The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-08-04

s Nhy, what are you doing, my chiid2 she said;
He answered, 8 Use pulling basting-fread!n
Hide Aagaks.
what Came to DilIy,s House.
Billy was perched on a fence. post, her
hair hving about her face, as usual, and
her little red hands clasped behind her
back. The three or four small toes that
peeped out through her ragged shoes
were red also, for the autumn day was
cold; but Oily was used to such trifes.
Toddles, the baby, who could not climb
the fence, contentea himself with look
ing through. He was bundled up-in
en- odd fashion of Dilly's own inventing
in an old shawl; and, if the round
face that peered between the fence rails
was roughened by the chill wind, he,
like Oily, had grown accustomed to
such discomforts.
It occurred to Freddy Burr, in the
next yard, however, that their situation
was scarcely agreeable. He looked up
from the stick he was trying to split with
his new Ratchet, and asked: "What
makes you set up there such day as
this? Why don't you go into the house
and keep warm p
"'Cause I'd rather stay here and watch
you, said Oily. "'Tain't no fun in the
house."
"Well, I wouldn't think it was any
fun out here, L can tell you, if I didn't
have a warm coat and scarf, and these
thick boots, " remarked Freddy, display
ing the pair of red tops that were his
pride.
Oily looked at them and an old, vague
wonder awoke as she did SO, and grew
more and more distinct, until, presently,
it took shape in words:
:" Why don't I have such things, too,
Freddy Burr-shoes and new clothes,
and something to wear on my head ?"
'"Cause your father drinks 'em up"
answered Freddy, promptly, and with
out the slightest hesitation In disclosing
the truth.
Oily pondered a moment and as
promptly denied.
"No he don't either. Folks can't
drink such things. Where do you get
yours p
"My father buys 'em for me and the
reason yours don't get any for you is
cause they all go into Old Barneys rum
barrels, down at the corner. That's the
way Of it, true as you live, Oily Keene,
and its awful mean, too" declared
Freddy, growing indignant as he ex-
planned.
Then voice from the pretty house
beyond called Freddy, and he ran in,
while Oily and Poddles, with their
amusement of watching ended, turned
slowly away.
Oily surveyed the baby and herself
thoughtfully, and sat down upon an old
log to mediate.
If what Freddy Burr had told her was
true, something ought to be done about
1t.
And the longer she pondered the more
fully she became convinced that she had
heard the truth.
"'Cause other folks has things and
we don't, and it must be ours go some
where else" she reasoned. '"They can't
be any good there either. Tn Just sure
they can't. Mebby I've got hood
mebby it would be a nice red one, pretty
and warm. Wish [ had it now Wish
IOddleS had
She stopped, as brilliant plan flashed
suddenly through her brain. Wouldn't
her mother be surprised if she could dc
that-poor mother, who was out wash
ing, and who would be so tired when
she came home at night
"Toddles, let's do itp she said,
springing up excitedly. Lets go and
see if we can't get some of 'em."
"Yah p answered Toddles, content
ely and, taking his hand, Oily opened
the creaking gate and led the way down
the street.
There was number of men In the
store at the corner-a queer store with
curtain across the lower half of the
front window. Oily saw them as the
door opened, but she was determined
little body, when once she had decided
upon the proper thing to do. So she
only clasped Toddles' hand closer, and
walking up to the counter, making al
extra effort to speak distinctly, because
her heart beat so fast.
"Please, sir, have you got anything o.
ours soak here %
There was an instant's silence, anC
then shout of laughter from the men
Swell, now, that's neat way of put
ting 1t. Hey, Keene, these youngsters
of yours wants to know If Barney has
you in soak here"
An old SLOUGH hat behind the stove
was raised a little, but there was no 9th
ensign that the man heard. Oily shrank
back abashed.
"Oh !! didn't mean him. .
What did YOU mean, then ;" asked a
coarse, redfaced man, advancing from
behind the bar and speaking in tones
not at ali gentle and amiable.
"Shoes and coats and Such things, -
faltered Oily. Hoods-Tm afraid it's
snoiled with the whisky but mebby
ma could wash it out. Wouldn't you
take some Of EN- out Of your barrel, Mr..
Barney? We need 'em awfully bad"
+" I should think as much, muttered
one Of the bystande1s, surveying tbetwo
dilapidated figures, but Mr.. Barney's
wrath was rising.
"Wbat barrel? Who sent you here ?"
he demanded angrily.
"Your rum barrel" answered Oily,
standing her ground desperately, though
with little catch in her breath that was
just ready to break into a sob. "Ma
works all the time, and she looks so
sorry ; and we don't have any nice din
ners at our house, like Freddy Burr's
and no new shoes, nor caps, nor any
thing ] asked Freddy where our good
things went to, cause they don't come
to our house, and he said you had 'em
down here in your barrels. Please do
take some of 'em out, Mr.. Barney. I'm
sure it can't make anybody's drink taste
a bit better to have poor little boys
and girls new shoes and dresses and
everything in the barrel"
You are right there, Sissy, it's nigh
about spoiled the taste of mine," said
one of the group at the counter, putting
down his glass with queer, perplexed
look.
But there was no perplexity in the
bar-keeper's look. That was wrathful
"We'ye had enough Of this nonsense
Now you leave, you young ragmufins,
as fast as your feet will carry you, and
never let me catch you inside these doors
again"
He stepped toward them, as if to drive
them out, but the man behind the stove
suddan1v arosa