The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-08

"Dot, darling" said Mrs. Leonard,
drawing her closer and giving her one,
two and three kisses, ''why don't you
want your cousins and schoolmates in
vitedP'
"Why, mamma" said Dot, looking
up with surprise, "what did papa read
this morning in the Bible? When We
make feast do rot invite your friends
or rich neighbors, for they will invite
| you again; but ask the poor, the lame
l want Grandma Baine and Jane Hesler
and Kitty and Molly Flanagan and that
poor little boy, If we can find him.
Mamma answered, cheerily, ave
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. l 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 happy smile,
"God bless the precious childr'
The sun shone his brightest on Dots
birthday, as if he wanted to help make
The day a 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
shone 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 go
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"
mamma 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
Hesler lay in mammals sick-chair, for
the ride had tired her little, but was
looking happily at the beautiful things
she saw all about her. Dot had put a
little table beside the chair, with books
and portfolio of pictures on it, for
, Jane to look at as soon as she was
rested. Molly and Kitty were already
in ecstases over the playhouse,
brought down from the nursery, and
could hardly believe their eyes at the
sight of dolls "dressed like rale ladies'"
! as Molly said, and the completely furn-
/ ished house, from lookingglass to dust
pan and broom.
) Dot had been afraid Tommy
"wouldn't feel at home,' but he had
marched in with no sign of bashfulness,
, and stood by the fire taking in the com
: forts and beauties of the room with
} great satisfaction. Suddenly his eye
caught sight of picture across the
room. 1t was the head of dog, the
great intelligent eyes seeming to meet
: yours with a look of friendly recogni-
ton. Immediately he stood in front OF
it, his face full of delight, and turning
to Jane he exclaimed, "Aint that
bullyP" never seeing Dots look OF
mingled amusement and reproof.
DR.. Leonard came home to the sup
per, and helped them ali to the dainties
mamma had prepared, as politely and
generously as if they had been the
, Presidents family; and they all went
home with something to remind them
on the morrow of their holiday.
And little Dot was happy.
To be sure, one of the little Flanni.
gans broke her dolls rocking-chair,
and Tommy soiled one of her prettiest
picture books. But" said Dot, as
she and mamma were talking it over at
bedtime, Il know they had a good
time, and am glad l asked them. Do
you know, mamma, 1 kept hoping all
the time that l might he one Of the
blessed "--Y Youths Companion.
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