Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-02
10PSY on THE TOP FLOOR
By CLARA J. DENTON.
Copyright. 1901. by George W. Jacob. & Co,
CHAPTER K.
An Accident,


No, won't said the boy. Tightening his
grip. Il won't let go of you until you give
me that dog. I'll see if you're going to
walk right off with my dog like this
= AT this moment Nettie saw in the dis,
lance the blue coat of the policeman and
her face frightened. The boy caught the
look on her face and he turned about to
discover the cause.
The sight Of the coming policeman warned
him that he must lose no time
Come her. You little brute" he said,
making a grab at the barking dog; but
Topsy, for answer, set her sharp white
teeth in the hand that tried to seize her.
The boy gave howl of rage. and raised his
hand to give the brave little animal a
singing blow. But Nettie, thinking to save
her pet the pain and the shame of it, low
cred her head in front Of Topsy's. The blow
fell with full force against the side of her
face, Knocked her hat into the middle of
the grassy space and laid her fiat on the
edge of the sod. AS she fell. her right arm
lost it's hold on Topsy, and the boy, thinking
1t would now be easy to pick up the dog,
caught hold of it fiercely.
Nettie screamed out, 20, you have broken
my arm
The boy then saw that the ribbon was
wound around her wrist and thinking no
doubt that he could break the ribbon by
nard pulling he again caught Savagely at
the barking dog, and Nettie again screamed
IN pain. The policeman was now running
toward them, and the boy, hearing his ra pid
footsteps behind him, let go of Topsy and
ned as fast as he could, thinking. no doubt.
that the policeman would have all he could
do to look after the little girl without chas-
ing him.
He was right in this, for, when the
policeman came up to Nettie the first glance
at her told him that she had tainted.
Well he muttered, heres pretty ket-
tie of fish; nice little girl, just about the
size OF my own little one, in dead faint
and with that dogs ribbon tied around her
wrist. Stop your barking, you little cur, or
III put you in my pocket
fortunately the child was lying quite near
hydrant, but. as there was no cup attach
ed, this water not being used for drinking
the policeman, whose name was Peter
Brady, filled the hollows of his hands with
water and managed to get a teaspoonful or
so on the childs face.
While all this was going on Mrs. Howells,
in the midst of her talk with Daisy, heard
Topsy's fierce barking.
'Hark," she said, there is a different
tone some way in Topsy's barking; perhaps
we'd better see what Nettie is abOut'
She rose and Daisy followed. She did not
suspect any serious trouble. however. and
went on quite leisurely, until she heard
NettieS scream.
Then, feeling sure that something dread
full had befallen her child for Nettie was
not given to screaming at trif1es, she broke
into run. Thus it happened that she and
Daisy came around the bend in the path,
just as the policeman had dropped the sec
ond thimbleful of water on Nettie's face.
one glance told the story, and the next mo-
ment, almost, Mrs. Howells was bathing
Nettle's white face with a wringing wet
handkerchief.
rs that your little girl, ma a mp said the
policeman, kindly.
Yes, but what does this mean? Topsy,"
she continued, looking at the dog who was
wagging her tail with all her might, you
could tell, l know, If l only could under
stand you'
Il really don't know, ma am, just how it
happened" said the policeman Il saw
big boy talking to her but 1 didn't suppose
he was doing any harm until l saw him
strike her, and throw her down. Then 1
came running and found her just like that,
ma am"
"And with Topsy's ribbon wound around
and around her arm said Mrs Howells, as
she began to unite it with one hand, while
chatting the cold face with the other. 90"
she exclaimed. the poor child's wrist is
broken, do you See?"
"Ah," said the policeman coming closer
so 1t Is. III run right to the station box
and telephone for a DOCTOR
He dashed away running across the grass
to reach the box which stood a little way
down another path.
And now, Daisy, here is Topsy's ribbon:
do you suppose you can hold on to it tight
~ and not let her escape again? You see
how much trouble has come from my care
lessness Lead her off. out of the way
She continued to rub Netties face and
hands with the cold, wet cloths, and in
few moments, to her great delight, the child
opened her eyes.
glad you are here; but where's Topsy?"
''Topsy is all right, dear Daisy is taking
care of her,
My arm hurts So"
Yes, dear, I know you have broken
your wrist: but we will soon have it all
right; the kind policeman has gone for the
DOCTOR"
When the policeman returned Nettie's
head was lying on her mammals knee her
eyes were open and her cheeks We're family
pink again.
THAT is good,' he said cheerily; 1.-The lit
tie girl is better, see. Now ma am, there's
a drug store near the east gate; l tele-
phoned the doctor we'd meet him there. I'll
carry the child over if she'll let me. May
1 carry YOU little one? You are Just about
the size of my daughter Nettie.''
20, yes" said Nettie, smiling up at him,
indeed, you may, for that is my name,
too.
He lifted her up very gently, her mother
placed her hand in the most comfortable
position possible and they set out, Daisy
following, and leading Topsy.
Mrs. Howells," said Daisy don't you
think | better go after our lunch baskets?
They are all there yet under that tree
NO, lNQeeu, SAID MIS-. FtOWellS, quickly.
Il don't mean to let that uneasy dog out of
my sight again today. 1 feel sure that
Topsy is the cause of this sad accident"
mo, no., said Nettie, opening her eyes,
YEARLY, "Topsy isn't a single bit to blame.
1t was that great, big boy. He said she was
his, but l know he told a story, for the lady
that gave Topsy to Miss Verro brought her
up from little bit of a puppy only three
weeks old, so she couldn't ever have been
his
of course not said the policeman, de-
cidedly; land all 1 am sorry for is that your
mamma wasn't on the spot to look after
you, so that 1 might have caught that
young ruffian. But, never mind, I've a
pretty good picture Of him in my mind and
maybe some day I'll get my eyes on him
again"
They found the doctor waiting for them
at the drug store, and the broken bone was
soon set and dressed. Nettie bore the oper-
alton without whimper.
Il know it's just got to be- she said" so
must bear it, and not make every body feel
bad by crying over it,
She was, however, very weak and tired so
Mrs Howells telephoned for a hack to take
them all home.
And now said the policeman. eff you
will give me your address, Mrs. Howclls, 1
will look after your lunch baskets, and send
them home to you tomorrow.
Then the next thing said Mrs. HcWells
lis to get Topsy home safely. and L think
Daisy, that will fall to you. We will leave
you at the door of the boarding house, and