The Benton weekly record., 1882-08-03
D1LLY'S DISCOVER Z .

and her little red hands clasped behind s1er
back. The three or four small toes that
peeped out through her ragged shoes were
red also, for the autumn day was cold; but
Dilly was used to such tribes. Toddles,
the baby, who could not climb the fence,
contented himself with looking through.
He was bundled up~in an odd fashion OF
Dilly's owu invention--in All old shawl !;
and If the round face that peered between
the fence rails was roughened By the chill
wind, he, like Dilly, had grown accuston1-
ed to suoh diseomforts.
1t occurred 70 Freddy Burr, In the next
yard, however, that their situation was
scarcely agreeable. He looked up from
the stick he was trying 10 split with his
new Ratchet, and asked: "What makes
you sit up there such day az thisP Why
don't you 80 into the house and keep
warm ~
swell, wouldn't think Ii was any fun
out here, can tell you, If didn't have q
warm coatand scarf and these thick boots, ''
remarked Freddie, displaying the pair Of
red tops that were his pride.
Dilly looked at them, and an old, vague
wonder awoke rs she did so, and grew
more and more distinct, until, presently, it
took shape in words:
sSWhy don't have such things, too,
Freddie Burr-shoes and new clothes and
something to wear on my head ?"
s"Cause your father drinka 'em up,"
answered Freddie promptly, and without
the slightest hesitation In disclosing the
truth.
DiIlie pondered a moment and as prompt
ly denied.
S'No he don't either. Folks can't drink
such things. Where do you get yours?"
sSMy father buys 'esn for me; and the
reason yours don't get any for you is calae
they all go into old Barney's rum barrels,
down at the corner. That's the way Of Ii,
true as you live, Dil1ie Ksene, and its aw-
ful mean, too," declared Freddie, grow
Ing indignant as he explained.
Then voice from the pretty house be-
yond called Freddy, and he ran In, while
Dilly aud Toddles, with their amusement
OF watching ended. turned slowly away.
Duly surveyed herself and the baby
thoughtfully, and sat down upon an old
log to mediate.
II what Freddy Burr had told f1er was
true, something ought TO be done about 1t.
And the longer she pcndered the more
fully she became convinced that she had
heard the truth.
f'Cause other folks has things and we
don't, snd 1t must be ours 60 somewhere
else" che 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 1t now. Wish Toddles had"
She stopped, az brilliant plan flashed |
suddenly through her brain. Wouldn't her
mother be surprised it she could do that
poor mother, who was out washing, and
who would be so tired when she came home
Mt night.
'sToddles, let's do iti', she said, SPRING
ing up, excitedly. "Let's 90 and see If we
can't get some of 'em.''
t'Yah ~ answered Toddles, contentedly.
and taking his hand Dilly 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 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 abe had decided upon the proper
thing to do. She only claaped Toddles'
hand closer, and walked in and up to the
making al extra effort to speak
plainly, because her heart beat 80 fast.
Please, air, have you got anything Of
1urs a-soak here?"
There was an tnstant's silence, and then
! shout Of laughter from the men.
Well, now, that's neat way Of putting
{. Hey, Keene, these youngsters Of yours
wants to know If Barney has you in soak
1ere.n Il
An old slouct hat behind the stove Was
aised little, but there waa no other sign
hat the man heard. Dillv shrank back
dashed.
'SOh ! didn't mean him.
"Whet cid you mean then - asked i !
oarse, red faced man, advancing from be-
lind the bar and speaking In tones not at t
II gentle and amiable.
"