The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-10-07
KATIE'O BRAVERY.

The Hudson family had nearly finished
breakfast when Katie, the little nurseglrl,
brought Baby Daisy. fresh and rosy, and
placed her in her high chair by mamma
side
she tied the bib securely. filed the silver
mug with milk, and brought from the
kitchen the dish Of oatmeal that baby liked
so we'll
She fingered little to hear what Mr.. Hud-
son was saying about Mr.. Shandley, who
lived next door TO her mother.
She knew he was driver on the night
express that often awoke her with its shrll
whistle, and when Mr.. Hudson called him
brave man she felt pride In her acquaint-
ance with Teddy and Mary STANDBY.
He saved scores Of lives by his presence
Of mind last night, she EeaTd MI duusou
say. as she fingered at the door moment.
II wonder what's presence OF mind,
thought Kate; ''it must Dc something grand
TO have.
When breakfast was over she went to the
sitting-room to prepare Daisy Tor her morn
ing ride.
just as she entered the tOOm 0eOTEIe
"Mamma. papa said the driver showed
great presence Of mind last night. What is
presence Of mind ,"
Il can tell you," replied Harry; tits
tllnkiHE QUICK anu dCktUh III u AuEl v
Illustrate: | see your clothes on nTe ana
rush upon you So and roll you in rug IN
this wayP'-suting the action to the word.
''Sto-o-pv cried George, struggling toes
cape. LET ME alone!
''NOt until every spark OF the fire is ont"
replied Harry. SIS he rolled him over again.
In the rough play that followed, George
quite forgot the subject IN which be- had Tor
a moment been interested, and Mrs. hud-
son found 40 opportunity to add to Harry's
explanation.
Katie heard GsOrgie's question and Harry's
reply. She watched the boys for moment
in their noisy frOlic, and then fastened
Daisy's plush cloak under the dimpled chin,
tied on the delicate lace cap, held uD the
rosy face for mamma's good-by kiss, and
carried her little charge 10 the dainty car
rage at the side door, thinking ali the time
Of the drivers presence Of mind and OF
HarTy's definition.
Il know what it is, Daisy" she said, as
she tucked in the scarlet Afghan that Grand
ma Hunt had made so beautiful with en-
broidery and fringe; Il know what II IS,
pet. II is Just as Harry sayS-lt l should
see the house on fire and should snatch you
out IF your little cradle all rolled up in a
blanket and run through the FIRE and smoke
10 Grandma Hunts house tbey's say Katie
Duncan had presence Of mind I'd do il,
darlin'. Don't you know I'd save my
precious little pet?"
"CoO, co.," answered Daisy, as well as she
could with Two fingers in her mouth.
Katie had now reached the principal
street. and was trundling The carriage Sc
dately along, talking to the baby in the
cheerful way that brought smiles and
dImpes 10 the sweet face.
No, DO, pet; you mustn't put grandma's
blank et IN your little mouth, she said,
stopping the carriage to tuck il in more
securely.
A wild shout caused her 10 look around,
fgr ma haF boark GnnmaA m StOO
its beating. Only a short distance away
COW, broken loose from its owner, with
stout rope dragging at her side, came plung-
ing with threatening horns directed toward
tie precious baby. Katie had lived on
farm, and. knowing the habits of animals,
recognized at once the Point of attack. The
red caITiage-robe had caught the attention
of the excited animal, AID the baby was
under the robe.
As quick as thought Katie seized it. and
waving it above her head, ran TO the other
side Of the street. Only once she looked
back, and saw that the course Of the animal
had changed; then she heard the clatter Of
boofs coming nearer, and knew that the
spreading horns OF the enraged creature
were close behind her. She could go no
further, and. throwing the robe as far from
her as possible, fell fainting 10 the ground.
The animal caught It as it fell, trampled
Ii with its feet, tossed ii high with its horns,
tearing the pretty embroidery and staining
the delicate colors; but Katie did not see 1t.
Kind hands removed the frightened baby
from the carriage and carried her home,
but Katie was deaf to the cry OF her dar-
ling. The COW was secured while engaged
with the robe, but Katie saw not the frantic
efforts TO escape, nor heard the angry NUT
teriag. When at last she opened her eyes
in Mrs. Hudson'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's own.
"Where is the blanket?" was the next
eager question.
Never mind the carriage-rug. dear child"
said Mrs. Hudson. "How could you think
TO do such brave thing" she asked, as she
pressed the baby closer.
Harry said, Think quick and act In
hurry. replied Katie, family; "but
hadn't time to think"
Hadn't time TO thinkP" repeated Mrs.
Hudson. The wisest head in the world
could not have done better. saw it ali,
Katie. How can THANK you for saving my
baby?"
And, with food Of tears, Mrs. Hudson
tendery kissed the pale face OF the nurse
girl
'Hurrah for Katiew shouted Harry, who
until now had stood regarding her with pro-
found astonishment. "a boy couldn't
have done better; but you are indebted to
me Ior an idea. aren't you? The masculine
mind is the original after all"
George, Katie has answered Your oues-
tioD, said Mrs. Hudson, and when she pic
tured the consequences that would have fol-
lowed different course Of action on KatIe's
part George had NJ difficulty in understand
ing the desirableness OF cultiyating habits
OF decision and promptness that, brought
Into exercise, people are wont 10 call pres
ence Of mind.