Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-04-19
A Cure For
Loneliness
BY w. R. ROSE

The air was mild and clear. The
children frolicked merrlly among the
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
colored canopies.
On one of the benches not far from
the entrance sat an elderly man. He
was straight and square sbouldered,
with 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 he was soundly sleeping.
A slight concussion awakened him.
He opened his eyes with 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 pinioneG 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
Gulliver when he found the pygmies
had caught and bound him. He was
Sure 1T 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 very gruff voice, "are you there?
Unhand me at once or tremble for the
consequences!
The cord-it was q childs 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 fioated 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, "I amt bit afraid of
you"
"And why not?" the old man asked.
She was charming fairy, a natural
little cOquette, and her every move
was full Of subtle grace. "And why
are you not afraid of such 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 non
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"
mo-" 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 satd, "you can
even tell me my names"
"Yes, can." replied the child. "It's
easy. Your name Is Philip. An now
guess what mine is"
"Is-is it Mary?' he gently asked.
NO" laughed the child. THAT'S
mammals. Mine is most like yours.
It's Philippa."
The old man was silent for n mo-
ment.
"Is your mother here. child?" he sud
denly asked. "Is she lurking about
among the trees?"
"Who? Do you mean mammap
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. 1 guess you know how that is"
And where is your father" and the
old mans voice suddenly grew hard.