Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1886-06-17
ACTING QUICKLY.
The Presence of Mind by Which Katie
Saved the Baby.


Saved the Baby.
The Hudson family We're nearly
through breakfast when Katie, the It,
tie nurse girl, brought baby Daisy.
fresh and rosy, and placed her in her
high chair by mammals side. She tied
the bib securely, filed the silver mug
with milk, and brought from the
kitchen the dish of oat meal that baby
liked so well She fingered little to
hear what Mr. Hudson was saying
about Mr.. Shandley, who lived next
door to her mother. She knew he was
engineer on the night express that
often awoke her with its shrilI wills
tie. and when Mr.. Hudson called him
a brave man she felt pride in her ac-
Guaintance with Teddy and Mary
Shandley.
He saved scores of lives by his pres
ence of mind last night" she heard
Mr.. Hudson say, rs she fingered at the
door Il moment.
Il wonder what's presence of mind
thought Katie; lit must be something
grand TO nave"
When breakfast was over she went to
the sitting room to prepare Daisy for
her morning ride. Just as she entered
the room, George said: Mamma, papa
said the engineer showed great pres
ence of mind last nj ght. What is pres
erce Gf mind?'
Il can tell you replied Hal; Its
thinking quick, and acting in q hurry.
To illustrate, see your clothes Oh fire,
and l rush upon vou SO, and roll yoI III
a rug in this way" suiting the action
TO the word
"Sto-o-p.' shouted Georgia, strug-
Cling to escape, '':let me alone"
Not until every spark of fire is
out" replied Hal. as he rolled him
over again. In the rough play that
followed, George quite forgot the sub
iect in which he had for 4 moment
been interested, and Mrs. Hudson
found no opportunity to add TO Hal $
explanation. Katie heard Georges
question and Halls reply. She watched
the BOYS for Il moment in their noisy
frolic. and then fastened Daisy's plush
cloak under the dimplod chin, tied on
the delicate lace'cap, held up the rosy
face for mamma:s goodbye kiss. and
carried her little charge to the dainty
carriage ut the side door, thinking all
the time of the engineers presence of
mind. and of Halls definition.
Il know what 1T is, Daisy. she said,
as she tucked ill the scarlet afghan
that Grandma Hunt had made so beau
tiful with embroidery and fringe. Il
know what it is pet; it's just as Hal
saws, if l should see the house on fire
and should snatch you out of your
little cradle all rolled up in blanket.
smoke to Grandma Hunts house,
they'd say Kate Donahue had presence
of mind. I'd dc it, darlin'; don't yGgI
know I'd save nay precious little pet?''
Goo, COO, answered Daisy, as well
as she could, with two fingers in her
mouth.
Katie had naw reached the main
street and was 'trundling the car
riaSe scdately along, talking to baby
in the cheerful way that brought smiles
and dimpieS to the sweet face.
No. no. pet: yau muStn' { put grand
mas blanket in your little mouth. she
said. stopping the carriage 10 tuck it in
more securely 5 wild shout caused
her to look around. and for moment
her heart seemed TO stop its beating.
Only few rods asay, Il cow. broken
loose from its ownec. with 4 stout rope
dra gging ut her side. came plua~inw
with threatening horas directly towards
the precious baby. Katie had lived on
y farm and. knowing something of the
habits of animals. recognized al once
the point of attack. The red carriage
robe had caught the attention of the
excited animal. and the baby was under
the robe! As quick S. thought Katie
seized it. and, waving it above her
head. ran to the otherzide Of the street.
Only once she looked back and saw
that the course of the animal had
changed: then she heard the clatte' of
hoofs coming nearer. and knew that
ths spreading horns of the enraged
creature We're close behind her. She
could 20 no farther, and. throwing TIE
robe as far from her as possible. fesl
faintiag to the ground. Ibe ANNA,
caught i: Us it fell. trampled It with its
feet, tossed It high with its horns. tear
ing TIE pretty embroidery and staining
the delicate colors, but Katie did not
see it. Kind hands removed the fright
ened baby froH the carriage and c:r-
riea her home. but Katie was deaf to
Athe cry % her darling. The cow was
secured while engaged with the robe.
but Katie cav not the frantic efforts 10
escape, nor heard the angry natter
fngs. When at last she opened her
ewes i'm Mrs Hudsoa's room. her first
question was for Daisy. Safe and
sound,'' said Mrs. Hudson. bringing
the rosy face. still wet with tears, close
TO Katie own.
Where is the b.anket?n was the
next question.
.Neyer mind the carriasc-robe, dear
Child Said Mrs. Hudsoni ..bow could