Morris tribune., 1901-03-30
A Cure r Or
Loneliness
BY w. r. ROSE

|
|, The air was mild and clear. Til
children frolicked merrily among th
trees in the park. The white capped
nurses sat on the rustic seats here ant
there and watched their charges o
played with the smaller children VIII,
nestled in wicker carriages with ga.
| colored canopies.
1 On one of the benches not far from
the entrance sat an elderly man. III,
was straight and square shouldered
with white mustache and grizzlet
hair and a strong suggestion of early
military training. He sat there be
cause he liked to see the children al
play. They were better company thar
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
presently he was soundly sleeping.
A slight conclusion awakened him.
He opened his eyes with a little start.
The sun was peepfng 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 pinionee fast. He looked
down. A rope was encircling his body
and holding his arms fast to his sides.
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 one 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 a very gruff voice, ARE you there?
finland me at once or tremble for the
Consequences
The cord-it was child's skipping
rope-was rapidly drawn from about
his waist, and moment later it's own
er danced in front of him.
She was 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 a
saucy upward tilt to her short nose.
Pooh, pooh" she said, with mock
ing courtesy, 81 amt a bit afraid of
your
"And why not 2" the old man asked.
She was charming fairy, a natural
little coquette, and her every move
was full of a subtle grace. "And why
are you not afraid of such a gray old 1
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 non
sense. Anyway, you're my GRANDPA
ther" And she started to leave him.
'tWait,' he cried. some here. What
lid you mean by saying am your
Do you call every old
nan you see grandfatherY'
no." said the child. "Only you"
He studied her face sharply.
''Come a little closer" he said in /
soaking tones. She marched boldly up
o him. Her little hand flew up and /
ouched the front Of her cap.
.That's the way to salute a soldier"
he said, with merry laugh. Mamma
aid you was one
He caught his breath.
Perhaps" he slowly said, s'you can
ven tell me my name?''
eyes, can" replied the child. "It's
asy. Your name is Philip. An now
uess what mine is. Z
els is it Mary ?" he gently asked.
mo" laughed the child. That's
Mine is most like yours.
It's Philippe"
The old man was silent for q mo-
lent.
Is your mother here, childY' he sud
emily asked ssIs she lurking about
mopg the trees 2"
WHO? Do you mean mamma n
ried the child. "She isn't here. She
asn't no time for trees She's always
20 busy. Didn't you know she paints2
es; she paints lovely little pictures.
[inichoors she calls them They're
lctures Of people, don't you know.
My much prettier. But sometimes
eople don't pay very quick, an some