The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-04-05
FRIENDS FOR MARY anne:
By DOROTHY. DOUGLAS.

a clear, cold wind curlcd around and
about the twisted bypaths on Riverside
drive.
Mary Anne drew in deep breaths If
1t. 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 g"-c;'rt. His eyes sparklcd and
wer" Very contented as they rested on
tho hahy-his grandchild-in the cart.
Mary Anne smiled. Perhaps it was
wisttul smile. She had no one of her
own 10 love-no one to minister to.
"Ail't it awful-bein' alone?' she re.
marked to herself.
The old man and the baby trundfed
nearer The baby's cheeks We're like
red apples. Mary Anne specialized as
to his future and hoped he would not
lose his color.
"l-ife ain't worth mucll-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 pontlered
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
VI department store management, she
should be down in the basement selling
cl"'hrspins or tea pots to testy Gus.
toners.
And I'm gcttin' my six per-just the
same Altogether, Mary Anne felt
that she had much to be thankful for.
The old man stopped suddenly. Ap.
parrn'ly something had gone wrong
with the baby's fittings. Mary Anne
watched interestc.lly.
Tho progress of the two was certain
ly suspended. Mary Anne wondered
if she could be of any assistance. The
old man seemed perturbcd. 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 ut the baby.
Chunks has busted the string off his
h"nnrt," the old man said, grateful for
he sound Of n feminine voice. ut don't
seem to stay put without it,
Needs IL pin-dOn't it, honey?" she
questioned of the bluc-eyed baby. With
quick fingers she extracted the pin
from her scant neck piece.
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
nint got no mOther-do you?"
"rhat'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 Il bit. can wash
and cook and mend Chunks clothes"
4 warm glow sufruscd the old mans
face. The very thought of wo,nanly
hands pottering about the tiny flat was
emotion begetting.
Still he glanced doubtfully at the
girls fr:il body and pale face.
ut would do me whole heap of
good" she said quickly, interpreting
his glance, lust to have someone to
lo-help." She gazed longingly at
Chunks. 'lve been eating my lunch
all alone in my room and heating my
milk On the gas jet. That amt much
sport, is it?"
So 1t was that Mary Anne pulled her
self into paradise by the power Of her
helping hands. Each day she and
Chunks and Grandy, as she called him,
net on the drive. had their long health
giving walk and romp in the fresh air,
hen went to the tiny fiat apd cooked
lunch. 1t was like holiday to Mary
Anne. She also found time to mend
and darn for Grandy and jim.
"Jim wishes he was in ON our good
:imcs," Grandy often remarked; che
lon't get home nights until SEVEN" His
Kindly eyes always wore Il peculiar eX-
preston when he mentioned his son
and Mary Anne knew what was behind
MS mind.
'1've baked him special little apple
pie for his dinner tonight" Mary Anne
said shyly; Il lol+c lie likes pie
'IIe's liked everything you've done
so far" GrnGy told her. "Womcn
.olks certainly do make home home"
"We mustn't think Of the time when
have to go back to the basement"
Mary Anne said with swift emotion
,OlOring her cheeks. "We're good pals
you and me ana Chunks-ain't veg"
she demanded. II just cant bear to
think of anyone else coming in here to
Jake care Of Chunks and you"
"What about Jim?" questioned
1randy.
"Oh. Jim-Jim seems happy enough
taking care of hhnself," Mary Anne
said Il triAe wistfully.