The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1906-08-08
MY NEIGHBOR'S BABY
By Mn. VAN DOOzER

10 ran to the door of my apartment and
90 look down the shaft. Just below, on
The landing, little fellow, blonde Rs
Co hair. with grimy hands and tear
stained face. was contemplating the
ruins of castle he had made. Ills
appearance was SO Wuebeguue that
ran down 20 comfort him Between
ihe sobs that shook his chubby little
frame be told me that his mother was
cleaning house in her hat, ami had
sert him out ON the landing 10 play.
Ana nobody. not nobody, never
goes BY wivout knockin II 1oWu-my
house" he incurred. iIe was such a
baby, Vith lis tat bohbirg curls, his
great blue eyes sNimming IN tears
and his dlmpled rosy face wiusome
in spite of the DIT and te8r streaks.
that ! promptly invited hiln into my
own nat, which was not belng cleaned.
where ne played happily al afteraoou
The maid, whom sent iowa 10 relieve
his mothers possible apprehension.
reported the Other apartmen, already
as neat as pin, from whft she could
see, and in no need Of further cleaning.
His mother do be givin' a riciption.
I or tn ioikes " not. % gurrl tould me.
an she do be follyin tn aWther gurrl
iroun' th' T-rooms as n she hadn't tn
sinse hersilf u do her own work..
Us nieFilf thot Wu'd be objictin' IT,
'Thst viii do, Mary" exclaimed,
hastily glancing az my little guest.
so long as his mother is not worried.
Us the main thing" At this the baby
looked up and sh1 ok his heau yigor-
Ously.
My muyver, she won't worry" he
explained. Then. after a moment, he
added: my muvver, she's puffic
housekeeperi"
The next day be came again, knock
ing timidly for admittance. instead OF
ringing the bell. which was 100 high
for him. This zine, he was absolutely
spotless and resplendent in a brand
new 8ustcr Brown suit. but BE still
had MS beloved blocks. Again he
played. silent. conteuted, as before, and
the routine of my household went on
undiEturhed. Nearly every dag after
that he cane, siwass smiling, always
quiet. always bringing some toy with
Which he amused himself what tits
mother thought % hIs absences
never new. Sometimes she was at
the club; sometimes she was enter
Gaining; sometimes she ''weni places,"
and. again. she would BE cleaning
house This last always happened on
Friday.
AMI who takes care Of your"
asBed one day Haven't yon e,er had
nurse2' Tha yellow curls bnbbed
yloleuhy.
"Gr,e. when | vas little. lad q
nursey. ] dit love her TOO. IiIt nam
( una sen6ed her away Sie says I'fs
, such a higgity boy Jus don'tneed no
body TO take care ~ me. In. free years
ola. an. takes care cf .py cwn self q
You don't know your mother very
b sell. 40 yon:" suggested. Aytronbled
= look crept over the suushiny little f1ce
NO he iaiteIed, doubtfullN
The next Gay. as ray little friend
stood looking out Of nay window, ie
suddenly oSiled 70 me
"Oh, come, cot quick and see my
Q pretty mamma sne's eoin atoa creep,
toni" lie knocked aScitedly un Tic
window pane TO attract his mothers
attention.
She looked up, waved her pan6 st
her baby. and seeing me beside him,
y bowed slightly. She was a regal look
lag woman, tall aud blonde like her
son. IL z moment she had stepped
into 5 cat and was whirled away. As
j. ) snfned to the little Fellow az my side
discovered he was weeping caught
aim into my arms Rnd Rugged and pet
2 tsd him. with An acne in my own heart,
sor dndsr his breath heard him muir
mur again and again:
! "She didn't kiss me hes hand Good
byi She didn't. and she promised she
would, my mavyer did"
Then for several days ! did not see
him. ! sent the maid 20 inquire.
: Bronchitis" she reported. sent flow
ers, and stopped az the door that same
] afternoon &c md cut .he little Fellows
4 condition. u they would let me. vas
more than willing 10 help take care 0l
him. and / OWNED that his mother at
least would not mind As 3 rang The
bell the door opened and the doctor
. stepped quietly out
He's dead, ae SAID, grayely "Poor
4 little chap! Perhaps he's better on, az
ter all" He seemed about 10 speak
further. then stopped. lifted his hat,
and went slowly down the steps
A few days later again I saw the
mother She was stepping into a cab.
4 Her mourning wa magnihcent.-Chi-
cago Tribune