Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-07

RANDMA POLLY read Car
lotta's letter with n sigh. Car
r lotta was her youngest sons
~ wife. She had written to say
that viii was being sent South
on an important business matter and
wanted her TO accompany him, but
they could not take Edward. aged 4.
And Annie. the maid who had been
with Carlotta since Edwards birth.
was leaving. for some unexplained
reason. So there IL was. Carlotta
must stay at home and miss her trip
unless grandma would consent to
come and take care of Edward.
Grandma Polly had not been away
from her house a single day in year
and she did not want to leave IL now.
But she was an old.fashioned mother,
who always did all she could to pro-
mote the comfort and best interests
of her children. SO she arose from
her old rocker with its patchwork
cushion and proceeded to pack her
neat suit case. Next morning early
she started upon her journey.
It was pleasant journey. lasting
some hours. and Grandma Polly, gag
ing at the panorama outside her win.
dow, was almost glad of the necessity
that had snatched her out of her
nome and set new sights before her.
Across the aisle was young mother
with dear little golden-haired boy.
Grandma Polly made friends with the
little boy and his mother.
MY little grandson Edward il Just
the age Of your child" she said. II
am going TO take care of him for a
couple of weeks while Will and Car.
lotta are away on q trip
How nice that will be for you and
Edward! replied the Eolden.haired
boys mother, and she looked tenderly
at the tiny old lady. who was so sweet
dainty II a bit old fashioned, with
her eyes just the color of the forget.
me-nots that nodded on her hat.
Will met his mother at the station
and took her home. There was Just
an hour before their departure. Ed.
ward was asleep. Grandma Polly
looked at him and smiled lovingly.
He was so fat and dimpled and dear.
more like Carlotta than win, but she
loved him no less on that account.
Now. mother" said Carlotta, "yo,i
won't have to do thing but look
after Edward and get your own meals
I've hired Mrs. Crum TO come in every
work. Buy everything you wish; order
over the telephone and have 1t charged
10 Will IL you need q doctor--but
you won't. Still, have written down
few important numbers on the card
and tied them TO the telephone. Oh,
dearl ] am so glad you'va come. I
shall feel so safe about Edward" She
kissed Grandma Polly's pink cheek.
Edward awakened i'm time to see his
parents depart. He had not seen his
grandmother in two years and she
meant nothing to him. He concen.
trated upon the fact that his mother
was leaving him. Opening his mouth
wide, he gave an appalling shrek. II
won't yet my mover weave me-" he
walled. He fastened upon Cariotta
like barnacle. VIII forcibly removed
him. Then he ran as for dear life
and Cariotta ran after him. So they
escaped. leaving Grandma Polly and
Edward alone together.
Grandma Polly had raised four sons
and had been more or less intimate
with many other children, but she
had never known a parsonage like
Edward. Before two hours had passed
she understood why Carlofta had
needed vacation. She also under
| stood why Annie had given up hei
good Job. She herself had tried ever,
persuasive method she knew. with
out avail. Edward. IL seemed, had
three sizes OF tantrums. The first con
sisted OF howls. the second of passion
ate tears and the third of suiks
| marked by a stoiid indifference Il
everything, even his food
II was weary little grandmother
that crept to bed that night. Car
iotts's urgent plea that a child mus,
develop naturally rang In her ear,
along with Edwards shrieks and
howis. il was long time before she
slept.
Next morning brought Mrs. Crum
young woman with Irish eyes and
friendly smile.
And how are you making out with
the little chap" asked Mrs. Crum.
We'll. Of course. we are not realI,
acquainted yet" Grandma Polly said