The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1909-10-07
Observation-Disclosures
SuSie'S Mother.
sessssssssessssssssosssess

eyes. / could never nave tClQ her now
I admired her aching but never
wholly relaxed back and called At
tention, children,- She would never
know that some Of the happiest mo-
ments Of my life were spent In .m!iG-
ting her voice and manner.
We we're playing school under the
apple trees at the side OF Susle's
house. can see Suslc's honest,
freckled little face now as she blinked
up at me over her piuce-nez made Of
ha!rpins. have not seen Susie these
many years. wonder Il she remem-
bers that day.
l dragged mothers black alpaca
skirt across the grass and pounded
the table with Susie's fathers cane.
When I squinted around my hairpin
eyeglasses / could see that Susie, the
teacher in the next room-marked Of
by a tree trunk-was watching ne
rather than playing the game herself.
However, was not troubled, only
fattered
Presently sus!e's mother came fly
ms out Of the house. She looked like
a child herself, with her bright hair
blowing in the breezes, with her mer-
~ blue eyes and her child's laugh
that bubbled over at the sight Of my
severity.
I've got some cookies, " she began;
then as stared at her stolidly over
my hairpin, she spoke in a piping,
childlike tone:
Please, ma'am, mother thought
you'd like some OF her cookies.
They're just baked
Susie giggled, but I responded ma
jestically: Thank your mother; she
is very kind. You may leave them
on the desk and III eat them very
soon"
With a bobbing little courtesy that
made the corners Of my mouth curl,
susie's mother placed the cookies on
the rickety table. and still laughing,
flew back to the house.
was singing, Lightly row, lightly
row, at the top Of my voice, to the
inconvenience Of the teacher in the
next room, when Susie's mother came
again out Of the back door. This
time she dropped down on the grass
In front of me and raised her hand"
Please, ma'am, didn't know but
what you'd like to come to tea with
me and mother"
But before | could answer this de-
lightful summons there came cry
from Susie.
"oh, mother, there comes father;
he's sick again!"
In fash the girllsh face Of Susie's
mother grew old and gray. She
sprang to her feet. Then I saw, COM
ing down the road toward the house.
Susie's father, Keeling from one side
OF the walk to the other, now clutch
ing gatepost on the inside, now fall
ing against tree on the outside.
Susie's mother said in a low.
strained voice. hear it now-"Ney-
er mind the tea party, dears." She
new into the house and shut the bach
door after her.
with open mouth and wide ewes
trembling with faintness and far I
watched the man. Would he came I'm
at the side gate? | was ready IA
climb the fence to--but 10, he passed
on to the front. Then there was 81
lence. susie'ss little frecdied face had
turned white, her small agure
seemed to have shrunk together. \
wondered miserably what 10 do next
Then there came sounds from the
house--horrible shoutings and laugh.
Ter and oaths; then there broke across
those sounds another that seemed ~
stop my heart-a woman's high. shriIl
shriek, which died out as swiftly as
it came.
| caught mothers alpaca skirt ia
both hands. Tin going home"
cried over my shoulder as I sped
away. Sp'N
Down the road ran. The long
skirt entangled my eager little feet.
twice fell. At last, dusty. sobbinp
painting, l New up my home path and
hung myself on my mother. sitting
sweet and cool on the piazza.
Why, dearie, what's the matter9,,
she gathered me close.
On l was so scared-se scared "
Ihat was all I'could say, and mother
rocked me but asked no questions
Ineh down the road as had come
came elother little figure. stumbIino
and clutching cumbersome entan
eilng skirt. 1t was Susie. sbeFtoo
was was soooing' Mother put me dawn
and went to msst her.