The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-04-21
LITTLE ROSIE'S FATHER
BY /. N. STEVENS.


didn't Rachel have beau? Rachel,
who was her mother had long ago
concluded the child was an oddlty and
paid little or 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 a kitten hugged tight in
her arms and singing in shrill voice
a quaint little song
Rachel invariably sighed Her rela-
tion to her child was not of an intt
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 world Of her own crea-
tion, 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 us?' she
asked.
Il don't" said Rosie quickly, "and
think it's mean OF you to say So
"Oh, do you" cried the little girl.
I'D like to know why, when my
mamma said it was pity we respect
able children had to play with you.
and that you didn't have 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
a garment. She was thin and frail,
with a pink flush on her sunken
cheeks and burn In her dark eyes.
She smiled as the child rushed up and
let her work fall in her lap.
We'll, what is it?" she inquired.
listlessly
They all have 'em--where is my
father?' she cried, in little pants.
When is he comm back?"
Comm back?" Rachel echoed in
amazement
Yes. | told Mamie he was comm
some tine
well, he's not'-an angry light
darted in her eyes-"you haven't one.
even, and tell her so If she asks you
again. Little idiots she added more
to herself than to the child.
Rosies arms had fallen limp at her
sides, Horror, astonishment and be-
lief successfully came in her face.
The next morning in the schoolhouse
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-s
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. until
finally her diligent watch was re-
warded man. wearing 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 long
in coming to allow him to escape now
that he stood upon their very thresh-
old. Rachel would soon turn the bend
in the road, but until that moment she
had not considered that it would be
very dirty. tired-looking Rachel. A
happy thought suddenly occurred to
her.
Il tell you whati' Rosie raised her
shining eyes. Come again bout dusk.
My mother will be home by that
time"
We'll, / say you're an uncommonly
polite little girl. I'll be back" and to
Rosie's astonishment, Prince Charm
ing lifted his hat and went leisurely
towards the village.
When her mother returned, she
said;
You beat all, you queer little thing.
But / wouldn't dress for a soap agent
or a prince tonight. why, I'm actually |
too tired to eat" and with a sigh she
sank YEARLY on the steps.
Down the road came the soap agent. |
81 am selling SOAP" he began and
stopped abruptly.
Frank" she cried. placing her
hand to her forehead in piteous ef-
fort to suppress her emotion.
He gazed at her dumb-struck, until
the appeal in her faded, bitter face
gave him understanding
Tell her." said the soap agent. and
there was an unmistakabe tremor in
his voice, Prince Charrning is here"