anna was lost, 

 and her parents were much alarmed because she did not return 

 home. Her father, with two or three of his neighbors, procured 

 lanterns, and searched for her until nearly midnight, but could dis- 

 cover no traces of her They then returned home very much ex- 



