Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-06
Euening Story
FRIENDS FOR MARY ANNE.
BY Dorothy Douglas.
Copyright, 1917. by Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)


A clear, GOLD wind curled around
and about the twisted bypaths on
Riverside drive.
Mary Anne drew in deep breaths
of it. 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 sha
sold household utensils. Her scant
clothing was all too thin for so cold q
day, but the clear air was invigorat-
ing
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 grandchild-in the
cart
Mary Anne smiled. Perhaps it was
a wistful smile. She had no one of
her own to love-no one to minister
to. In Mary Anne's philosophy hap
|piness depended entirely upon having
some one upon whom to squander az
lection.
"Ain't it awful-bein' alone?" she
remarked 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 crooked, right
there in the basement-if our boss
wasn't human bein'" She pondered
over the realization that she was out
on Riverside drive trying to tnhale
sufficient fresh air to keep her on
her feet, when, according TO all the
laws OF department store manage
ment, she should be done in the base
ment selling clothespins or tea pots
to testy customers.
"And I'm getting my six per-just
the same" Altogether. Mary Anne
felt that she had much to be thank
the mother Of the baby was and why
she wasn't out with it.
Probably home dom the wash"
she surmised.
The old man stopped suddenly. Ap.
parently something had gone wrong
with the baby's fittings. Mary Anne
watched interestedly. There was lit
tie to claim ones attention on so cold
day on the drive.
The progress of the two was GER
tainly suspended Mary Anne won
dered if she could be of any assist
ance The old man was getting fret
full.
Mary Anne's desire to help domin-
ated. She arose and approached the
pair. The old man was struggling un-
successfully with the woody cap that
had protected the haby's sunny head
and pink ears from the cold.
want any help?" Mary Anne asked,
gazing hurriedly at the baby.
Chunks has busted the string of
his bonnet the old man said, CRATE
full for the sound of feminine voice.
ut don't seem to stay put without II"
Needs pin-dont it, honey?' she
questioned of the blue eyed baby.
With quick fingers she extracted the
pin from her scant neck piece.
You're Robin yourself the old
man said. and turned his kindly eyes
upon her. And Mary Anne felt re-
warded for her theft.
'Men folks don't know much about
babies, the OLD man remarked. Me
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 I 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 fat
was emotion begetting.
Still. he glanced doubtfully at the
girls frail body and pale face.
ut would do me whole heap OF
good she said quickly, interpreting
his glance, Just to have some one
to lo-help." She gazed longingly at