The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-04-19
FRIENDS FOR MARY ANNE;
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

drive.
Mary Anne drew in deep breaths Id
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
tiny go-cart. His eyes sparkled and
were very cOntented as they rested on
the baby-hfs grandchildren the cart.
Mary Anne smiled. Perhaps 1t was q
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
to his future and hoped he would not
have to work in a 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 q 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
Vt 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. AID.
parently something had gone wrong
with the baby's 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 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 feminine voice. ut don't
seem to stay put without it."
"Needs a pin-dOn't it, honey?" 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 you?"
'"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.
1T would do me Il whole heap of
good" she said quickly, interpreting
his glance, "just to have someone to
l0-help." She gazed longingly at
Chunks. give been eating my lunch
ill alone in my room and heating my
milk ON the gas jet. That amt much
sport, is it?"
So it 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,
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
:imes," Grandy often remarked; che
1On't get home nights until SEVEN" His
kindly eyes always wore peculiar ex-
preston when he mentioned his son
and Mary Anne isnew what was behind
MS mind.
"I've baked him o special little apple
pie for his dinner tonight" Mary Anne
said shyly; Il hope he likes pie"
"He's liked everything you've done
80 far" Graniy told her. "Women
folks certainly do make home home"
1--WE mustn't think of the time when
I have to 60 back to the basement"
Mary Anne suid with swift emotion
:OlOring her cheeks. "We're good pals
you and me ana Chunks-ain't WEI"
she demanded. II just caa't bear to
think of anyone else coming in here to
fake cure Of Chunks and you."
"What about Jim?" questioned
3randy.