A LITTLE ORDPHAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1926, Page 1

A LITTLE ORDPHAN.

PAEKAKAIMKI FATALITY RECALLED. A CHILD’S WEARY' WAIT. WELLINGTON, Mnrch 12. Propped comfortably up in bed between cushions, with picture hooks and toys all scattered round her, a little six-year-old girl waits anxiously in the children's ward of the Wellington Hospital for her mother and father to come ami take her away. “I’m better now, imrsey,” the child murmurs, “so can’t I go?’’

“No, not yet dear,” answers the nurse softly as she bends down and kisses the childish tears away. “It won’t be long, though. YVill ii, oilF”

“Oh, I don’t know,” answers the child, wistfully, drawing up her little mouth, which quivers. “Aon see. I've been here a. long time now, nurse, haven’t 1?” Then she becomes silent for a moment, lost in thought. The next instant she is asking for her mother again. “YATiere’s mummy, imrsey? Where is sho?”

“She’s coming soon, dear.” “And will she 'bring daddy with her ?” “AVliv, of course,” says the nurse. “Of course.” “Then I wish mummy would hurry tip,” answers the child. “For I want them—they have never toft me so long before.”

But. the little one wlu> waits for her mother and father to come and take her away will never see them again in this world. They are dead and buried . . but she does not know this, and keeps asking for them. Her name is Esther .Marie Fordlmm, and she is the sole survivor of the l’aekakai'iki fatality, which occurred at Ale Kay’s crossing on the afternoon of February 26 last. “She's one of the sweetest little things we-vo ever seen,” said a nurse yesterday. “She never grumbles ; Really she doesn’t. Oi course, the pool' little tiling wants her mother and father.” The nurse sighed. “She thinks they are coining to take her :iwav any (lay now.”

The young patient is attended by Dr Austin. She says she loves bint. Tie’s snrli a good man. Slip nails him Unelo Doe., ami says she will marry liim when she grows up To be a big girl. Everything That, can be done is done for the unfortunate little one by those at the hospital. She is given picture books and magazines to read, while all the other little ones around make things lively. Once or twice tile subject of the smash lias been approached. Of that Iragedv. however, the child can speak hut little. All she knows of the smash is that she . was having a motor ride. It "'as a lovely day, am she was looking at things about her. Then suddenly there, was a loud noise, she savs, and she woke up. That was in the hospital. Strange fares frightened her. She began to cry. Tint the nurses and doctors, wore, all so good that she. soon settled down and won their sympathy. Now she asks tor chocolates. “Mummy used to give me chocolates, anyway,” she said the othc ,l;iv. “and so used daddy. Yesterday afternoon Sergeant Scott „r t ;| 10 Wellington South police, went, out and saw her. Tie is n constant visitor. Every time she sees lmu < otn- ,,, she rets excited. TTe is one of lie favourites. Ho takes her fruit and chocolates and tells her about the man in the moon, and how the tan o nhv i In-ir harps in Hoa\en. coiiio sometimes uh«*n ho has <>

""'Occasionally at night, when hv 'an unpleasant memory :m ahi m.d '. . , p round her. from a dream, mows I<T and (hen falls on the bed cal ng on loirs for “mummy. ■} " nl -' 1 , and particular care ft I” ‘llio'.illlo orpW eventuiidy fn'd" ,!" mo n nd see firms. il l -li ran to .f, Esther will remain ,n'he liossees lit. i.m lorn' - before day. and it will not be on^ has had the heart to tell hei 5 •