The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-04-25
LITTLE RosIFs FATHER
BY L. M. STEVENS.

Two questions seriously trouble.
Rosie. Where was her father? VIII
didn't Rachel have a beau? Rachel
who was her mother. had long agt
concluded the child was an oddly ant
paid little or no attention to her end
less queries and singular habits
though oftentimes she would pause IL
her work to gaze at Rosie. rocking te
and fro, with kitten Rugged tight ir
her arms and singing in shrill voice
q quaint little song.
Rachel invariably sighed. Her rela
ton to her child was not Of an init
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 us?" she
asked.
II don't" said Rosie quickly, "and I
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, The 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 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.
well, 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
Eyes. 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 If she asks you
again. Little idiots" she added, more
to herself than to the child.
Rosie's arms had fallen limp at her
sides. Horror, establishment and be-
lief successfully came in her face.
The next morning in the schoolhouse
several Of the children were gathered
around the teacher, 80 Rosie shyly
Joined the group and heard the last
part Of the conversation.
Little Lucy Harlow Is going ia
start to school today. and you must all
be especially nice and kind to her. for
she hasn't father"
Oh! oh! Rosie's 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, until
finally her diligent watch was re-
warded. A man, wearing shabby |
blue suit, 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
n coming to allow him to escape now
hat he stood upon their very thresh-
Did. Rachel would soon turn the bend
n the road, but until that moment she
lad not considered that 1t would be
,ery dirty, tired-looking Rachel. A
happy thought suddenly. occurred to
Ter.
81 tell you what" Rosie raised her
shining eyes. Come again bout dusk.
Ny mother will be home by that
ime."
well, l say you're an uncommonly
polite little girl I'll be back" and to
2osie's establishment, Prince Charm
ng lifted his hat and went leisurely
owards the village.
When her mother returned, she
aid:
"You beat all, you queer little thing.
But wouldn't dress for soap agent
n a prince tonight, why, I'm actually
90 tired to eat" and with sigh she
ank 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
land to her forehead in piteous eff