St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-01-26
MISCELLANY.
HOW THE aBILLENIUM,, CAME.

her back. The three or four small toes
that peeped out through her ragged
shoes were red, also, for the autumn
day was cold; but billy was used to
such trif1es. Toddles, the baby, who
could not climb the fence, contented
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 be-
tween the fence-rails was roughened
by the chill wind, he, like billy, had
grown accustomed to such discOmfOrts.
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 to
split with his new Ratchet, and asked i:
"What makes you sit up there such
a day as thisP Why don't you go in
the house and keep warm7"
"Cause I'd rather sit here and
watch you," said billy, serenely.
"'Tain't no fun in the house."
"Well, | wouldn't think it was any
fun out here, can tell you, if didn't
have a warm coat and scarf and these
thick boots" replied Freddy, display
ing the pair of red tops, that were his
pride.
billy looked at them, and an old,
vague wonder awoke as she did so, and
grew more distinct, until, presently, it
took shape in words.
"Why don't 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 disclOs-
ing the truth.
billy pOndered 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 the
reason yours don't get any for you is
cause they all go into Barney's rum
barrel down at the corner. That's the
way of it, true as you live, Dilly
Keene; and it's awful mean too J" de-
clared Freddy, growing indignant as
he explained.
Then voice from the pretty house
beyond called Freddy and he ran in,
while billy and Toddles, with their
of watching ended, turned
slowly away. billy surveyed the ba-
by and herself thOughtfully, and sat
down on 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 it must be ours go some
where" she reasoned. "Mebby I've
got hood then-mebby it is a nice
red one, pretty and warm. Wish 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 at night?
"Toddles, let's do it!' she said,
springing up, excitedly. "Let's go
and see if we can't get some of 'em."
"Yah !" answered Toddles content
eddy and, taking his hand, billy open
ed the creaking gate and led the way
down the street.
There were number of men in the
store at the cOrner-a queer store, with
IL curtain across the lower half of its
front window. billy saw them when
the door opened but she was de-
termined little body, when once she
had decided upon the proper thing to
do. So she only clasped Toddles'
hand closer, and walked in and up to
the counter, making an extra effort to
speak distinctly because her heart beat
so fast.
l,.,x nxrtt In rr
of ours a-sOak here Z"
There was an instant silence, and
then shout of laughter from the men.
"Well, now, that's a neat way of
putting it. Hey, Keene, these young
sters of yours want to know if Barney
has you in soak here"
An old slouched hat behind the
stove was raised Il little, but there was
no other sign that the man heard. Dill
ly shrank back abashed.
"Oh, didn't mean him."
"What did you mean, then 7" asked
a coarse, redfaced man, advancing
from behind the bar and speaking in
tones not at all gentle or amiable.
"Shoes and coats and such things"
billy. "Hoods-I'm 'fraid it's
spoiled with the whisky; bnt mebby
ma could wash it out. Wouldn't you
take some of 'em out of our barrel. Mr..
Barney7 We need 'em awful bad"
81 should think as much," muttered
one of the by-standers, surveying the
two dilapidated figures. But Mr.. Bar
ney's wrath was rising.
"What barrel Who sent you here T.
he demanded angrily.
"YOur rum BARREL" answered Dilly,
her ground desperately,
though with little catch in her breath
that was just ready to break into Il sob.
''Ma works hard all the time, and she
looks so sorry and we don't have any
nice dinners at our house, like Freddy
Burr's; and no new shoes, nor caps
nor any thing. | asked Freddy where
our good things went to, cause they
you had 'em down here in your rum
barrels. Please, do take some of 'em
out, Mr.. Barney. Pm sure it can't
make anybody's drink taste bit bet
ter to have poor little boys and girls
new shoes and hood, and everything
in the barrel"
"You are right there, sissy. It's
nigh about spoiled the taste of mine,"
said one of the group at the counter,
putting down his glass with queer,
look.
But there was no perplexity in the
bar keepers look. That was wrathful.
'tWe've had enough of this nonsense
Now, you leave, you young raga-muf-
fins, as fast as your feet will carry you,
and never let me catch you inside these
doors again."
He stepped toward them, as if to
drive them out but the man behind
the stove suddenly rose.
Both children were crying by that
time, but the father took a hand of
each. "Come, billy come, baby" and