a voice on high , like that of a muezzin from the summit of a mosque , announcing that some chimney-sweeper has emerged from smoke and soot and darksome caverns into the upper air . What cares the world for that ? But , well-a-day , we hear a shrill voice of affliction -- the scream of a little child , rising louder with every repetition of that smart , sharp , slapping sound produced by an open hand on tender flesh . Annie sympathizes , though without experience of such direful woe . Lo ! the town-crier again , with some new secret for the public ear . Will he tell us of an auction , or of a lost pocket-book or a show of beautiful wax figures , or of some monstrous beast more horrible than any in the caravan ? I guess the latter . See how he uplifts the bell in his right hand and shakes it slowly at first , then with a hurried motion , till the clapper seems to strike both sides at once , and the sounds are scattered forth in quick succession far and near . Ding-dong ! Ding-dong ! Ding-dong ! Now he raises his clear loud voice above all the din of the town . It drowns the buzzing talk of many tongues and draws each man 's mind from his own business ; it rolls up and down the echoing street , and ascends to the hushed chamber of the sick , and penetrates downward to the cellar kitchen where the hot cook turns from the fire to listen . Who of all that address the public ear , whether in church or court-house or hall of state , has such an attentive audience as the town-crier ! What saith the people 's orator ? `` Strayed from her home , a LITTLE GIRL of five years old , in a blue silk frock and white pantalets , with brown curling hair and hazel eyes . Whoever will bring her back to her afflicted mother -- '' Stop , stop , town-crier ! The lost is found . -- Oh , my pretty Annie , we forgot to tell your mother of our ramble , and she is in despair and has sent the town-crier to bellow up and down the streets , affrighting old and young , for the loss of a little girl who has not once let go my hand ?
Well , let us hasten homeward ; and as we go forget not to thank Heaven , my Annie , that after wandering a little way into the world you may return at the XXXXX summons with an untainted and unwearied heart , and be a happy child again .
Annie Ding-dong chimney-sweeper clapper court-house fire first old pantalets town-crier