The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1917-05-03
| FRIENDS FOR MARY ANNE
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

| a clear, cOlu VIM CURED AROUND ana
about the twisted bypaths on Riverside
| drive.
Mary Anne drew in deep breaths of
| 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 III 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 grandchild-in the cart.
Mary Anne smiled. Perhaps it was
wistful smile. She had no one Of her
own to love-no one to minister to.
"Ain't it awful-bein' alone?" 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
70 his future and hoped he would not
| have to work In d basement and thus
lose MS cOlOr.
life amt worth much-workin' in
a basement" she supplemented her
| thought. "Guess I'd "a croaked 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 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. APP
| parently something had gone wrong
with the babys fittings. Mary Anne
watched interestedly.
The progress of the two was certain
~ suspended. Mary Anne wondered
if she could be of any assistance. The
old man seemed perturbed. The baby
was getting fretful.
Mary Anne's desire to help domi-
mated. She arose and approached the
pair.
"Want any help2" 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 pin-don't 1t, honeyW she
questioned of the blue-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
amt got no mother-do your"
That's just the case," he told her.
''My sons wife died and left ne 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
l come over and help a 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 frall body and pale face.
at would do me u whole heap Of
good" she said quickly, interpreting
his glance, "Just to have someone to
lo-help." She gazed longingly at
| Chunks. "Ive 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
Chunks and Grandy, as she called him,
met on the drive, had their long health
| giving walk and romp in the fresh air,
then went to the tiny fiat and 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
| times" Grandy often remarked; che
don't get home nights until seven" His
kindly eyes always wore peculiar ex-
preston when he mentioned his son
and Mary Anne knew what was behind
his mind.
"Ive baked him special little apple
pie for his dinner tonight" Mary Anne
said shyly; 81 hope he likes pie"
Hes liked everything you've done
so far" Grandy told her. "Women
| folks certainly do make home home"
"We mustn't think Of the time when
1 have to go back to the basement"
Mary Anne said with swift emotion
cooring her cheeks. "We're good pals
you and me and Chunks-aint we?'
she demanded. 81 just can't bear to
think of anyone else coming In here to
take care of Chunks and you"
"What about Jim?" questioned
Grandy.
"Oh, Jim--Jim seems happy enough
taking care of himself" Mary Anne
said a trine wistfully.
"That's just where you're wrong"
Grandy told her gently. "Jlms the
biggest baby of the lot. He's dyln' of
love for you, Mary Anne, and he lacks
the courage to tell you. He thinks
1 al