The morning call., 1893-04-16

afternoon, and her mother laid her down on
one of those swinging chairs that you can
use as a bed if you want to. The child
wanted 10 stay cut in tha yard. so her
mother pulled the chair under an evergreen
tree and the little one was soon sound
asleep.
1t was most peaceful day, and there was
not the least suggestion that such thing as
danger was near. A soft wind gently
moved the branches that were beginning TO
show signs Of leating out and the few in
sects that had come to life in
the warm sunshine hummed lazily.
The barnyard fowls stretched themselves as
if they had just enjoyed good nap. There
was not a sound TO be heard, except the
clucking of some industrious biddy calling
her brood OF little fluffy balls and the
morose voice OF the plowman, far out in the
field, urging his team along.
There was nobody at home. except Mrs.
Edwards and the baby, but the mother did
not feel any fear, because she had often
been left that way when her husband went
10 town.
SO it was this afternoon, and the mother
sat beside her sleeping child for long time
and then remembered she had duties to
perform in the house. She left baby sleep
ing peacefully and went about her work
cheerfuuy, coming to the door every few
minutes 10 see that all was well, although
she did not have the least fear that anything
would happen to disturb the child.
but All lllo llllle u ldiBe WllucdL Deen
crawling near to the sleeping child. 1t
sneaked along the back Of the barn so as
not 10 disturb the chickens, and then got
behind the lower boards of the fence, and
each moment got nearer to It's prey.
1t would stop every few minutes and look
over the board TO see when the mother came
to the door, and would then crouch down
uut OF sight.
Nearer aud nearer the beast came and
still baby slept on. At last 1t was only
-,
to where II could be seen 3ad any one been
looking. 1t was sure of its prey and curIed
its tail as If thrilled with satisfaction. 1t
looked around cautiously and Its clnel eyes
glitIered fiendishly
The beast was ready 10 make the spring,
but seemed to have knowledge that it was
doing wrong. Slowly it crept forward and
when it reached the side Of the sleeping
child stood still moment and looked
at IT, II opened its mouth and curled
its tongue over its jaws as If impatient to
get them into the soft pink creature be-
fore it.
1t may have been the sound OF this. and it
may have been the beasts breath, but baby
awoke aud opened her big blue eyes, and
looked into the cruel yellow ones above
her.
The little thing was not frightened, as she
did not know there was anything to be
frightened at in this world. What came
over the beast in those few III moments will
never be known, but 1t did not jump on the
baby and tear II to pieces. as might have
been expected. Instead it looked ct the
little one and stopped licking its chops.
Baby thought it was very pretty and put
out its hand and patted it on the head, at
the same time iisping, Pussy, pretty
pussy"
In some mysterious manner this had
peculiar effect on the wildcat. for the crea-
ture sat down quietly, while baby got out
of her bed and came and sat down beside 10,
The child thought it had found a splendid
playmate and was soon cuddliDg up close TO
the wicked beast.
The animal liked 1t and began licking
baby's face. The child was filed with Joy
and commenced to play. Very soon both
were rolling over and over on the ground,
having a splendid time. The wildcat
seemed 10 enjoy the sport and both were
perfectly happy.
The child erowed. laughed and shrIeked
with happiness, and soon attracted its
mothers attention. She came 10 the door
and took in the situation at a glance, but
did not stop to think of what was bast to
do. She saw the child was not being hurt
but did not know how soon 1t would be, so
she rushed out TO pick II up and carry 1t
into the house.
But the wildcat objected to this and
stood in front of tho baby. while the latter
was playfuly pulling lis tail. But Mrs.
Edwards rushed on, determined to have
her child. When she got close the beast
mistook her intention, thinking she would
attack him, and jumped for her throat, but
missed it and buried Its teeth and claws in
her shoulder.
Baby thought it was fun, and laughed
louder aud louder.
The pain and flowing blood caused the
mother 10 fall 10 the ground and then the
wild cat returned to continue Its romp with
the child.
1t was all the woman could do to crawl
Into the house for the purpose OF getting a
gun which she should have had in the first
place, but when she arrived there found
she could not reach the place where it was
hanging and was too weak 10 get ON a chair.
There was no use in thinking of the gun
question so she took large butcher-knife,
intending to fight the beast TO the death,
When she got outside again and saw the
would call the child and then wondered
why she had not done IL in the first place
and saved herself the wounds. But baby
was having too good q time and wouldn't
come. The mother called and begged, and
told it what terrible beast it was that she
was playing with, but the child couldn't
understand and called its mother TO come
and take part in the fun.
Once or twice the mother went near, but
the beast as always ready and tho woman's
nerve felt shnkey. She knew that il she
only wounded the beast it would kill her
and then the child would be doomed sure.
After mature consideration she concluded
to sit near by and not make an attac unless
the beast started to iujnre the child. Her
wounds were bleeding freely and she was
getting weaker every moment; stlll she sat
there ready to fight the moment the Wild