Show Kathy Fiscus Breaks the Shell to Reveal Kindly Warm arm Human Hearts Hearts' Ever so BO often there is a suspense suspense- packed human interest story like that of Kathy Fiscus which hits the headlines for a period of hours or days and holds the universal interest of the American people Few such stories could outrank that of Kathy There was something about Kathy's story that tugged at the heartstrings heartstrings heartstrings heart heart- strings of the American people in unusual unusual unusual un un- un- un usual fashion She was so pretty so bubbling with the joy of life then life then to tobe tobe tobe be catapulted suddenly and without warning deep into the bowels of the the earth in darl darkness ness in pain and in terror Everyone we are sure suffered vicariously with this tiny girl as she must have struggled in her iron tomb wondering what had happened Parents felt in their hearts the torments of Kathy's mother and father as they first listened to her cries talked to her her and and then in an agonizing silence waited to hear the fate of their child Hope for Kathy's rescue at first burning bright steadily dimmed as the hours passed The silence down that tube of steel became ever more ominous When finally the news of her death was broadcast few were surprised This was a great reat and thrilling human interest story But it was more than just spectacular news The tragedy of Kathy once again created the opportunity for forI J I i people to to demonstrate their innate kindness and good neighborliness It was not only the curious and the thrill seekers who were attracted to the vacant lot in San Marino where Kathy dropped out of sight Hundreds came to offer their help Many more called to offer aid or suggestions Fifty or more took part in the hazardous and onerous rescue work O. O A. A Kelly who finally found the girls girl's body worked for almost five hours lying prone in water in the small hot tunnel at the thc bottom o oP the rc rescue cue shaft to cut through the pipe in which the body was wedged Public and private agencies responded responded responded re re- re- re quickly at the first news VS of Kathy's plight mobilizing men machines machines machines ma ma- chines and equipment equipment and and ignoring the cost A childs child's life was at stake stake and and that was all that mattered c cAs As far as Kathy was concerned it was all in vain But the effort was not wholly lost The swift and ready response response response re re- re- re to a fellow human beings being's need demonstrated for a brief period that warm hearts do beat under the tough hides of the men and women we pass with such glum looks every day on the street All it takes is a Kathy to break the shell and sympathetic kindly helpful helpful helpful help help- ful fellow human beings stand revealed It is good to be reminded of that fact from time to time For that we owe little little little lit lit- tle Kathy Fiscus a debt |