The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-09-24


next three days Hugh Carson was on
gagged i'll painting q picturesque old farm
house lying far back on the hill. The
subject was a good one, and he set to to
produce IA finished picture on the spot,
and worked ut 1t from early morning, as
long rs the light lasted, making his
breakfast and lunch of milk, bread and
cheese obtained ut the farmhouse. Upon
the third evening he was returning from
his work, walking along the edge of the
hill, looking down upon the sea, when
he came upon the little girl, lying upon
the ground, crying bitterly.
why, little one, what Is the mat
ter?"
The child, who had not heard him APP
proaching, leaped to her feet, and upon
seeing who it was, look of pleasure
flashed across her tear-stained face.
"Oh, sir; please do help me! Cous-
in Amy has tumbled down the hill"
"Good gracious. child, where has she
fallen?" Hugh said in horror; for the
spot where they stood was above one of
the st,epest slopes between yarmouth
and Harlech
"Down there, sir; she was picking n
u u
Mt her, hut can see her"
And the child led the young artist toa
point further on, where the plateau pro-
iected, and the face of the hill whore Amy
had fallen was visible.
The slope where she had slipped was
very steep, but became even sleeper
lower down. Then rocky ledge pro-
jcctcd, and below it an abrupt precipice
some fifty feet high Amy Herbert lny
on the ledge. She had rolled down Oh
to it, and had evidently struck her head,
for she WIS insensible. This ledge was
some three feet wide; and, from the
position i'll which the girl lay, it was
probable that, ut the first movement
made rs she came to, she would roll over
the edge.
IAN right, little one; don't cry; l will
get to cousin Amy. She has hurt her.
self; but dare say she will be MI right
when get to her." -.
Hugh spoke cheerfully, but he was by
no means sure that the girl was not
killed. He looked closely ut the grassy
slope. 1t was easy enough to slide
down; but once down, there was no get
ting up again. He was fully mile and
half from town; but he dared not run
for aid, for if the girl partially recovered
she might be dashed to pieces before his
return. 1t vas evident that he must
slide down to her. But the child
puzzled him, He was afraid to send
her to the village by herself, afraid to
leave her alone on the top; besides, ii
they were to stop on that ledge till help
came, it would be much more pleasant
with the child there, both for Amy and
himself.
Look here, Pussy" he said, after a
minutes thought, twill you be good
quiet little girl if take you with me
down TO cousin Amy?"
The child nodded seriously.
Here goes, them" he said; "now
you take hold of my hand very tight, and
we will go down as far as we can; then
well lie down on the grass, you put
your arms round my neck, and we will
slide down.
So it wits done, not without danger;
but Hugh was strong and steady; and
lying on his face, with one arm round
the child, he held on to the tufts of e. IS,
and let himself slide as gently rs he
could Still his heart beat fast fer nm
instant when, on reaching til" stcepest
point of the slope, they slip. I down
with rush the last fifteen feet to the
ledge where Amy lay, half over the
brink Of the sheer fall below.
"Now, Pussy, You sit down quite
| quiet while | see to cousin Amy"
Very anxiously the young artist lifted
the girls head from the grass. There
was q little pool of blood below (which
had flowed from n wound just above the
ear. He put his finger to her wrist. and,
after a minute of anxious suspense, he
felt very faint Pickering pulse.
"rhank God y he murmured devoutly.
Then he took out whisky flask, and
poured few drops between the clenched
! teeth. Again and again he did this, the
child all the time sitting perfectly quiet,
ahd watching with frightened eyes.
Presently the girl sighed falntly.
Take hold Of cousin Amy's hand, I"
Hugh said, and when you see her open
to lie still: put your face close to hers,
so that she may see you when she opens
her eyes,"
Hugh was sitting on the ground sup
porting the girl, whose head rested on
his shoulder. Presently there was IL
movement Of the cyelids, and then slowly
and lanquidly the eyes opened.
"There, cousin Amy, you are better
now. Lie quite quiet. You have hurt
yourself, and must be very good"
The eyes expressed recognition and n
faint wonder, and then closed again.
Hugh waited little, and then poured n
few more drops Of whisky between her
lips. This time the effect was more de-
cided. She moved, shook her head, and
tried to avoid the mouth of the flask.
Then she looked up again.
"What is it?" she said family.
what are you doing? Where am /? :"
"You must he quiet and good," the
child said positively. You must not
move, the gentleman says So"
This time the speech was vaguely un-
derstood, for she looked beyond the
child's face to that of Hugh; closed Ter
eyes again. rs if she doubted them; look
cd again, and then made IN effort to
raise her head. Then Hugh spoke, gent
ly but decidedly.
MY dear young lady, you must lie
quite quiet. You have fallen down and
hurt yourself, and you are faint and
weak. You are quite safe where You
are, but you cannot move, for we are on
the side of the hill, and must wait till
help comes. Your cousin is here with
you. Kiss her, Pussy"
Amy listened in sort Of confused
wonder. She did not understand in the
least, except that she was told to be
quiet in firm authoritative tones, such ms
had not been addressed to her since she
wis a child. The warm kiss of her little
cousin seemed to assure her that all was
safe and right, and was soon breathing
quietly, Then the child turned to Hugh.
"Amy's gone tosleep. My name isn't
Pussy, but Ida-Ida Herbert"
"All right, Ida. I'll call you so in
future. Now, Ida, when you stand up,
can you sec the road down below there 2
"Just see it, the child said; "but il
is getting dark. When are We going
hOme?"
81 am afraid VIC are not going home
tonight, Ida. Certainly not unless sople
one comes along that road, and there il
not much chance Of that"
"Where are VIC to sleep ?" Ida asked,
in surprise.
"Wo must sleep inst where We are.
Cousin Amy will sleep here, ana you
shall curl up close~to me and lay youi
head against M on the other side, and
don't think you'll be cold"
"But l want supper before / go 70
bed"
"Ah, you can't have supper tonight,
Ida; but il will he great fun, you know,
sleeping out here for lit, and expect
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