The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1882-11-24
WHAT CAME 70 pILLYs HOUSE.

ana her little red hands clasped behiud her
back. The three or four small toes that
pecped out through her ragged shoes were
red, also, for the autumn day was cold; but
Di.ly was used to such tribes. Toddles, the
baby, who could not climb the fence, ccu
tented himself with looking through. He
was Sbundled up-in IN odd fashion, of Dlly's
own iuveuting--in an old shawl and if the
round face that pee.ed between the fence.
rails was roushcncd by the chill wind, he,
like Dilly, had grown accustomed to such
dscomiorts.
1t 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 sit up there such day
as this! Why don't you so into the house
and keep warm ?"
"Cause I'd rather stay here and watch
you,' said Dilly, screncly "Taiu't no tun
in the house."
"Well, | wouldn't think it was any fun
out here, can tell you, if didn't have
warm coat and scarf and these thick boots, !"
remarked Ere Idly, displaying the pair ofrcd
tops that were his pride.
Dlly loo5 cd at them, and an old vague
wonder awoke as she did so, and grew more
distinct, until presently it took shape in
words:
''Why don't have such good things, too,
Freddy Burr-shoes and new clothes aud
something to wear OH my head %
Cause your father drinks 'em up" an
swered Freddy, promptly, and without the
slightest hesitation in disclosing the truth.
Dilly pondered a moment and as promptly
denied,
"No, he don't, either. Folks can't drink
such things. Where do you get yours ?'
My father buys 'cm for me ;and the rca-
sou yours don't get any for you is cause
they all so into old Barney's rum barrels,
down at the corner That's the way of it,
true as you live, Di'y kccnc; and it's aw-
sul mean, :" declared Freddy, growing
indignant, as he cxplaided
Then voice from the pretty house bcy-
ond called Freddy; and he ran in, while
Dilly and Toddlcs, with their amusement of
watching ended, turned slowly away Dilly
surveyed the baby and hcrscllthoughtfully,
and sat down upon an old log to mediate
If what Freddy Burr had told her was true
something ought to be done about it, and
the longer she pondercd 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 somewhere
elsc," she reasoned. They cant be any
good there either. I'm just sure they can't.
Mebby I've got a hood-mebby it would be
nice red one, pretty and warm. Wish |
had it now. Wish Toddles had
She stopped, as brilliant plan flashed
suddenly through her brain. Wouldn't her
mother be surprised, if she could DO that
poor mother, who was out washiog, and who
woull be so tired when she came home at
night.
"Toddles, let's do it :" she said, springing
up, excitedly. Lets go an see if we can
get some of 'em."
YAH y answered Toddles, contentedy
and taking his hand, Oily opened the
crcaking gate and led the way down the
street.
There were a number Of men in the store
at the corncr-a queer store, with q curtain
across the lower half of it's front window.
Dlly saw them when the door opened; but
she was dete rmncd little body, when once
she had decided upon the proper thing to
do So she only claspcd Toddlcs's hand
closer, aud 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 soak here 2"
There was an instant's silence, and then
a shout Cf laughter from the men
"Well, now, that's neat way of putting
it. Hey, kecne, these youngsters of yours
want to know if Barney has you in soak
here? ?"
An old souchcd hat behind the stove
was raised a little, but there was no other
sign that the man heard. Dilly shrank
back abashed
''Oh didn't mean him."
What did you mean, then 2" asked
coarse, red,faccd man, advancing from be.
hind the bar, and speaking in tones not at
Ill IL. L