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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 1, Issue 24, 22 November 1849, Page 4

The Lost Child Found. —A few years since, in the United States of America a child was lost in the woods; the darkness of night was rapidly coming on, and the alarmed father gathering a few of his neighbours, hastened in search of the lost child. The search continued in vain till 9 o'clock in the evening, when the bell rung the alarm, and tho cry of fire resounded throughout tho streets. It was, however, ascertained that it was not fire which caused the alarm, hut that tho bell tolled to spread the more solemn tidings of a child lost. Every heart sympathised in the sorrows of the istracted parents ; and multitudes of the people were soon seen ascending the hill upon the declivity of which the village was situated, to aid in tho search. The night passed, away and the morning dawned, and yet no tidings came. The sun arose—tho whole landscape glittered in the rays of the morning, but the village was deserted and slill; the shops were closed, and business was hushed. Mothers were walking the streets, with sympathising countenances and anxious hearts—what had become of the lost child. About nine in the morning the signal-gun wai fired, which announced that tho child was found; tnd, for a moment, how dreadful was the suspense—was it found a mangled corpse, or was it alive and well? Soon a joyful shout proclaimed the safety of the child. A procession was immediately formed by those engaged in the search. The child was placed upon a litter, hastily constructed from houghs of trees, and borne in tiiumph at the head of the procession. When they arrived at tho brow of the hill they rested for a moment, and proclaimed their success with three lould and animated cheers. The mother, with streaming eyes and throbbing heart, could no longer restrain herself or her feelings. She rushed into the street — clasped her child to her bosom and wept aloud. Every eye was suffused with tears, and for a moment all was silent. But suddenly some one gave a signal for a shout—one long, and loud, and happy note of joy arose from the assembled multitude, and then they dispersed to their bminesa and their homes.