Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-05-24
What Came to DiIly's House.
Fly KATE w. HAMILTON.
Bradford, Vt.

A.F7As AoAA ocoho hOk ldCC, dS USuII,
and her little, red hands behind her back.
The three or four small toes that peepcd
through her ragged shoes were red, also.
for the autumn day was cold; but Dilly
was used to such trihes. Toddles, the
baby, who could not climb the fence. con-
tented himself with looking through. He
was bundled up-in an 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 accustom
ed to such discomforts.
II 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 hatchet and asked:
"What makes you sit up there in such
day as this? Why don't you 90 into the
house and keep warm?"
"'Cause I'd rather stay here and watch
you," said Dilly screnely. "'Tain't no
fun in the house."
"Well, wouldn't think it was any fun
out here, l can tell you, if didn't have
warm coat and scarf and these thick
boots" remarked Freddy. displaying the
pair of red-tops, that were his pride.
Dilly looked at them, and an old, vague
wonder awoke as she did so, and grew
more distinct. until, presently, il took
shape in words.
"Why don't I have such things, too
Freddy Burr-shoes and new clothes and
something to wear on my head?"
"Cause your father drinks 'em M"
answered Freddy, promptly, and without
the slightest hesitation in displaying the
truth.
Dilly pondcrcd 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 tho
reason yours don't get any for you is
cause they all 90 into old Barney's rum
barrels, down at the corner. That's tho
way of it, true as you live, Dilly Keene
and it's awful mean, too" declared Fred.
dy, growing indignant, as he explained.
Then a voice from the pretty house
beyond called Freddy; and he ran in,
while Dilly and Toddles, with their
amusement of watching ended, turned
slowly away. Dilly surveyed the baby
and herself thoughtfully, and sat down
upon an old log to mediate. If what
Freddy Burr had told her was true, some-
thing ought to be done about it; and the
longer she pondcred tho more fully she
became convinced that she has heard the
truth.
"'Causo other folks has things and we
don't, and it must be ours goes somewhere
elsc." she reasoned. They cant bo any
good there either. I'm just sure they can't.
Mebby I've got hood-mebby il would
be nice red one, pretty aud 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 sho 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 60 and see if we
can get some of EN-"
YAH" answered Toddlcs, contentodly
and, taking his hand, Dilly opened the
creaking cato and led the way down the
street.
There were q number of men in the
store at the corner-a queor store, with
a curtain across tho lower half of its front
window. Dilly saw them when the door
opened; but she was a determined little
body, when once she had decided upon
the proper thing to do. So she clasped
Toddles' hand closer, and walked in and
up to the counter, making an extra effort
to speak distinctly, because her heart bea,
so fast.
please. sir. have you got anything ol
ours a-soak herep"
There was IN instant's silence, and
thon shout of laughter from tho men.
"Well, now, that's a neat way of put.
ting it. Hey, Keene, these youngsters ol
yours want to know If Barney has you in
soak here?"
An old slouched hat behind the stove
was raised little, but there was nc
other sign that the man heard. Oily
shrank back abashed.
"Oh! didn't mean him."
"What did you mean, them" asked q
coarse, rcd-faced man, advancing from
behind the bar and speaking in tones moi
at all gentle or amiable.
"Shces and coats and such things
faltered Dilly. "Hoods-I'm afraid it's
spoiled with the whisky; but mebby ma
could wash il out. Wouldn't you take
some Of 'em out of your barrel, Mr. Bar.
ney? We need 'em awful bad"
Il should think as much" muttered
one of the bystanders, surveying the two
dilapidated figures; but Mr.. Barney's
wrath was rising.
"What barrelP Who sent you here?'
he demanded angrily.
"Your rum.barrel;" answered Dilly
standing her ground desperately. though
with little catch in her breath, that wa
} just ready to break into sob. "Ma work
} hard all the time, and she looks so sorry
and we don't have any nice dinners at ou
house, like Freddy Burr's; and no nev
: shoes, or caps, or anything. asked Fred
dy where our good things went to, 'caus
they. don't come to our house; and he sal
you had 'em down here in your barrels
, Please do take somo of 'em out, Mr.. Bar
3 ney. I'm sure il can't make anybody
drink taste Bit better 10 have n NM,