River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-07-27
DOT AND DIMPLES.
An Engineer : story.

gular thing to be always looking al
vanishing things-and yet, if | was in
clined to moralize, might say that life
is made up Of it for every one, though
not in the same way 1t Is for an engl-
neer. But | had some pretty steady
pictures in my mind, and they did not
seem to disappear vision OF dear
little cottage of my own, and sweet
faced woman who would call me hus-
band, and, perhaps, golden haired
little fodder who would run out to
meet me when / went home. Natural
ly, l thought good deal of this on my
off week. 1t was holiday time, too,
and the stores were full of suggestions
of happiness. used to stare at the
big dolls and wish had some one to
surprise with one, or those wonderful
Noah's arks with the animals always
tumblipg out Of the door. | was in a
sort Of reverie of this kind one evening
when | heard II sweet voice say:
"Oh, there's that poor vagrant dog
again. / wish l could make it merry
Christmas for him."
"What queer girl you are, Dorothy.
Here you haven't got a decent suit to
your back, and yo're wishing for the
dog instead of yourself. | think Miss
Mangles might give you Christmas
present"
cha, hap the musical tones sang out
-"imagine i'll Why, the idea would
paralyze her; but | shall be eighteen
next week, and then I'll be free to earn
wages, and one of the first things I'll
get will be dark-blue serge suit like
that"
/ turned and looked at the speakers.
The one called Dorothy was a pretty,
fair, slender thing, very shabbily dress
ed, with only thin shawl on, thong h
the night was bitterly cold. She was
STOPPING to pat the most forlorn speci-
men of avagabond dog / had ever seen.
| am not very fond Of dogs myself, but
there was something Of dumb misery in
the eyes that this one lifted TO the young
girls face that went to my heart. The
companion, rather cOquettish and
dressy young person, was growing i'm
patient.
"Come," she said, you'll freeze here.
You can't do anything for him."
ayes, | can. | have ten cents.
will buy him some liver for a Christmas
present"
'You goosel and you might buy a
ribbon for your hair"
'I shall enjoy this more. You don't
mind; there's butchers round the
corner see, the poor fellow under
standsl What speaking eyes, and how
he wags his tail"
The dog did indeed seem to vibrate
with Joy from head to foot. He lost a
little of the wretched, vagabone air as
he trotted by Dorothy's side, and gaZed
up at her with something in his eyes
that looked like a soul, only they say
dogs have none-Who knows?
'Ghere now, you poor, forlorn, dog,
gy," said Dorothy, as she came out of
the butchers with brown paper par
eel in her hand. sit would be better
to keep it for two meals l suppose, but
can't and you shall be happy for once
in your life."
The dog snapped at the delicious
gift with very little regard for the
hand that offered it; but when it was
swallowed he seemed to bethink him
self, and fawned upon her by way of
thanks and apology, and he seemed re-
solved to follow her.
/ did the same at little distance,
and saw the young girl stop before a
small house on which was large sign
'Miss Mangles, Fashionable French
Dressmaker." The vagabond dog
seemed much inclined to go in, and
Dorothy's distress was great at having
to turn him away with any degree of
severity. | had discovered that she
would not hurt the feelings even of
dog.
When the animal comprehended at
last that he could not go into the house
and that the piece OF liver comprised
all his happiness, he gave q Teproachful
howl and went down the steps with his
tail in very depressed condition. He
did not go very far, but took his station
by the nearest lamp-post, and fixed his
melancholy eyes upon the house that
had swallowed up the wondrous being
who had given him glimpse of hap
piness.
went over and stood by him with a
strange sense of sympathy and COM
partnership.
awe both like her, don't WEI" said
/, "and we want to see her again, eh,
old fellow %
The dog did not look at me, but he
feebly waged his tail, and L left him
there, I went back to the place where 1
had first heard the sweet voice, and in
the window near by caught sight of
the pretty blue serge costume. An IN
spiration came to me. Dorothy should
have Christmas present after all. l
bought il, and had it addressed $40
Miss Dorothy, at Miss Mangles'," |
didn't know the rest of her name, but
it went all right, for saw her wear it
on Christmas afternoon, and The
sight warmed my heart. did not rest
ill knew her, and accomplished this
through friend for whom MiSa Man.
giles worked. Dorothy brought home
the dresses, and made such good use
my opportunities that before the
roses bloomed / had won her and the
day was fixed.
''But there's one thing you must
PROMISE" she said, as her head rested
shyly on my shoulder. CAS- we are to
have little cottage OF our own, want
TO give my poor Tramp home. He
knows me now, and waits for me every
day"
Tramp is welcome to home-that's
certain, as long as we have one but you
do not marry me for the sake of accom-
modating the dog, Dot?' ! said.
called her Dot because she was toe
little and girlish and pretty for hel
lenger name.
She laughed.
"Not entirely; but have a corner IL
my heart for him-that's fact. But
only think what home means TO me
who have never Had anything but the
corner of the loft, where the roof slants
so that | cannot stand up, and then
there is Miss Mangles nagging from
morning till night"
81 shall have to learn to nag" | said
'for fear you'll miss'it too much"
We were very silly and happy to.
gether, and when Dot took possession
of her new home she was wild with de-
light. No queen on her throne could
have been prouder than my little wife
the first night she sat st the little round
table and poured out tea for r0e. And
as for Tramp-for he had been duly
taken to the cot age-I never saw such
rapture in dogs eyes. lie walked
about and surveyed his domain with
an important air-he really appeared
to assume the dignity of proprietorshil
at once-and had set at human tramp.
who dared to pause at the gate anC
look into our little Eden. Dot haG