Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-08-09


had decided upoa tho proper thlag to
do So she only clasped Toddle's
hand closer, and walked In and up to
tho counter, making an extra effort to
speak distinctly, because her heart beat
80 fast.
please, sir, you have got anything
Of ours a.soak hep
There was an instances silence, and
then shout of laughter from tho men,
well, now, that's neat way OF
putting it, Hoy, Kccnc, these young
stcr of yours want to know It Barney
has you in soak hercT
An old slouchcd hat behind tho stove
was raised little, but there was no
other sign that tho man heard Dilly
shrauk back abashod,
oh! didn't mean him,
What did you mean, thcnT asked n
coarse, red.fnccd man, advancing from
behind the bar aud speaking in tones
not all gentle or amiablc.
'Shocs aud coats and such things,
faltered Dilly. 'Iloods-l'm 'iraid
it's spoiled with the whisky; but mcb-
by Ma could wash il out, Wouldn't
you take some Of 'em ont of your bur-
rel, Mr.. Barney! We need 'em awful
bad.
i should think rs much, muttcrca
one of the bystandcrs, surveying the
two dilapidalcd figures; but Mr.
Barncy's wrath was rising
what barrel? Who sent you hercT
he demanded, angrily.
sYour rum.barrel,' aswercd Dilly,
standing her ground desperately, tho
with little catch in her breath, that
was Just ready to break into sob.-
Ma works hard all the time, and she
looks so sorry; and we don't have any
nice dinners at our house, like Freddy
Burr's; and no new shoes, nor caps,
nor anything. | asked Freddy where
our good things went to, cause they
don't come to our house; and he said
YOU had 'em down here in your barrels.
Please, do, take some of 'em out, Mr..
Barney. Pm sure it cant make any
body's drink taste bit better to have
a poor little boys and girls new shoes
and dresses and everything in the
barrel
You're 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 queer, perplexed
look.
But there was no perplexity in
the barkcepcr's look. That was wrath
full. We've had enough of this nom
sense! Now, you Leave you young
racomuffins, as fast as your feet will
carry you, and never let me catch you
inside these doors again.
He stepped toward them, as ifto
drive them out but the man behind
the stove suddenly arose.
"Take care, Barney! You'd better
not touch them. You've knocked me
about often enough, but you'd best let
them alone There was fire in the
eyes under the old slouched hat, before
which Mr.. Barney drew back.
Both children were crying by that
time but the father took hand of
each. Come, Dilly; come, Baby
and, without word or look to his
companions, he passed cut into the
street. 1t was very silent walk
Toddle's tears We're dried as soon as
the stranger, whose loud voice had
awakened his baby terror, vas out OF
sight; but poor little Dilly's heart was
sore with disappointment and fear.
She had failed in the scheme that she
had thought promised so fairly. No
hood nor shoes had she seen, after all
her bravery in venturing into that
dreadful store and who could tell how
angry her father might be? She stole
shy glances up under the old hat; hut
she only saw a sober, downcast face,
and he said nothing, not even when
they had reached home. He hunted
up some fuel and made better fire
and then sat down before it, with his
head between his hands, and left the
children to their own devices.
But two weeks later Dilly completed
the story, confidently, to Freddy Burr.
See here!' she said, pushing the
toes of pair of stout new shoes thro'
the fence.
Where did you get emp asked
Freddy.
And see hcre!' continued Dilly,
bobbing up for an instant, to show the
hood that covered her yellow hair and
:, ,;o,;6cantlv with hor f,n0er