Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-03-20
FRIENDS FOR MARY anne
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

| OrlNc.
Mary Anne drew In deep breaths o.
II. The doctor had ordered that sh,
get as much fresh air into her system
as possible during her enforced free
dom from the basement in which sh,
sold household utensils. Her scan
clothing was all too thin for so cold d
day, but the clear air was invigorating
Coming toward her on the path an
old man came slowly along wheeling q
tiny go-cart. His eyes sparkled and
were very contented as they rested on
the baby-his grandchildren the cart.
II Mary Anne smiled. Perhaps 1t was(n
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 specuiated 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
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 gettln' 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 baby's fittings. Mary Anne
watched interestedly.
The progress of the two was certain
ly 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 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. eft don't
seem to stay put without 1t"
"Needs a pin-don't il, honey?" she
questioned ~ the 0lue-eyed baby. With
quick fingers she extracted the pin
from her scant neck piece. W
"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" Ii
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
Job tears of sympathy for Chunks and
he two helpless men who tried to be
'ather, 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.
at would do me a whole heap of
good" she said quickly, interpreting
his glance, "just to have someone to
lo-help." She gazed longingly at
Chunks. "Tve been eating my lunch
all alone in my room and heating my
milk on the gas jet. That amt much ]
sport, is lit" Ia
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 J
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: she
don't get home nights until seven" His
kindly eyes always wore a peculiar ex-
preston when he mentioned his son
and Mary Anne knew what was behind
his mind. .'''4 H..
1--WE baked him special little apple
Pile for his dinner tonight" Mary Anne
said shyly; II hope he likes pie.r
Hes liked Everything you've done
30 y far" Grandy told her. women
folks certainly do make home home"
I'VE mustn't think Of the time when
have to go back to the basement"
Mary Anne said with swift emotion
her cheeks. "We're good pals
you and me and Chunks-ain't wei"
she demanded. II just can't bear to
think Of anyone else coming In here to
take care Of Chunks and you"
''What about JIM" questioned
Grandy.