The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1880-10-28
9ar nonng Beadtrs.
THE BABY IN THE STORM.

THE BABY IN THE STORM :
"That story about the baby in the
storm? Oh yes, Pll tell you all about
it. See, there's the scar ON his dear
little forehead yet-he'n carry it all his
life, they say-but / shall never get
over being thankful he came out of it
so much better than l did, the dar-
ling" 9y&
And Janet glanced at her poor
crooked arm as she settled herself more
comfortably for long talk.
"This was the way it came about
Mother said to me one Saturday after
noon. Janet, am going over to the
village; / will take the little girls with
me, and want you to take good care of
Harry till / come back
..This arrangement did not suit me
at all. I had other plans for the after
noon, ard said, But, mother, l prom
ised Mary Hathaway would 60 down
there this afternoon. She is going to
show me new stitch for my embroid-
cry 4a... 5t
"sI don't like to interfere with you,
DEAR mother said, but it seems to me
you have been running there quite often
this week. and must have your help
now.' 81 sra
"This was true, but it made no diff
ference in the fact Of my wanting to go
again. gi
g Can't Bridget take care of himp'
said. = J-' .'' gag
emo, she has too much else to do ,
"'I hate being tied to babies all the
| time.' / snarled Il think we might
keep nurse as well as the Hathaways.
Mary never has to be bothered with the
| Young ones.' Mother looked at me
with look which begged for something
| better from me, but kept the scowl on
my face till saw them drive from the
gate. She said good-by to me with a
loving smile, which faded out, as
| would not return it. Even when saw
three hands waved to me as they turned
the corner, some ugly thing at my heart
kept my hand down, although half a
minute later l would have given any
thing for chance of answering moth
er's smile.
II carried baby out into the grove at
the back of the house, and dumped him
into the hammock. feeling cross and
miserable enough. He sat there COO
| ing and Growing and laughing in way
which would have put better temper
into any one but me. I sat on the
ground beside him. fussing away at my
embroidery, but could not get it right,
and got crosser and crosser. At last
Harry stretched over toward me, and
took rather rough grasp of one of my
ears and good handful of hair with it.
He did it to pull my face around for a
kiss, but as his pretty face came against
mine with little bump, 1 jumped up
and spoke sharply to him. I laid him
down with shake, saying. Go to sleep
now, you little tease
"He put up grieved lip, and sobbed
as swung him. 1t was about the time
of his afternoon nap, and he was asleep
in few minutes. t 35a
"Then tried my embroidery again,
but it was no use-I could not get the
right stitch without some help from
Mary. Then thought came across nv
mind why could ! not just run down
therep Baby would surely sleep for an
hour, and could easily be back within
that time. He could not possibly fall
out of the hammock, for there were
strings tied to some of the cords, which
could be fastened above him. thought
of telling Bridget was going, so She
would have an eye out. in case he
should awake, but knew she would be
grabbed about it, and feel as if 1 were
imposing OH her, even if he did not give
a single peep So I tied him in very
carefully gave another little sob as
1 kissed him, and was so sc-ry l had
been cross to him. In ten minutes more
was running in at Mrs. Hathaway's
gate. -.
Il had been going toward the north,
so did not notice that black, curl
ously shaped cloud, which lay low in the
south as left home, was rising very
fast. Mrs. Hathaway told me Mary was
out in an arbor back of the house.
so ran out there, and for little while
we were SO deep in the embroidery that
l forgot to notice how dark it was
getting. Then there was a flash of
lightningy-oh, how white and terrible
that lightning was! 1t came all about
us; we seemed wrapped up in it; and
such a burst of thunder as / never
heard before or since. 1t sounded
like a cannon-ball falling right at our
feet. .e,.....as...e.
AS soon as we cOuld move we flew
into the house. was wild with fright
as saw the, awful blackness in the
sky. Great drops of rain began to fall,
and peal after peal of thunder came,
as snatched my bonnet and rushed to
the door. Mary seized my arm and held
me back. She cried, You must not po.
storm
''Mrs. Hathaway came up to me.
too, and put her. arm around me.
why, Janet, you cannot go, my child.
1t might be at the risk of your life.'
=. g | think they almost meant to keen
me by force; but l screamed out, I
must go! l will! l will! and broke
away from them, and rushed out into
that binding storm. l couldn't think
OF anything except the poor baby had
left all alone. There was no one there
TO take care OF him, no one knew where
ne was, and in the noise of the storm
nobody could hear him scream.
IS The v~o II, v,aupoI Jc..,.