The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-12-02
TAKEN By SURPRISE.

A loud scream suddenly startled the
cars Of Mr.. Harlan, as he sat before his
eaeel, enthusiastically working upon a
painting. 1t came from the room Of
Els next door neigh Dor, and he drop
ped both palette and brushes as he
gave nervous start, and waited mo-
tionless for . repetition Of the cry.
MY poor, poor baby-iny darling
Coral" In an agonized shriek succeed
cd, and amid other frantic Calculations
was now heard tho sound Of a slam
med door, and feet hurrying down tho
staircase.
Mr.. Harlan was for q moment para.
lived with horror. What was he to
think? That charming gold-haired
child, who had served him as model,
and whose delightful prattle had Of
ton solaced him in his studio, must
have fallen from : window, four stor-
les from the ground. He rushed to his
own to look out, shuddering and hesi-
tant. He gazcd below him; his mind
was at once relieyed-no such specta-
clo - he had feared was visible. -. 7-z
Had he bcen dreaming? What could
have occasioned that mothers awfal
shriek7 His glance covered down tho
street. Ahl at the corner 10 . soom-
tnRly excited crowd. As he looks
there advances to it, pale and with
Alshsveled hair, his distracted neigh
Dor still crying: EFa
sMy darling littas bsby-my poor,
poor Corai'' --------------------
She received from some ono in the
gathering the limp figure Of child.
which sho covers with kisses and tears.
Then, her expression still despaising,
she stasgsrs With her burden towards
tho house. A street car, stationary,
little distance Oh, gives the artist .
Mint at tho truth. Has the little crea-
SURE boon run over by q careless
4hvsrf With . bound he reached his
door. and then himself tears down the
staircase. eager to plunge At once into
the depth Of the mishap, to know II
his anxiety 10 too great or too little.
He gains tho sidewalk, and, with face
avsrted from the mother, puts . rapid
Question TO . spectator
els the child killed3" hkE aa
II don't know l8H lAekl ~
Stili fearing 10 look upon what IL
now perhaps but . mangled mass Of
flesh and blood, he accosts another in
the crowd: tr .r...-..
IBID you 80 tho aecident9" -
"C-ean the child livc7''
~ don't think It's much hurt. AsI
turned, whom tho child screamed be-
hind me, saw it under the horses
feet, but they had stopped going, and
] instantly picked 1t up. Twas gave
It 70 the mother. ] believe it's moro
frightened than hurt One Of the
horses had his foot raised as fearing TO
set II down. Ha, hal 1 believe he was
afraid Of hurting tho little thing.
never believed horses had SO much
sense. -
From this garrulous speaker, Mr..
Harlan was now called, by catching
tho mothers eyc. She beckoncd to
him, and he at once advanced to her,
uttering words of coincidence and con-
stf4ts
won't you drop . postal card in
stantly to my husband?" exclaimed
she. "You know his office down town.
He will receive it before 6, and be pre-
vented from leaving for Boston to-
night" ..-..
Certainly. certainly! rll go for
him at once.'
mo, no-write! know he has i'm
portant business to-day. You might
not find him. l don't wish him to be
He'll certainly be in the
Office at 6, when he'll get the postal if
sent At once"
Mr.. Harlan drew from his breast
pocket bill-book, and thence q pos
tai card, on which he wrote nervously
3 few moments, when he hastened TO
drop IL in the box OH tho corner. The
mother, meanwhile, disappeared with
in the house, where an examination
proved that the intense excitement ex-
pericnced by the artist and others had
no cause for continuance. Tho child
was wholly uninjured, except rs to
the right foot, bruised probably by
being caught In the rails as sho fell.
Smiles and laughter succeeded and
when at 2 :36 that evening, Mr.. Har-
Ian opened his door in response to q
rap, and beheld MIR. Whittredge, the
father Of the child, there, was a broad
grin upon his face as he ex xtended his
hand. But the jOcose observation ON
his lips died, as his hand was refused,
md his visitor gazcd sternly upon
him.
Excuse me, sirl cannot shake
bands with you, and yet l thank you
Tor your postal-card."
"Well, sir, you simply amaze me.
Come, what do you n,eanf You must
be jokipgln y x sz.4 - 49, $50 4
iNot at all, Mr.-Heathcotel"
The artist started back, turned 40
white ~ his collar and q tremOr ran
through his frame.