The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-07-28
what came co DiIIy,s House.

What Came I'D Diby's HOUSE,
Billy was perched on fence post, her
hair flying 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 trifles.
Toddles, the baby, who could not climb
the fence, contented 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 Dilly, had grown accustomed to
such discomforts.
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, aud asked: "What
makes you set up there such day as
thisl2 Why don't you go into the house
and keep warm ?"
"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, 1 can tell you, if 1 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 / 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 ?"
"My father buys em for me and the
reason yours don't get any for you is
cause they all go into Old Barney's 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 Toddles, with their
amusement of watching ended, turned
slowly away.
Oily surveyed the baby aud 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
| it.
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 I'm just sure
they can't. Mebby I've got a hood
mebby it would be nice red one, pretty
and warm. Wish L had it now. Wish
Toddles had"
She stopped, as q brilliant plan flashed
suddenly through her brain. Wouldn't
her mother be surprised if she could do
that-poor mother, who was out wash
ing, and who would be so tired when
che came home at night.
Goodies, let's do 1T" she said,
springing up excitedly. "Let's go and
zee if we can't get some OF EN-. !"
"Yah I" answered Toddles, content
ely; and, taking his hand, Oily opened
the creaking gate and led the way down
the street.
There was q 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 an
extra effort to speak distinctly, because
her heart beat so fast.
" Please, sir, have you got anything of
ours a-soak here"
There IVES an instant's silence, and
then a shout of laughter from the men.
Well, 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 q litti, ga. ,nere was no 9th
er sign that the man heard. Oily shrank
back abashed
ooh I didn't mean him."
What did you mean, then ?" asked
coarse. red-faced man, advancing from
behind the bar and speaking in tones
not at ali gentle and amiable.
"Shoes and coats and Such things"
faltered Oily. I" Hoods-I'm afraid it's
spoiled with the whisky; but mebby
ma could wash it out Wouldn't you
take some Of EN- ont of your barrel. Mr..
Barney? We need 'em avfully bad"
CT should think as much, Z" muttered
one of the bystandeIs, surveying the two
dilapidated figures, but Mr.. Barney's
wrath was rising.
"Wbat barrel Who sent you here ?"
he demanded angrilv.
Your rum BARREL" answered Oily,
standing her ground desperately, though
with little catch in her breath that was
just ready to break into sob. "Ma
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 Won had EN-