Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1901-04-04
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I<0A1G-S1 2ss
BY W. K. ROSE

The air was mild and clear. The
children frollc,.ed merri'y among the
trees in tie park The white capped
nurses sat Ga the rCstlv seats here and
there and watched their charges or
played with the smaller children who
nestled in wicker carriages with gay
colored canopies.
On one of the benches not far from
was straight and square shouldered,
with a white mustache and grizzled
hair and strong suggestion of early
military training. He sat there be-
cause he liked to see the children at
play. They were better company than
his thoughts. Anyway, he had little
else to do
On this particular day he had watch
ed the playful elves as they darted in
and out among the trees until he had
grown tired. The warm sun made him
sleepy. His gray head slowly dropped
back, his shoulders found a restful
corner of the high backed seat, and
presently be was soundly sleeping.
A slight concussion awakened him.
He opened his eyes with a little start.
The sun was peeping through the
foliage, and the rays daZzled him. He
tried to raise hand to draw his soft
hat over his eyes and could not. Both
hands were pinionec fast. He looked
down. a rope was encircling his body
1, 10 70. 70 ci1nc
He made an effort to release himself,
but without success. He fancied he
could sympathiZe with the feelings of
CULVER when he found the pygmies
had caught and bound him. He was
sure it was ole of the playful fairies
whom he had watched so many times
among the trees. He was right. a
child's laughter broke on his ears. His
captor was close behind him.
"Aha," he said in what was intended
for very gruff voice, 'are you there?
Bnhand me at once or tFemble for tho
consequences"
The cord-it was a child's skipping
rope-was rapidly drawn from about
his waist, aud a moment later its own
er danced in front CS him.
She was a little girl of possibly Z,
though at times her varying express
sions made her seem much older. Her
hair foated about her head in careless
waves and tendrils, her eyes were gray
and deep. her mouth was small and
beautifully shaped, and there was
saucy upward tilt to her short nose.
pooh, pooh," she said, with a mock
ing courtesy, Il amt a bit afraid of
you!"
"And why notT' the old man asked.
She was a charming fairy, a natural
little coquette. and her every move
was full of subtle grace. And why
are you not afraid Of such a gray old
mustache as | ann" he asked again as
she pirouetted before him.
Because you are my grandfather"
she carelessly answered.
The old mans face darkened.
"What do you mean by that non
sense?" he harshly asked.
"'Tain't nonsense said the little
maiden. unless grandfathers is nom
sense Anyway, you're my GRANDPA
ther." And she started to leave him.
wait" he cried "Come here. What
did you mean by saying | am your
grandfather? Do you call every old
man you see grandfather"
"No," said the child. "Only you"
He studied her face sharply.
Come a little closer" he said in
coaxing tones. She marched boldly up
to him. Her little hand flew up and
touched the front of her cap.
| "That's the way to salute soldier"
she said, with a merry laugh. Mamma
said you was one"
He caught his breath.
! "Perhaps," he slowly said, "you can
even tell me my nameP
"Yes, can" replied the child. "Its
,asy. Your name is Philip. An now
guess what mine is"
Isis it Mary?" he gently asked.
mo" laughed the child. "Thats
mammals. Mine is most like yours.
It's Philippa."
The old man was silent for a mo-
ment.
'Is your mother here, child?' he sud
denly asked. "Is she lurking about
among the trees?"
"Who? Do you mean mammaF
cried the child. "She isn't here. She
hasn't no time for trees. She's always
too busy. Didn't you know she paints
Yes; she paints lovely little pictures
| MinichoOrs she calls them. They're
pictures OF people, don't you know
only much pretter But sometimes
people don't pay very quick, an some.
times they think mamma charges toe
much. an sometimes she doesn't have
any pictures to do. Then, you know
it's pretty hard to have the landlord
call. | guess you know how that is"
"And where is your fatherY and the
old mans voice suddenly grew hard.
Hes beaded in Calyforny," said the
shild. "IIe was an actor, you know;
stage actor | don't member him very
well was too little when he weH
away. I've tried to act too, but Della
that's the janitors wife, she says
can't act for shucks."
Good thing" muttered the old man.
"Well, don't know" said the child
"You see, | wanted to do somethin t
help mamma, an if / can't act l dom
| know what | can do. But | s'pose IT.
no use. Della said that as n child won
der | was the wust she ever seen, aI
Della goes out n good deal"
A faint smile crossed the old man.
stern features
"And what made you think that an
your grandfather he asked.
"Oh, Marie Kramer told me! replied
the child "She knows everybody
She's lived out more places. She
Bessie Leighton's nurse now, an jus
as soon as she saw you sittin here on
day she said, There's old Colonel Rob
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