The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-01-31
ANNlE's JUMP.

day-nurscry door. ..She is playing
with her doll, and II once she begins
talking to that beloved Tottie know
she will not trouble me for an hour.
Ill just turn the key though, In case
she should take II into her head to
come and look for me. Where's cook?"
safe enough in her own room with
had headache"
So the two women went out Armies
parents were away for few days, and
nurse and Lucy (who were both new
servants) wanted to go to the village
fair. Mr.. and Mrs Carlisle would not
have left Annie alone with them II Il
had not been that cook would be there.
and rs she had been In the house ever
since Annie was born. they knew that
they could trust her to Look alter their
little girl.
Annie played happily enough in the
nursery b. herself. talking to Tottie As
II che understood everything she said.
Il wonder where nurse tsp she sad
presently. Not that we want her; do
we. my pet? We don't want her to
come in now. only it is SO hot, should
like the window open"
Now Annie's old nurse, who had
been with her for years and had only
lately left to be married, never allowed
the window to be opened ut the bottom
because there were no bars across. So
Annie Remembering this-climbed on
a chair. and tried TO put the window
down from the top.
This is a very awkward thing to do
when you arc standing iip-loe on .
chair which is not as near the window
as might be. You look rather like a
suspension bridge, and your heart goes
into your mouth when your fingers
slip. and sou knock your head against
the window frame.
That is just what Annie did, and for
q moment she wondered whether she
had smashed the glass or not Think
Ing that shc might not have such q for
tunate escape next time. the little girl
opened the window from the bottom.
perchcd Tottie on the window-sill. and
sat down to enjoy the lovely summer
evening.
..What il that. Tottie?' she exclaiam.
ed suddenly, rs soft click startled her
from her dreamy cozineas. 1t Was
really nurse locking tho door. but
OF course Annie never thought Of that
She looked about for few minutes. and
then she rested her head On cushion
still holding her precious doll. Il wa
not long, however. before Annie hai
taken up her old position on tho win
dow-silL
Perhaps Annie pushed against TOttie
perhaps Tottie overbalanced herself
neither of them ever knew; bnt the mex
instant Annie gave q scream. for poo
Tottie was tumbling down. down int<
the garden below.
Annie looked after her in helpless
fright for a moment; then, whel
she saw that her favorite had landes
in the middle of rose-bush, sine lef
the window. ran to the door, and calle'
out
IAN right, Tottie. I'll be down in
moment"
But, as you know. the door was lock
ed. Now. although Annie was. as
rule, very good child, she was by n
means perfect. When therefore sh
was locked in she began to kick at tn
door and shout for nurse.
OF course o one came. for there va
| no one in the house but the cook, VIII
was asleep in q top room Mt the front {
I. Q house, and not likely to hear whs
took place in the nursery. which was o
| the first floor at the back.
Quito exhausted by her efforts, Al
ME sat on the floor and cried. The
looking up she caught sight Of the car
d.es which etocd on the mantle-ptece.
Perhaps it l lighted a candle
could see II the key is in the lock. sh
said. If it isn't, perhaps ] can ope
the door with the cupboard key. Ir
member Madge did that once whe
/ cook locked us in for fun"
So the candle was lighted. and bel
10 the keyhole. Annie could aee notl
ing, SO she concluded that tn
key was not there, and putin
the candle on the floor went TO got tn
cupboard key. But, alas! she did nj
notice that there was large pictul
book, with loose leaves. lying on
chair, and that she had put the cand
inst under one of the leaves which wei
hanging over tho edge.
| All might have been we'll II Ann
had not remembered ToNie. She coul
not pass the window without saying
word OF comfort to the poor doll, who's
position was most trying.
I'm coming. darling. soon.' erie
the child, little thinking what trl
words she was speaking. only she W,
going in n very different way from VIII
! she meant
The CHEEKY words were followed by
terrible scream; for on turning towai
tho door, Annie beheld big blaz
One leaf II the picture book had fir
been scorched. then had caught fir
the rest followed; and to the little cir
locked In alone. it seemed as II Il
whole house werc burning.
Poor chi Id; she rushes from door
" ndow, from win dow to door, 80 IA
ming the tiames and making the
} spread. The chair is blazing now.
What can she do? In vain 81
screams, Mother. father, nurse" !
j. one can hear her. Then in despair 81
runs to the window, gets on the 81
and turning round with her feet dan
ling, wonders whether she dare let he
self drop. CHANGING behind she sees u
fire sprea ling; the smoke Is beil
drawn toward the open window, al
already makes her cough.