The Press., 1889-06-06
HOW pAPA,s HEAD WAS CUT.

HOW PAPA'S HEAD WAS CUT. I saw her little round face at the window as drew near the house. Her nose wa pressed against the pane and her chubby cheeks glowed redily like an apple flushed with ripeness. A dancing light came int her eyes when she saw me and smile Ii up her face that made the dimples deeper Then she tried to kiss me through tn, window, and slapped the jealous glas with her fat hand when she found that i was crystal barrier between us.
 Look out for the bandage? Oh, yes had forgotten it, Doctor. That was nasty rap, wasn't 1t? Oh, about the baby. Jus IA months old yesterday. Come here, yor
 little witch, and see your pop! Now kisl the doctor, too. Her lips are as red anG soft as the petals of Jack rose. No, no Bessie; you mustn't pull the doctors watel out of his pocket. That's naughty. Nov sit still on the doctors knee while tel him how your papa cut his head.
 When came into the house we had { romp, as usual. sat her on my shoulder and we played horse. No, no, baby don't pull that pin out of the doctors scarf He'll put you on the floor if you don't stopl Then we had tea, and she up set the sugar bowl and cut her thumb with the table knife. It isn't we'll yet. is it. ba by? Never mind it will heal in a few days.
 | After tea the child's mother went out te make call, and the baby and were lef, alone. ! showed her the picture books, and in every cut of face she saw her pa. pa, and every animal was alluded to as g "kittie." Her blue eyes opened wide with wonder when initiated the quacking of a duck and the barking of dog. Then she got tired and slid off my lap and went toddling over the floor to the door, which had been left ajar by her mother. By the time reached the hall she was half way up the stairs leading to the second floor. and gleeful, ripping laugh was bubbhng over her lips at her escape. When pick ed her up she set up howl of dismay. and so l put her down upon the stairs again, and got below her on the stairway. so that if she fell could catch her.
 This went on for 8 few minutes. and then she toddled off to explore the mvs. teries in the parlor hallway. The gas was burning brightly, and she amused herself with the hat rack and dragged the un- brellas around until this fun palled upon her taste.
 When you get tired of holding her, doe tor, just put her on the floor. You'd bet ter be careful. She'll break that gold pen Gil case!
 At last she saw another flight of stairs leading to the third story. We played hide and seek through the banisters, and she was as happy as kitten with a ball of yarn. We had reached the top of the stairs, and was about to carry her down so that she could climb up again. when there came knock at the area door. The baby listened and said "Hark P in that quaint way she has. Just listen, Doctor, she's initiating me.
 Thinking that I would be up again in less than minute, hastily opened the door or the front room, noticed the gas was burning, and left the baby in the room. When reached the basement door found boy there who had brought some gro cerles which my wife had bought after she lett the house. I listened at the foot of the stairs, and hearing no sound, assum- ed that the child was all right. That was one ot the biggest mistakes ever made. The boy was slow in his movements. and 1t was fully three minutes before he had taken all the groceries from his basket. I went to the door to look it after him. when l was startled by the boy running back and saying: ~ "Is that your baby, sir?'
 Tn the meantime we had both stepped into the front yard. The boy pointed up ward, and there, standing on the window sl!l, with her hands clasping the bottom or tne sash just above her corn-silk hair. stood that child on your knee.
 Shes getting troublesome, Doctor. I'm alrald. You'd better put her down. No? A. rlgnt, then. The street lamp cast a bright glow of light into the yard, and, as sue leaned outWard-just think of it, Doc. Gr !-leaned outward and looked down, sne ,, saw me and laughed out ''Pa-pa, pa- gerlng on the syllables. :" It was as if I had been strnck with apoplexy, Doctor. The street. the build- lngs, the baby and the grocer's boy all swan before my eyes like misty. nnreaI I things. Then my vision cleared al,a' ara;n and l stepped quickly under the window and raised my hands toward the baby.
 I'm not praying man, Doctor that ia hadn't been up till this time. Bnt tnlnk those two words of entreaty which snot rom behind my clenched teeth must nave struck the gate of heaven like min. me ball. As calmly as could | said to the grocer boy: v kun up stairs and catch her. I'll stand here m case she falls p All the while my little one stood there in the window, laughing and calling her na- pa. tried to chirrup to her. bnt inc words died in my throat. I can see her now, when l close my eyes, outlined against the light in the room behind her. with a smile sa upon her lips, and when I think of II there comes that icy coldness about my. heart that l felt that night.
 1t seemed an age before I heard that olunder1ng boy founder into the room with crash that startled the baby, She gave one frightened glance over her shoulder. let go her hold upon the sash. and fell The thoughts of it make my muscles hard. en and my pulses thrill at this moment. Doctor. braced myself. and-and2 caught her. Then I fell senseless npon the pavement. 'Po-'
 l think must have struck the fence with my head, and that's how eot that wound; We'll, when came to my senses l was lying on the lounge, with my wife crying over me and that little rascal o,,. your Knee tugging at my hand and saving !
 Fa.pa, dit up an play wifi baby i'' F. HuFGI Not 8 hair of hos r.,l.So.. l. .