Sharp County record., 1909-12-31
Her Friends
The Enemy

Dot read about it in book. lhere
was story of a little girl who had
enemies and she made the enemies
her friends by doing kind things for
them. 1t was a beautiful book with
red covers and 1t was entitled Goals
of Fire" though Dot wondered what
other kinds Of Goals there were.
The story in the book appealed to
Dot particularly because she had en-
emies herself and it struck. her that
applying kindness to them was very
simple cure, within the reach of any
one.
Her enemies were ten little girls
who lived on the reXt street ana
passed her house in troop every day
on their way to- school. Generally
they contented themselves with mas.
ing faces at her. but sometimes they
stopped to talk, which was worse.
They asked her name, but whom she
ventured to ask theirs they answered,
"Puddin' m tame, if you ask me again
IN tell you the same" which was be-
yond her understanding and quite ap.
palling.
Once they told her that there was q
hole in her stocking and when size
searched in mortified haste for it they
informed her she was "stung," for the
hole was at the top where she put her
foot in. Another time they said her
mother ought to let her have recep.
tion in order to allow her stockings
and her skirt to meet. This remark,
Dot knew showed they did not admire
her halfhose. Her independent dec-
laration next morning that she nj st
have real stockings surprised her
mother a good deal.
The leader Of the. ten girls wore a
blue dress, a red hat and White
apron, a 1aglike combination that was
very pleasing to Dot, so she was moro
than anxious to make friends with
that brilliant parsonage. This was the
girl who made the witty remarks
which were received with cheers ;y
her following and with embarrass
ment by her victim.
Now that revenge was within Dots
grasp she felt keen Joy 1t tho
thought of humiliating her alversa,!c5
with liberal applications Of Kindness.
The only question was the means she
should employ, Many and lnarvclous
were the plans she harbored, tho
dreams she dreamed respecting the
crushing Of the formidable ten. Then,
Of a sudden, her birthday loomed "a
sight and her mother announced that
she might have a party.
Dot asked for the privilege Of max
ing out the list Of guests, but her
mother felt It best to see to that her
self Thus Dot was able to socn!e
only q few envelopes and sheets OF
paper for her own use, and these
were obtained In secret,
She wrote five invitations with her
new yellow pencil and then awaited
the coming Of the enemy on their way
home from school. To tho flag gin
and her four dearest eronies went the
invitations Dot had written, TO the
others she delivered oral, but none
the less cordial, requests that they
attend her birthday party the follow
ing afternoon. Some Of the girls sis
ged, but most Of them wero silent
This silence might have meant almoct
anything, but Dot preferred to con
slider II an indication OF shame ana
remorse, They had been so mean Nnd
she was 30 kind
The afternoon Of the party was ail
that heart could wish Dot, however
did not feel content Tho small guests
invited by her mother on entering 70
ported n mob at the entrance that
commented freely upon thcir costumes
and asked questions not usually ra'eF
as polite. Upon one littlo girls nrrIv.
Ing in tears, Dots mother dlspntc(e %
the maid to the front walk and there
seemed to be commotlon there I'm
medately afterward. Az Dot refrainnt
from looking out Of tho window, che
was not sure who was responsible 70,
the chorus Of yells and whoops that
accompanied tho scattering Of the
mob but In her heart she thought sic
knew,
Not one OF the ten little girls she
had invited put IN an appearance al
the party, though Dot looked for them
all one anxious eye regarding the zen
orous plates OF Ice cream with feOi
lest the missing ones should not get
any If they came IN later,
The party was joyous success
however, and Dot forgot for happy
hour her friends the enemy, Those
were brought TO her remembrance
again as the guests departed Der|
eive boots from across tho street
greeted their departure, Dot tl0B
heard her mother speaking eboul
something,
n don't knowNhere thofc ll,rc rt
fans heard about the party sad
Dots mother "fhey have gIyoh "
such lot Of trouble' One Of ,eW
stole a loaf Of angel food and they
t... i.gi all aaula af tVauh al, ngA