The Washington times., 1921-10-23

turned her happy, laughing face toward
the other child, when, in another instant,
her features were frozen with agony and
a scream came from her throat which
startled the neighborhood.
A huge three-ton truck, loaded with ex-
press packages had slipped on the wet
pavement, skidded up on the sidewalk
and run over little Rosie's outstretched
arms, severing her hands just above the
wrists, completely cutting OF the little
hands.
The other children stood in mute horror,
passersby lifted the mutilated little one.
and an undertaken, who had a shop near
by, with professional instinct, stopped and
gathered up the two lifeless hands which
lay separate and apart on the sidewalk.
The full meaning Of this birthday trag-
edy did not dawn on the merry little party
at that moment, nor even upon Rosie's
mother and aunt and the neighbors.
But life that had been all sunshine for
little Rosie Cattani the moment before was
now clouded with hopeless misery. All
the joy and buoyancy Of childhood had
been crushed out in that fraction OF
second by the wheel OF that great express
van.
Rosie was manned and crippled, help
less, hopeless being.
It is not surprising that tears crept
down the faces Of the jurymen as they
listened to the simple story of. that child
as It was told in the Supreme Court in
New York the other day, and as they
looked at those pitiful stumps and thought
Of their own little ones at home-and con-
sidered the lawyers demand. for 800, 900
as compensation.
Justice Burr leaned forward and looked
at the tiny figure nearly lost in the folds
OF big brown coat as she sat in high
backed witness chair
LET me see your arms, please" he said
gently.
The child lifted patient eyes to her
mothers face. Mrs. Emilio Cattani
crossed the courtroom and removed the
little girls cloak. She rolled back the
sleeves Of her neat muslin dress. The
Judge and jury looked upon the sight
which Rudyard Kipling has immortalized
in one OF his tales, without Benefit OF
Clergy" What had been arms bearing a
child's little restless hands were mere
ugly stumps.
Covered by long, sock-like slips which
the mOtner mad Knlt tne TWO crippled arms
stretched forth as though pleading for JUS
tice. Look at her, gentlemen of the jury
See for yourself" said the child's lawyer
"'Only little girl you may say. The
daughter Of an humble laborer. But
claim that for each Of the hands she has
lost you should award her s50,000-s100,0 900
for both. It is little enough, gentlemen.
"The child has been deprived Of all the
Joys that make childhood sweet Never
again can she play with a, doll. She must
watch while other children play with them.
The first faint stirring Of the maternal In
stinct will never be appeased by the feel.
ing Of doll in her arms. She could not
hold doll in those poor remnants of her
arms gentlemen. She could not even hold
II on her lap. For, unguarded by her
hands, Il would fall to the floor And when
It had fallen she could not pick II up.
"Every child loves pets. To Rose the
pleasure OF patting a dogs head and see.
ing It lift mute eyes OF gratitude and affec-
tlon Is denied She can never stroke a
cats furry back and hear its answering
purr OF thanks.
"She can never play at keeping house.
Instructive in every little girls bosom, as
deeply instructive as her love Of dolls, is
the craving TO keep house. Rose will have
to SIT and hook on while other little girls
do their mimic housekeeping
Little Rose will be a mere spectator OF
the sports OF other children.
"Hha oan nnvpr take tho nfano Ioanons