And hark ! 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 pocketbook , 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 . O , 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 , afrighting 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 , XXXXX , after wandering a little way into the world , you may return at the first summons , with an untainted and unwearied heart , and be a happy child again .
by for from into of on that till to with