The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-12-31

dot, darling" said Mrs. Leonard.
drawing her closer and giving her one,
two and three kisses, .swhy don't YOU
want your cousins and schoolmates In
vitedf'
"Why, mamma - said Dot, looking
up with surprise, ''what did papa read
this morning in the Biblea When We
make feast do not invite your friends
or rich neighbors, for they win invite
you again; but ask the poor, the lame
and the blind. and ye shall be blessed; 30
I want Grandma Baine and Jane Hesler
and Kitty and Molly Flanagan and that
poor little boy. if we can find him"
Mamma answered, cheerily. Eve
will try. dear; he said he lived on
Water street, near the wharf. and that
his name was Tommy Dune. prom
ised to come and see his sick mother,
so we will find him perhaps in time for
New Years Day. am glad you want
to make these poor people happy,
DEAR" and as Dot jumped down to run
away and tell her dolls about it, Mrs.
Leonard said, with q happy smile,
God bless the precious child!''
The sun shone his brightest on Dots
birthday, as if he wanted to help make
the day q happy one; and had you
been so fortunate as to live opposite
DR.. Leonard's, you would have been
interested in seeing the novel company
arrive.
Dot herself went after Grandma
Baine, whose old wrinkled face fairly
sh0ne with delight, as her little guide
gently led her into the house.
Dots father went for Jane Hesler, and
carried her in his strong arms from the
carriage into the house. The little
Flannigans soon came, hand in hand.
looking shyly about at the beautiful
house and well-kept grounds.
Last of the guests was Tommy Dune,
no longer ragged and dirty, but clean
and comfortable, smiling with surprise,
as little Miss Dot came to meet him at
the front door, fearing he would 90
around to the kitchen, as before.
Indoors the happiness was complete.
Dot had decided to wear her plainest
dress, that the others should not feel
uncomfortable by contrast; but she
could not keep the dear little face from
being the sweetest in the world"
thought, as she tied back the
brown curls, and gave ker eight kisses,
and Zone to grow on
Dot had arranged the sitting-roOm
with especial reference to her friends,
as mamma thought they would feel more
at home there than in the big parlors,
and you would have liked peep in
there, know.
Grandma Baine sat in rocking chair
BY the west window, where she could
feel the sunshine, and hear Dick, the
canary, sing right above her head,
while Dot stood by, and described the
room and the company to her. Jane
aesler lay in mammals sick-chair, for
he ride had tired her little, but was
ooking happily at the beautiful things
The saw all about her. Dot had put a
title table beside the chair. with books
md a portfolio of pictures on it. for
lane to look at as soon as she was
'ested. Molly and Kitty were already
n ecstasies over the playhouse,
brought down from the nursery, and
Gould hardly believe their eyes at the
ightof dolls "dressed like rale ladies'"
s Molly sad, and the completely furn-
shed house, from looking glass to dust
an and broom.
Dot had been afraid Tommy
wouldn't feel at home," but he had
marched in with no sign of bashfulness,
nd stood by the fire taking in the COM
orts and beauties of the room with
reat satisfaction. Suddenly his eye
aught sight of picture across the
DOM. 1t was the head of a dog, the
reat intelligent eyes seeming to meet
ours with look of friendly recogni-
ion. Immediately he stood in front of
!. his face full of delight, and turning
D Jane he exclaimed, "Aint that
ully?" never seeing Dots look of
Mingled amusement and reproof.
DIR. Leonard came home to the sup
or, and helped them all to the dainties
lamma had prepared, as politely and
GENEROUSLY as if they had been the I,
residents family; and they all went
ONE with something to remind them
n the morrow of their holiday.
And little Dot was happy.
To be sure, one of the little Flanni-
ans broke her dolls rocking chair,
nd Tommy soiled one of her prettiest
icture- books. .'But," said Dot, as
he and mamma were talking it over at
edtime, 81 know they had good
me, and l am glad 1 asked them. Do
ou know, mamma, I kept hoping all j
le time that L might he one of the
essed. '"--YoutHs Companion.