The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1901-03-20
: A Cure For
! Loneliness
BY w. X. ROSE
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The air was mild and clear The
children froleked merrily among tho
trees In the park. The white capped
nurses sat on the rustic seats here and
there and watched their charges or
played with the smaller children who
nestled In wicker carriages with gay
eolored canopies
On one of the benches not far from
was straight and square shonldered,
with white mustache and grizzled
hair and n 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
cd 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
bnck, his shoulders found restful
corner of the high backed seat, and
presently he was s0undly sleeping.
slight conclusion awakened him.
lie opened his eyes with n little start,
The sun WAS peeping through the
foliage, and the rays dazzled him. lie
tried to raise hand to draw his soft
hat over his eyes and could not Both
hands were pinloned fast. He looked
down. A rope was encircling his body
1 L, a
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 II was one of the playful fairies
whom he had watched so many times
among the trees. He WAS right. A
chlld's laughter broke ON his ears. Ills
captor was close behind him.
Aha" he said In what was intended
for very gruff voice, are you there?
finland me at once or tremble for the
consequences
The cord-it was II 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 Mt times her varying express
sions made her seem much older. Her
hair floated about her head in careless
waves and tendrils, her eyes were gray
and deep. her mouth was small and
beautifully shaped, and there was n
saucy upward tilt TO her short nose.
Pooh, pooh" she said With n mock
ing courtesy, IL amt bit afraid Of
youw
And why not" the old man asked.
She was charming fairy. n natural
little coquette. and her every move
was full of subtle grace. And why
are you not afraid of such II gray old
mustaehe as l am?" he asked again az
she pirouetted before him.
Because you are my grandfather"
she carelessly answered.
The old mans face darkened
What do you mean by that non
senseY he harshly asked.
"'Tain't nonsense" said the little
maiden, unless grandfathers is non
sense. Anyway, you're my GRANDPA
Their" 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 grandfatherT
mo" said the child. only you"
He studied her face sharply.
Come little closer" he said in
coaxins 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 n soldier"
she said, with II merry hugh. Mamma
said you was one"
He caught his breath.
Perhaps" he slowly said. you can
even tell me my name?"
YES, cam" replied the child. ITS
easy Your name is Philip. An now
guess what mine is
Isis it Nary" he gently asked.
NO" laughed the child. That's
mammals Mine Is most like yours.
Its rhilippa."
The old man was silent for Il mo-
ment
us your mother here, child?" he sud
denly asked rs she lurking about
among the trees?'
who? DO you mean mammal
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
peopL. 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. l guess you know how that is"
And where is your father?' and the
old mans voice suddenly grew hard,
Hes beaded In callyforny," said the
child. Tie was an actor. you know; Il
stage actor. don't member him very
well. | was too little when he we2t
away. I've tried to act. too, but Della,
that's the janitor's wife, she says
can't act for shueks."
Good thing" muttered the old man.
well, | don't know" said the child.
"You see, wanted TO do somethin TO
help mamma, an If can't act l don't
know what l can do. But | s'pose It's