Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-03-07
Elsie's Kind Father - By
Kate Cochran

One night as man was sitting at
the sick bedside of his little daughter
Elsie he heard a low knock at the door
and following it a loud thud. He wsl
not going to open the door as they
lived in the woods where there were
many wild animals, such as wolves
and cats. But after a while he heard
| low means.
! Elsie was frightened for she thought
1t was some wild animal although she
was IA years old. He looked over at
her thinking she would be asleep and
he could go to bed but she was wide
awake. With some struggling efforts
to get up he heard her say In fright
ened tone. What is that, papa?'
| Il think it is some wild animals out
there, but l am going to see," said he
as he rose from his chair, and moved
toward the door,
! ~"Oh! papa. don't. That animal will
eat you up and l will be left here to
die alone screamed Elsie.
But, Elsie, it is some human being
and | am going so be quiet" answer.
! ed the man, as he opened the door and
stepped out, but there lay dark form
on the porch. The man started toward
it and heard it mutter, "Oh! God, help
me to find some place to get help!"
The man knew by it's voice it was a
child and stopping down he picked it
up and carried it into the house
Elsie screamed with delight when
she saw the girl and said, Now, shall
have some one to play with"
Hush! Elsie" said her father, 81
shall have to give this little girl some
thing to bring her to-" He managed
to push some medicine between the
closed lips which quivered once in
while as if to speak.
After while the girl rose up in the
bed in which he had laid her and said,
Where am 1; have they saved Jim,
and mother?"
Listen little girl. you are safe but
where have you come FROM said the
man. .~-a
I'VE started from home to go to
Uncle Jerry's across the river in a
boat and Jim, my big brother, dropped
an oar and l stopped over the side of
the boat to grab it when the boat went
over"
Gould Jim swim? ?" queried the man,
Eyes, Jim could swim, and when the
boat went over heard mother cry. I
could swim little, SO | managed to
get on land. l saw light ahead and
| started for it to get help. I could see
dark forms of animals stink away in
the woods when l passed. That is all
l can remember but thought fell"
said the little girl.
Elsie I am going out to find those
people and will leave this girl here, z
said the man.
He then left the house, took the path
to the river where he saw fire. Run
ming up to the fire he saw woman
and boy in dripping wet clothes
close to the fire to dry them.
'Who are you and what are you do
ing here asked the man.
I'VE were dumped in the river when
our boat was upturned and I saved my
mother, but l could not find Eva, my
sister, said the boy sobbing.
Never mind my lad, have your sis
ter at home, and let's take your moth
err there to- said the man.
rs Eva alive, and what is your
name?" queried the boy.
eva is alive and we'll, and my name
is Mr.. Banks. but help me with your
mother here" said the man. The
man took the boy. and his mother to
his house, gave them some supper and
a bed!
The next morning they were up and
ready to finish their journey. They
gave Mr.. Banks their thanks and prom
ised to come again which they did and
stay two weeks and finally moved be-
side Elsie. Kate Cochran,
Ashland Ave-, 5th St., Charlton, Iowa.