La Junta tribune. (La Junta, Bent County, Colo.) 1881-1939, 1898-10-08
The Rescue of the Kittens.


engine house," said :
"All right" answered Dora.
IN come too, said Jamie.
Let me come with you" cried
Jack.
I'm afraid It's rather dirty for your
slippers" l answered. doubtfully.
IN carry him across said Dora
she was the biggest.
1t was Sunday, SO we did not race
round the buildings TO the engine
house, as we should have done on
week day. We walked sedately round,
Jack in Dora's arms
When We got to the engine-house she
set him down.
Now. take care you don't go near
the engine. and black your pinafore!"
she said.
Then we began to call. kitty! Kit
ty! Puss, Puss!" hunting in the cor
ners for the kittens, who were wild
little things and liked hiding behind
anything. The engne-house had a
warm, oily smell, and the floor was
so black II was difficult to hunt for
the kittens and not mess our Sunday
dresses. We looked in every hiding
place, but found nothing. Then we
stood still and listened.
faint new came through the door
that led into the chaff-house. In the
chnff-house was well from which the
engine drank.
They're In the chaff-house" cried
Dora. and began hurting behind some
bags of chan.
Listen again." sail Jamie.
We listened and heard faint news
from the corner where the well was.
They've tumkled into the we'll and
are drowning!" cried i.
We rushed to the corner and lis
tened.
Yes, there were cries Of distress
coming up from the we'll
They're in there right enough" :"
said Jamie.
Listen! They're getting fainter!
They will be drowned" cried |. Cant
we do anything"
We hung over the well. 1t was COW
cred with an arrangement like large
box. with lid on the top. We opened
this and the news sounded louder.
Couldn't we tie up big bundle
of straw and let it DOWN. suggested.
Perhaps they'll cling to it and let us
draw them up
mo, that wouldn't be OF any use---
you'd only drown them faster,' said
Jamie.
Then he listened again, and added:
II don't believe they're in the water
at all. / believe they've dropped down
on to the first stage"
We'll" said Dora, couldn't we get
them up from there? Let's drop a
basket down, with string tied to 1t.
and see If they'll get into it,
jamie and l ran off, and soon came
back with basket and ball of strong
string
had only just escaped Mrs. Jones'
she was our cook-who saw me going
out with the basket. and called out to
know what / wanted with it, but ]
was gone before she could stop me,
We tied the string to the basket
and let 1t down into the darkness.
Presently we felt 1t sop, and the new
ing ceased.
We waited a few minutes, and then
drew 1t up again. but it was empty.
We looked blankly at each other.
Cant we get someone to go down
with a ladder?"' said 1.
"On a Sunday" returned Jamie
You wouldn't casoh any OF the men
going down in their Sunday clothes
and besides. they'd have to pump all
the bad air out first"
'Is there bad air down there?" ask
ed Jack. .Will 1t hurt the kittens?'
But no one took any notice of him
We stood round the well helplessly
listening to the news that had re-
commenced.
Then we heard a little splash. and
stified. far-off cries.
"Oh, dear! There's one fallen righ,
down! We must do something!" !
cried
Il don't know wha. We can do" said
Dora; get a candle and put 1t in the
basket alight. to let them see what II
is. Then draw 1t mp. and let 1t down
again without the candle, and per-
haps they'll get into It,"
was on like shot--through the
stables. 30 as not to be seen from the
house. Then as quietly as possible
through the gate. without a click oi
the latch. Softly across the bricks, q
moments breathless listening at ths
back door. That was Mrs. Jonee' step
carrying the best dinner service up te
the pantry cupboard. The pantry dool
was just opposite the scullery door
whore the kitchen candiestick stood
r..s 80 1yo,yd haze has hant q. a. Asr