River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-10-12
WHAT CAME TO DILLY'S HOUSE.

N-S
in the shock.
-A,tianapolis Journal
WHAT CAME TO DILLY'S HOUSE.
Dilly was perched on q fence-post, her
light hair flying about her face as usual,
and her little red hands ciasped behind
her back. The three or four small
toes that peeped out through her rag
ged 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, contented
himself with looking through. He was
bundled up-in an old fashion of Dilly's
own inventing-in an old shawl; and,
if the round face that peered through
the fence rails was rOughened by the
chill wind, he, like Daily had grown &C
customed TO such discomforts.
1t occurred TO Freddie Burr, in the
next yard, however, that their situation
was sea cely ageeable. He looked up
from the stick he was trying to s.lit
with his new Ratchet, and asked:
"What makes you sit up there such a
day as this Why don't you go into
the house and keep warm?'
"Cluse I'd rather stay here and
watch you," said Oily serenity. "Taint
no fun in the house"
"Well, | wouldn't think it was any
fun out here, can tell you, if | didn't
have a warm coat and scarf and these
thick boots" remarked Freddie, dis
playing 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,
pre- emily, it took shape into words:
"Why don't / have such things, too,
Freddie Burr-shoes and new clothes,
and something to wear on my head p
"Cause your father drinks 'em up"
answered Freddie promptly and with
out the slightest hesitation in disclos-
ing the truth.
billy pondered moment and as
promptly denied.
"No, ne don't either; folks can't
drink such things. Where do you get
ours p
"My father buys 'em for me; and
the reason why yours don't get any for
you is cause they all go into old Bar
ney's rum barrels, down at the coroner.
That's the way of it, true as you live,
Oily Keene, and it is awful mean too p
declared Freddie growing indignant as
he explained.
Then voice from a pretty house
beyond called Freddie and he ran in,
while Oily and Toddles, 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.
Ifwhat Freddie Burr had told he-
was true, something ought to be done
about it.
And the longer she pondered the
more fully she became convinced that
she had beard 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. I'm
Just sure they can't. Mebbe I've got
hood-mebbe it would be a nice red
one, pretty warm. Wish had it now.
Wish Toddles had"
She stopped as brilliant plan dashed
suddenly through her brain. Wouldn't
her mother 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, spring
ing up excitedly. Lets go and see if
we can't get some of EN-"
'Yah," answered Toddles cOntented-
~; and taking his hand Oily opened
the creaking gate and led the way
down the street.
There were a number of men in the
store on the corner queer store with
a curtin across the lower half of the
front window. billy saw them when
the door opened, but she was deter
mined little body, when once she had
decided upon the proper thing to do.
So she only clasped Toddle's hand
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
then a shout Of laughter from the
men.
"Wen. now, that's neat way of put
ting it. Hey, Keene, these youngsters
of yours want 10 know if Barney has
you in soak here.
An old SLOUGH hat behind the stove
was raised little, but there was no
other sign that the man had heard.
Dilly shrank back abashed.
con | didn't mean him."
"What did you mean, them" ask ed
a coarse, red-faced man, advance ng
from behind the bar, speaking in tones
not at all gentle and amiable.
''Shoes ana coats and such things"
faltered Oily. "Hoods-Im 'fraid Its
spoiled with whiskey; but mebby ma
coulI wash it out Wouldn't you take
Barney? We need 'em awful bad"
81 should think as much" muttered
one of the bystanders, surveying the
dilapidated figures; but Mr.. Barney's
wrath was rising.
''What 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
dinners at our house, like Freddie Burr's
and no new shoes, nor caps nor any
thing. | asked Freddie where our good
things went to, cause they don't come
10 our mouse, ana ne Salu you utu en-
down here in your barrels. Please do
take some of 'em out, Mr.. Barney. I'm
sure it can't make any body's drink
taste bit better { have a poor little
boys and girls new shoes and dresses
and everything in the barrel"
''Your 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 a queer, perplexed
COX.
But there was no perplexity in the
barkeeper's look. That WAS wrathfuL
We've had enough Of that nonsensei
Now you leave, you young raggmuffins,
as fast as your feet viii 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 suddenly arose.
"Take care, Barney You'd better
not touch them. You have knocked
me about often enough. but you'd best
lei them alone"
There was fire in the eyes under the