The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1898-10-06
The Rescue of the kittens.

The Rescue of the Kittens.
Let's go and see the kittens in the
engine housed" said I.
All right, answered Dora, =.
II come too, said jamie.
Let me come with you'll cried
Jack.
I'm m afraid it's rather dirty for your
slippers, l answered, doubtfully.
II carry him across said Dora
she was the biggest. ., -. ...#..= !
It was Sunday, so We did not race
round the buildings to the engine
mouse, 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.
linen we began to call, kitty! Kit
W! Fuss, Puss!" hunting in the cor
ners Tor the kittens, who were wild
little things and liked hiding behind
anything. The engine house had a
warm, oily smell, = and the floor was
SO Dlack It 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.
A faint new came through the door
that led into the chaff-house. In the
chaH-house was well from which the
engine drank. 49,
They're in the chaff-house!' cried
Dora, and began hunting behind some
bags of chaff.
Listen again. said Jamie. s@s5 y.
We listened and heard faint news
from the corner where the well was.
They've tumbled into the well and
are droWning!" cried I.
We rushed to the corner and lis
tened Z sa7t5
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 I, tsCan,t
we do anything?' '
We hung over the well. It was Gov
cred with an arrangement like a large
box, with a lid on the top. We opened
this and the news sounded louder.
Couldn't we tie up a big bundle
/ OF straw and let it down?' suggested,
Perhaps they II cling to it and let us
draw them up
No, that wouldn't be of anv nse-,
you'd only drown them faster said
jamie. So
"Then he listened again, and added:
Il don't believe they're in the water
at all. believe they've dropped down
on to the first STAGE
Well, said Dora, "couldn't we get
them up from there? Let's drop a
basket down, with string tied to it,
and see if they'll get into it,
Jamie and ran off, and soon came
back with basket and ball Of strong
string.
n ! had only just escaped Mrs. Jones'
she was our cook-who saw me going
out with the basket, and called out to
know what I wanted with it, but |
was gone before she could stop me.
We tied the string to the basket
and let it down into the darkness.
Presently we felt it stop, and the new
ing ceased.
We waited few minutes, and then
drew it up again, but it was empty.
We looked blankly at each other
Cant we get someone to 20 down
with a ladder?" said I.
ION a Sunday!'' returned Jamie.
You wouldn't catch any of the men
going down in their Sunday clothes.
and besides, they'd have to pump all
the bad air out first
us there bad air down there?', ask
ed Jack. Will it 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 little splash. and
>stiaed, far-oH cries.
Oh, dear! There's one fallen right
down! We must do, something!" I
cried. n.
81 don't know what we can do, . said
Dora: get a candle and put 1t in the
basket alight, to let them see what it
is. Then draw it up, and let it down
again without the candle, and per-
haps they'll get into it,
I was off like a shot through the
stables. SO as not to be seen from the
house. Then as quietly as possible
through the gate, without a click of
the latch. Softly across the bricks. q
moments breathless listening at the
back door. That was Mrs. Jones step
carrying the best dinner service up to
the pantry cupboard. The pantry door
was just opposite the scullery door
where the kitchen candlestick stood.
4 but she would have her back to It TIL