The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1901-05-08
"A Cure Or
>orleliness
BY w R. ROSE

~
nurses sal on the rustic seats here and
there and watched their charges Or
played with the small children who
nestled ii wicker carriages with gay.
colored canopies
On one of the benches not far from
1.-the entrance sat an elderly man. He
was straight and square shouldered,
with white mustache and grizzled
hair and a strong suggestion Of early
military training. He sat there be-
cause he liked to see the children at
play. They were better company than
bis thoughts. Anyway, he had little
else to do. I.2s
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 he 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 dazzied 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 eneircling his body
and holding his arms fast to his sides.
BE made an effort to release himself,
but without success. He fancied he
could sympathize with the feelings of
CULVER when be 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?
Unhand me at once5 or tremble for the
consequences! 8
| The cord-it was a child's skipping
ropewas rapidly drawn from about
his waist, and a moment later its own:
er danced in front Of him.
She was a little girl Of possibly Z,
though at times her varying EXPIRES
sions made her seem much older. Her
hair doated 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 a mock
ing courtesy, q amt a bit afraid Of
your"
And why not?' the old man asked.
She was charming fairy. natural
little coquette. and her every move
was full OF q subtle grace. And why.
are you not afraid Of such a gray old
mustache as l amp be 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.",s 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 grand father
No. said the child. Only you
He studied her face sharply.
Come little closer. he said in
coaxing tones. She marched boldly up
to him. Her little hand few up and
touched the front Of her cap.
hats the way to salute a soldier
she said, with a merry laugh. Mamma
said you was one. 3
He caught his breath.
Perhaps" he slowly said. .tyou can
even tell me my name r ls
| Yes. can, replied the child. It's
easy Your name is Philip. An now
guess what mine is. z
Isis it Mary n he gently asked.
'.No,'' laughed the child. That's
mammals. Mine is most like yours.
Its Philippa. !" ".
The old man was silent for q mo-
ment.
Is your mother here, child y he sud
denly asked. Is she lurking about
among the trees ~ .353g
Who? Do you mean mamma r.
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 prettier. But sometimes
people don't pay very quick an some,
times they think mamma charges too
much, an sometimes she doesn't have
any pictures to do. Then, you know,
it's pretty hard to have the landlord
call. y guess You know how that is. g
!" And where is your father?D and the
old mans voice suddenly grew hard.
: He's beaded IN Cally forny said the
child. He was an actor. You know; q
stage actor. I don't member him very
well. was too little when he went
away 'ves tried to act, too, but Della,