Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1882-08-09
Whai Came to DilIy's House.
ny KATE ", HAMILTON

Dilly was pcrched on icncc-post
her light hair flying about her face, ~
usual, and her little, red hands claspct
behind her back, The three or foul
small toes that pecpcd out through hc'
ragged shoes were rcd, also, for th'
Autumn day was cold; but .Dilly wa'
used to such trines. Toddlcs, th|
baby, who could not climb the fence
contenlcd himself with looking thro' -
lie was bundled up-in IN odd fashion
of Dilly's own invcnting-in IN ole
shawl; and, If the round face tha,
pecred bctccn the ience-rails was
roughcned by the chill wind, he, like
Dilly, had grown accustomed to sucl
discomlorts.
1t occurred to Freddy Burr, in the
next yard, however, that their situa'
ton was scarcely agreeable. He look
ed up from the stick he was trying tc
split with his new hatchct, and asked
what makes you sit up there sucl
II day n. this? Why don't you 60 in
to the house and keep warm?
cause I'd rather stay here and
watch you, said Dilly, screnely.-
"Tain't no fun in the house.
sWcll, wouldn't think it was any
fun out here, can tell you, if | didn''
have q warm coat and scarf and these
thick boots remarked Freddy, dis
playing the pair of red-tops, that were
his pride.
Dilly looked at them, and an old
vague wonder awoke as size did so,
and grew more distinct, until, present.
ly, it 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 up,
answered Freddy, promptly, and with
out the slightest hesitation in disclosing
the truth.
Dilly pondered moment as prompt
ly denied.
No, he didn't either. Folks can't
drink such thugs. 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 60 into old Barney's
rum-barrels, down at the corner
That is the way of it. true as you live,
Dilly Keene; and it's awful mean,
too = declared Freddy growing indign-
ant, as he explained.
Then 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,
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 do 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 l had it
now. Wish Toddles had
She stopped as brilliant plan flash
ed suddenly through her BRAIN
Wouldn't her mother be surprised, if
she could do that-poor mother, who
was out washing, and who would be so
tired when she came home, that night.
'Toddles, let's do it 7 she said, spring
ing up, excitedly. Lets go an see if
VIC can get some of EN-
yah = answered Toddles, contented-
ly; and, taking bis hand, Dilly opened
the creaking gate and led the way
down the street.
There were o number Of men in the