Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-08-01
WHAT CAME TO DILLY'S HOUSE.
NATE W. HAMILTON.

were red aS0, Tor the autumn day was
cold but billy was used to such trihes.
TOddles, tie baby. who could not climb
the fence, contented himself with looking
through. He was bundled up-in an
odd fashion, of Dilly's inven,ion--in an
old shawl: and, if the round face that
peered between the fence rails was
roughened by the chill wind, he, like
Dilly, and grown accustomed To such dis
comforts.
IL occurred to Freddy Burr, in the next
ward. however, that their situation was
scarcely agreeable lie looked up from
the stick he was trying to split with his
new hatchet, and asked "what makes
you 81, up there such day as this
Why don't YOU go into the house and
keep warm =
"CauSe I'd rather stay here and watch
you, said Dilly, sernely. faint no
fun in the house"
well, wouldn't think it was any
fun out here, can tell YOU, il didn't
have i warm coat and scarf, and these
thick boots, remarked Freddy, display
ing the pair Of red tops that were his
pride
Dilly looked at them, and an old,
vague wonder awoke as she did so, and
grew more and distinct. until, presently
it took shape in words:
why don't 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 without
the slighes, hesitation in disclosing the
truth.
Oily pondered a moment and as
promptly denied.
mo he don't, either. Folks can't
drink such things. Where do YOU get
yours =
"My father buys EN- for me and the
reason yours don't get any for YOU is
cause they all 90 into old Barneys rum
barrels, down at the corner. That's the
way of it, true as YOU live, Dilly keene,
and lis awful mean, too :" declared
Freddy, growing indignant as he ex-
planned.
Then voice from the pretty house be-
yond called Freddy. and he ran in, while
Dily and Toddles. with their amuse-
ment Of watching ended, turned slowly
away.
Oily surveyed the baby and herself
,houghtfully, and sat down upon an old
log TO mediate.
If what Freddy Burr had told her was
true, something ought to be done about
il.
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 60 somewhere
else" she reasoned. They can't be
any good there either. I'm just sure
they can't. Mebby I've got hood
mebby it would be nice red one pretty
and warm. Wish had it now, Wish
Toddles had"
She stopped, as a brilliant plan dash
ed suddenly through her brain. Wouldn't
her mothei be surprised, if she could do
that-poor mother, who was out washing
and who would be so tired when she
came home at night.
"Toddles, let's do it - she said, sprng-
ing up excitedly. Lets 90 and see if
We can't get some Of en-"
.Yah ~ answered Toddles, contented-
| ly and ;aking his hand Dilly opened
the creaking gate and led the way down
the street.
There were a number of men in the
store at the corner queer store with
A curtain across the lower half Of the front
window. Dilly saw them when 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 little closer
and walked in and up to the counter,
making an extra effort to speak distinctly
because her heart beat so fast.
please, sir, have you got anything
of ours a-soak here ::
There was an instants silence, and
hen shout of laughter from the men.
"well, now, that's neat way of put
ting it. Hey, keene. these youngsters
of yours want to know if Barney has
YOU in soak here.
An old slouched hat behind the stove
was raised a little, but there was no 9th.
or sign that the man heard. Dilly
shrank back abashed.
"Oh! / didn't mean him."
What did you mean, then :" asked
coarse. red-faeed man, advancing from