The Washington critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1885-1888, 1885-08-28
DOTS VISIT.

Il, for one, intend going" said lit
tic Dot Wycliife, with determined
look in her eye, which causes papa to
smile behind the morning paper and to
say to me, in an undcrtone, that the
child is going to stand up for her
rights at last.
A warm discussion had been going
on in our family this morning, caused
by letter from Uncle Charles Wycliile,
in which he asks if one or two of the
girls can be spared to him for few
weeks.
Now, let me tell you about Uncle
Charles: He is papa's elder brother,
and, consequently, came first in inherit
ing vast property which descended
from his grandfather, and now he has
bought u summer residence ut Il beauti
full country spot and wants two of his
nieccs TO help him entertain the host
of people he has invited to stay during
the summer.
ii think Helen had better go, for
one" says mamma, who is sitting with
Il troubled look on her face, for she
knows that every one of her five daugh
tiers will put in a plea to go.
am Helen the oldest of these
troublesome daughters, and being the
oldest have had to watch and care for
the others, as mother has very poor
health and cannot have all the house
hold duties devolye upon her.
The talk of my going at first causes
frown on three faces Qor, as Dot has
! 1,nn,, paf,,g,1 nptrtl,i Ia il, 1,a,
life, they have made up their minds to
her going; but when mother tells the
girls in her own quiet way, that Helen
has not been looking well lately, on
account of sewing so constantly, and
that she wants her to brighten up and
look better before Tom takes posses
sion Of her in the fail, they reluctantly
consent to my going
Although Is her next birthday, Dot
seems rs much of a child as she was
when she wore her little RULED aprons
and went to the village school; there
the torment and pet of all her teachers
and the queen among her schoolmates;
even now she has complete control over
papa.
"Ycs, | intend going" she con
tinues, with saucy little gesture, rs
if we were disputing with her; "but,
daddy. dear, do you know | haven
any clothes fit to take with me?-unless
Bess and Nan will loan me their best. d"
This last is said as n bright after
thought, but before Bcss and Nan have
had time to consider the enormity of
the favor to be granted Dot has
thought of another plan and has
waltzcd over to have confidential chat
with mamma.
The very thing" we heard her say,
after few minutes conversation,
Helen can make over that blue for
me, and the plaid silk for herself, and
with what we have already we will get
along nicely
The blue and plaid silks are to come
from the old trunk, where mother had
slowed them away, for they had belonged
| TO her when in her young days she
donncd them and touched Papa Wye
| liltc's heart,
During the next two weeks the
dresses are made to Dots satisfaction,
and on the morning of the Both of June
the eastward bound train holds two
passengers, one of whom is crying be
cause She is leaving her poor daddy
behind This is Dot,
"Allow me the pleasure of ,introdu-
cling my two nieces, Rodney. Girls,
this is Mr., st. John, who, | believe, is
one of your neighbors," says Uncle
Charles the morning after our arrival.
So this is Rodney ST. John, who at
last has come home from his wander
ings in the old world, and will now
probably improve that grand old home
OF his, which has been going to waste
the last fifteen years. Yes, he Is tell
ing Dot now that he Is thinking of max
ing that his home in the future, and
the child is actually saying that she is
on quite intimate terms with his pres
cnt housckccpcr
"Mr. ST, John, you have not seen
around these beautiful grounds yet, 50
if you come with me now will act
rs guide" says young lady whom
Uncle Charles had called Miss Reed.
81 should be very happy to do so,
and especially with such q charming
companion, replied Mr. ST, john ON
their way out of the breakfast room
From the drift Of the conversation
now imagine that Mr. St John and
Miss Reed are considered as each
others property.
Mr., 81. john and Dot seem on very
intimate terms; it annoys me greatly,
for If he is engaged TO Miss Reed
would not like to have him steal our
little Sunbeam's heart away,
where is my girl" says Uncle