Page:Memoir of Elizabeth Jones, A Little Indian Girl (1838).djvu/30

 28 gree of joyousness and elasticity of spirits, which the freshness of a clear atmosphere tends to inspire.

About noon, remarking how beautiful the day was, she asked if she might take her accustomed walk over the adjacent bridge, that being drier and smoother than any other place. Not suspecting any danger, after being properly equipped by her kind friend who had the care of her, she sallied forth with bounding spirits and a happy countenance. It is singular that on that morning she had talked much of her own dear mother, and expressed a wish that she was alive, as she wanted so much to see her. When asked, why? she replied, "Because I have heard she was very beautiful." Sweet child! who would then have supposed thy passage to glory was so short; that thy wish to have thy mother near thee was so soon to be fulfilled; that thou wast so soon literally to pass the river of death, and to be landed on the shores of immortality? But it was even so: the little Elizabeth returned not to her home at the expected time, and was sought for, but sought in vain. Inquiry was made at every house, but, alas! to no purpose. Night came on, and it was very dark and stormy; still the search continued, and long before day other kind friends went different roads towards the village, calling, "Eliza-