The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1917-04-05
FRIENDS FOR MARY anne
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

"Dout the tWiS'tu psb"'hS oh '''S'''"N
drive.
Mary Anne drew In deep breaths Of |
II. The doctor had ordered that she
get as much fresh air into her system
as possible during her enforced free
dom from the basement In which she
sold household utensils. Her scant
clothing was all too thin for SO cold
day, but the clear air was invigorating.
Coming toward her on the path an
old man came slowly along wheeling a
tiny go-cart. His eyes sparkled and
were very contented as they rested on
the baby-his grandchlld-in the cart.
Mary Anne smiled. Perhaps II was
wistful smile. She had no one Of her
own to love-no one to minister to.
"Ain't It awful-bein' aloneT' she re-
marked to herself.
The old man and the baby trundled
nearer. The baby's cheeks were like
red apples. Mary Anne specialized as
TO his future and hoped he would not
have to work In basement and thus
lose his color.
life amt worth much-workin' In
basement" she supplemented her
thought. "Guess I'd "a croaked, right
there In the basement-if our boss
wasn't a human bein'." She pondered
over the realization that she was out
on Riverside drive trying to inhale
sufficient fresh air to keep her on her
feet, when, according TO all the laws
Of department store management, she
should be down In the basement selling
clothespins or tea pots to testy Gus
toners.
"And I'm gettin' my six per-just the
same" Altogether, Mary Anne felt
that she had much to be thankful for.
The old man stopped suddenly. Ap-
parently something had gone wrong
with the baby's fittings. Mary Anne
watched interestedly.
The progress of the two was certain
ly suspended. Mary Anne wondered
IL she could be Of any assistance. The
old man seemed perturhed. The baby
/ was getting fretful.
Mary Anne's desire to help domi-
mated. She arose and approached the
pair.
want any help?' Mary Anne asked,
gazing hungrily at the baby.
Chunks has busted the string off his
bonnet" the old man said, grateful for
the sound Of a feminine voice. ut don't
seem to stay put without It,"
Needs a pin-don't 1t, honeyT she
questioned Of the blue-eyed baby. With
quick fingers she extracted the pin
from her scant neck piece.
"Aien folks don't know much about
babies" the old man remarked. "Ne
and Jim and Chunks miss the women
folks"
Mary Anne turned tragic eyes on
him. "You don't mean that Chunks
amt got no mother-do your
That's just the case" he told her.
"My sons wife died and left me and
Jim and Chunks to get along as best
we could"
"Oh!" gasped Mary Anne, ready to
sob tears of sympathy for Chunks and
the two helpless men who tried to be
father, mother and all to him. Couldn't
come over and help bit. can wash
and cook and mend Chunks clothes"
A warm glow suffused the old mans
face. The very thought of womanly
hands pottering about the tiny fiat was
emotion begetting.
Still he glanced doubtfully at the
girls frail body and pale face.
ut would do me a whole heap OF
good she said quickly, interpreting
his glance, "just to have someone Il
lo-help." She gazed longingly a
Chunks. "Tve been eating my luncl
: all alone in my room and heating m!
milk on the gas jet. That amt mucl
sport, is it?"
SO It was that Mary Anne pulled her
self into paradise by the power of he
helping hands. Each day she ant
Chunks and Grandy, as she called him
met on the drive, had their long health
giving walk and romp I'm the fresh air
then went to the tiny fiat and cooked
lunch. 1t was like a holiday to Mar.
, Anne. She also found time to men'
and darn for Grandy and jim.
slim wishes he was in on our goo'
times" Grandy often remarked; n
don't get home nights until SEVEN" HI
kindly eyes always wore a peculiar ex
preston when he mentioned his sol
and Mary Anne knew what was behin'
his mind.
"Ive baked him special little appl
pie for his dinner tonight" Mary Ann
, said shyly; 81 hope he likes pie"
"He's liked everything you've don
SO far" Grandy told her. "Womel
' folks certainly do make a home home.
1--WE mustn't think of the time whel
, I have to 90 back to the basement.
/ Mary Anne said with swift emotion
!. colorlng her cheeks. "We're good pal
|. you and me and Chunks-ain't WEI
: she demanded. II just can't bear Z
h think of anyone else coming In here {
|. take care of Chunks and YOU"
"what about Jimr Questione'
{ Grandy.
0 "Oh, Jlm-Jim seems happy enoug
taking care of himself" Mary Ann
said N trIfia wistfully