St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-08-29
DOTS VISIT.
A Pretty Little Slippers Peculiar
Experience.


morning paper and to say to me, in an
undertone, 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 a letter
from Uncle Charles Wycliffe, 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, conse-
Quently, came first in inheriting a vast
property which descended from his grand
father and now he has bought summer
residence at beautiful country spot, and
wants two Of his nieces to help him enter
tain the host of people he has invited to
stay during the summer.
- think Helen had better go. for one"
says mamma, who is sitting with troubled
look Oh her face, for she knows that every
one of her five daughters will put in plea
to go.
1 am Helen, the Oldest of these trouble
some 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 household duties devolve
upon her.
The talk of my going at first causes a
frown on three faces (for, as Dot has never
been refused anything in her life, they have
then 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 to brighten up and look
better before Tom takes possession of her in
the fall, they reluctantly consent to my
going.
Althoug 10 her next birthday, Dot seems
Just as much of child as she was when
she wore her little ruffled aprons and went
10 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.
Yes, L intend going" she continues,
with a saucy little gesture, as if we were
disputing with her; ''but, daddy dear, do
you know | haven't any clothes fit to take
with me?-unlesS BeSS and Nan will loan
me their best"
This last is said as bright afterthought.
but before Bess and Nan have had time to
consider the enormity of the favor to be
granted Dot has thought of another plan
and has waltzed over to have confidential
chat with mamma.
''The very thing" we hear her say,
after few minutes conversation. ''Heien
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 an old trunk, where Iaother had
slowed them away, for they had belonged
to her when in her young days she donned
them and touched Papa Wycliffe'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 because she is leaving her
poor daddy behind. This is Dot.
sAllow me the pleasure of introducing
my two nieces, Rodney. Girls, this is Mr..
st. John, who, L believe, is one of your
neighbors." says Uncle Charles the morn
ing after our arrival.
$50 this is Rodney ST. John, who at
last has come home from his wanderings in
the old world, and will now probably i'm
prove that grand old home Of his, which
has been going to waste the last fifteen
years. Yes, he is telling Dot that he is think
ing of making that his home in the future.
and the child is actually saying that she is
on quite intimate terms with his present
houselleepeT.
Mr.. st. John, you have not seen around
these beautiful grounds yet, so if you come
with me now L will act as guide" says a
young lady whom Uncle Charles had called
Miss Reed.
Il should be very happy to do so, and es-
pecially with such 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.
Nj. st. John and Dot seem on very init
mate 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 Charles.
meeting me in the hall Il want to see if
bhe will go with me over to the gardeners"
Indeed, l do not know: l have not seen
her for an hour or two" made reply.
Helen, [ think we have all been mis-
taken III regard to st. John and Miss Reed
He quietly limited last night, while out Oh
the piazza smoking, that he would like
mistress for his house, and that if he could
by any means induce a certain little lady
not far from the house to come over he
would be very happy.
GAS politely told him good while ago
that this October would see you Mrs. Tom
Morris, l suppose it is the little Dot he
MEANS" ard, leaving me to gather up my
scattered ideas. he departs.
Oh, dear where is Dot? If she were
here could surely find out what she thinks
Of MIR. st. John.
AS if in answer to this she came bound
ing in all out of breath and sinking into
an easy chair, exhibits a foot bereft of Slip
per.
where in the world have you been, and
where is your slipper?" I exclaimed think
ing the child had suddenly lost her senses.
''Down in the cherry trees, miss, is the
answer to your first question; and Mr.. St
John has my slipper, is the answer to your
last" and then, as if she had controlled
laugh as long as she could peal after peal
resounds through the room.
''NOw. I'll tell you all about it" she
says, puckering up her mouth and saving
''pruneS" before she begins. She had told
me before this that Miss Reed. who scarcely
ever got beyond a smile. always looked as
if she said prunes to keep her mouth
straight. Il climbed up into the cherry
tree TO read, and to eat few cherries, of
course, and just as got fairly settled what
should my old slipper do but slip OF my
foot and fall clear down. Indeed. |
actually thought it was going to search for
the roots of that tree, but it took notion
to stop on the grass, and as l thought it
was safe there until l came down | didn't
go after it; but, oh, dear, ! wish / had, for
Mr.. st. John came along little while
after and picked it mp and looked at it so
closely that l thought he would ask it
where its mate was and then it would
surely have pointed up the tree.
He says: 4 guess she has been sitting
reading here, with her slipper off, and has
gone home without ii, though how she
could have forgotten it is a mystery to me-
II know he meant Miss Reed. and now
what will do. for he put it in his pocket