Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1880-02-10
HOW JET SAVED THE BABY.

This summer we shall find no Jet at the
Highlands, and the place will hardly seem
the same without him. Last season there
came a dear little baby, of the third gen.
Grafton, TO the old house, and Jet took the
infant under his especial care from the
first. He would watch while it slept,
with untiring patience, jog the cradle if
it stirred, and call the nurse if it cried Or
needed attention. Nothing pleased him
more than to be left alone with the little
one, and, in the course of the summer, his
faithful care was rewarded BY responsive
affection. The baby learned to love him,
and would crow and COO to him every
morning with unmistakable delight, To
lie on blanket, under tree, or on the
piazza, and bury her chubby fists in his
silky coat, to Chamber over his shoulders,
to lead him along by the ear while riding
in her little carriage, to tyrannize over
him in a hundred pretty ways,-these
were the daily occupations Of which she
never tired. She learned to stand on her
feet and to take her first step by clinging
to his neck, and his name was the first
word she ever spoke 1t seemed As though
he could hear her piping voice as ifby
magic. If he was on the place at all,
whether within hearing or not, she had
only to call "Det, Det!' and presently
he would come bounding in
One evening, late in August, we were
all assembled, as usual after supper. on
the piazza and the lawn in front Of the
house, enjoying the long twilight. The
servants were down stairs, getting their
supper, and Jet was left alone with the
baby in the sitting which opens on
to the piazza by long windows. Baby
had gone to sleep in the dark, and Jet
was lying beside her cradle. It was a
very calm night; there was not breath
stirring, but the .fresh salt Of the sea
was in the air, and the heat of the day
| was done. The young folk were singing
softly together some gentle refrain, when
terrible shrek broke upon US, and the
| nurse-girl rushed out through the hall,
| her clothing in blaze, and the dame
streaming above her head. To roll her
ON the grass and smother the blaze with
our coats was the work Of an instant.
Then arose another cry. never TO be for
gotten by those who heard il: the agon-
lied prayer and lament Of mother for
ther child. The sitting room was full Of
FIRE. The girl had brought up lighted
lamp, after supper, and dropped it on the
floor as she entered the room. The cra-
die was in the corner Of the room farthest
from the door. Mr.. Warren dashed in at
| the window, and made one leap to the
cradle. He found Jet crouched upon it,
covering the baby with his body.
How they got out we could not com.
prehend. It was all over in the twink
ling Of an eye, and Mr.. Warren and the
dog were lying on the grass beside the
tmother, who was almost fainting, with
the baby safe and sound in her lap.
the little thing was nearly suffocated, but
recovered after few minutes in the open
air. and took no harm from the fire.
The sitting.nom was burned out, but
we succeeded in stopping the flames there
and saving the house. Mf. Wafren's
face and hands were badly burned, and
the nurss-girl was seri0uliy. bit noe dan.
gerously. injured, JET wsa severely
scogohed, bdt stses caring tx him e be.'
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