Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1914-06-13
LITTLE ROslFs FATHER

Rosie. where was ner iatherl why
didn't Rachel have beau? Rachel.
who was her mother, had long ago
concluded the child was an oddly and
paid little OF no attention to her end
less queries and singular habits,
/ though oftentimes she would pause In
her work TO gaze at Rosie, rocking. to
and fro, with q kitten Rugged tight in
her arms and singing In a shrill voice
a quaint little song.
Rachel invariably sighed. Her rela-
ton to ker child was not Of an inti-
mate nature. She was always too over
worked to encourage friendliness and.
therefore, Rosie seemed strange and
remote. Romance enveloped her and
she lived In a world OF her own crea-
ton, far removed from her humble
surroundings. She went to the little
whitewashed schoolhouse on the hill,
and at recess played with the children,
but afterward she came home and sat
on the doorstep alone.
One day little girl, who was ex-
ceedingly small. but very important
because her father was the store
keeper, began to swing on the school
yard gate and looked Rosie over with
contemptuous disapproval.
why do you stick after us7" she
asked.
81 DON'T" said Rosie quickly, "and
think it's mean of you to say So"
"Oh, do your" cried the little girl
I'D like to know why, when my
mamma said 1t was a pity we respect
able children had to play with you
and that you didn't have a father
even, and"
my father" Rosie paused. She
knew she could say one Of two things
He is away" she ended triumphantly
Away! Is he coming back?' she
asked, with newly awakened interest
YES" said Rosie, "he is coming
back some time" and suddenly she
turned and fairly few down the sun
bathed road.
Rachel sat on the doorstep mending
garment She was thin and frail
} with a pink flush on her sunken
, cheeks and a burn in her dark eyes
She smiled as the child rushed up and
let her work fall In her lap.
We'll, what is 1T" she inquired
listlessly.
They all have 'em-where lie my
father" she cried, In little pants
when is he comm back?"
Comm back?" Rachel echoed IN
Amusement
"Yes. i told Mamie he was comm
some time"
We'll, he's not"-an angry light
darted in her eyes-"you haven't one
even, and tell her so II she asks you
again. Little idiots" she added, more
to herself than to the child.
Rosie's arms had fallen limp at hel
sides. Horror, establishment and be
lief successfully came in her face.
The next morning in the schcolhouse
several of the children were gathered
around the teacher, so Rosie shyly
Joined the group and heard the last
part of the conversation.
Little Lucy Harlow is going to
start to school today, and you must all
be especially nice and kind to her, for
she hasn't father"
Oh! oh! Rosies heart beat tumultu-
ously. AT last there would be one OF
her kind
Lucy Harlow and her mother came
In just before the last bell rang. Rosie
did not attempt TO probe the differ
ence,, but she knew Immediately that
Mrs. Harlow was curiously unlike the
other mothers in the village.
One evening Rosie stood at the gate
gazing up and down the road, unit
: finally her diligent watch was re
warded. A man, wearing a shabby
blue suit, a gay necktie, patent leather
shoes, and carrying a travelling bag
, walked briskly towards her.
Rosie looked dubious. She knew
she could not buy soap, and yet
Prince Charming had been too loni
y In coming to allow him to escape nov
! that he stood upon their very thresh
old. Rachel would soon turn the ben
e in the road. but until that moment sh
! had not considered that 1t would be
e very dirty, tired-looking Rachel.
y happy thought suddenly occurred t
her.
II tell you what" Rosie raised he
=. shining eyes. Come again bout dusl
Ny mother will be home by tha
time"
We'll, / say you're an uncommon
polite little girl I'll be back" and
Rosie's establishment Prince Charm
= Ing lifted his hat and went leisurel
towards the village.
. When her mother returned, 81
!. said:
You beat all, you queer little thin
But / wouldn't dress for a soap agei
or a prince tonight, why, I'm actual
too tired TO eat" and with a sigh 81
n sank YEARLY on the steps.
Down the road came the soap agen
= Il am selling SOAP" he began al
] BtopDed abruptly.