Evening journal., 1899-10-12
CHILD ATTACKED BY RAT
NEARLY OVERCOME WHEN RES
cUED BY PARENTS.

sEvEN-YEAR-oLD KITTY sHAUGH-
MESSY BITTEN MORE THAN A
HUNDRED TIMES AS SHE LAY IN
BED-AFRAID TO CALL FOR
HELP FOR FEAR 1T WOULD AT
TACK HER YOUNGER SISTER.
How dangerous an animal the COM
mon house rat may be, even individ-
ually, is shown in the case OF 7-year-old
Kitty Shaughnessy, OF No. 105 Cler-
mont avenue, Brooklyn, who is Just re-
covering from an attack made by one.
Of these rodents which almost chused
her death. Her parents, Mr. and Mrs.
John Shaughnessy live on the top floor
Of the house. Kitty, with her sister,
Annie, who is years old sleeps in a
small bedroom of the kitchen in the
rear Of the house SO far as is known
there have never before been any rats
or mfce in the room, and Mrs. Shaugh-
messy says that in the three years Of
her residence there she has never seen
one in the house.
On the night OF October q
AIR and Mrs. Shaughnessy had
gone to bed about 10 O'Clock. The chill
dren had been asleep for two hours. At
midnight Mr. Shaughnessy was awak-
ened by cries for help from the room
where the children sleep. without
waiting to strike a light he ran out
through the kitchen and into the room.
As he threw the door open he made out
that 1t was Kitty who was sobbing hys-
terically and between her sobs was
calling to him.
What is it, Kitty" he asked Wait
Amoment and will get a light"
No; don't 20 away" begged the lit
tie girl. 1T will eat me up if you
leave me-"
There, there; don't be frightened.
It's nothing" said the father, thinking
that she had been troubled in her
dreams by some devouring monster
1T hurts me so" whimpered the
child.
Mr.. Shaughnessy groped his way to
the bed and patted the child's face.
Then he cried out in alarm, for his
hand felt the warmth and sickness OF
blood.
How did you hurt yourself?" he
asked, and turning he called to his
wife to bring a light.
81 didn't hurt myself" replied the
child family. 1T kept biting my face
and when I pushed It away it bit my
arm and hand. was afraid to cry at
first l thought it would 20 and eat
Annie up"
BY this time Annie had awakened
and begun to cry and Mrs. Shaugh-
messy came in with a lamp. BY the
light the father saw that Kitty's face
vas covered with blood which had
soaked the pillow and her nightgown
and her hands and arms were red and
dripping. snatchine up a towel h,
wiped the child's face with 1t, thinkins
to find some large, deep wound. Their,
was nothing OF the sort, but no sooner
had he cleansed the face, than ther,
welled up from a score Of little pune
lures in the forehead and cheeks fresl
streams of blood. Covering both tn
child's arms were similar curious lit
tie holes.
Hold the light here to the bed" sal
Mr.. Shaughnessy to his wife ."some
thing has been eating the child alive
II didn't get past me or I'd have hear
IT, and it must be here yet"
Dropping on his knees he peered uu
der the bed, and Immediately strue
out with an exclamation OF alarm.
huge, gray rat had leaped straight a
him, passed over his shoulder. and the
disappeared down a hole in the part
ton near the water pipe Mrs. Shaugt
messy screamed and nearly dropped th
light. Mr.. Shaughnessy jumped int
his trousers and shoes, and never stoI
ped running until he had reused DR.
Collaghan and McGoldrick who liy
around the conner.
They found Kitty almost faintin
from loss Of blood. All over her for,
head were the marks OF the rats il
cisors, her nose was bitten in severi
piaceasand one puDcture had--=hare4
missed the right eye. Her arms ar
hands were fearfnlly mutilated. On a
LETT arm aud hand alone there we
nearly one hundred holes The rig