Holbrook argus., 1910-03-01
Her Friends The Enemy

 them. It was a beautiful book with red covers and it was entitled Goals of Fire" though Dot wondered what other kinds of coals 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 a very simple cure, within the reach of any one.
 Her enemies were ten little girls - who lived on the next street and passed her house in a troop every day on their way to school. Generally they contented themselves with mak- ing faces at her, but sometimes they stopped to talk, which was worse. They asked her name, but when she ventured to ask theirs they answered. "Puddin' n tame, if you ask me again I'll tell you the same" which was be- yOnd her understanding and quite ap- palling.
 Once they told her that there was a hole in her stocking and when she searched in mortified haste for it they 1 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- 1 tion in order to allow her stockings and her skirt to meet. This remark. Dot knew, showed they did not admire her half-hose. Her independent dec laration next morning that she must have real stockings surprised her mother good deal.
 The leader of the ten girls wore a blue dress, a red hat and a white apron, flaglike combination that was very pleasing to Dot, so she was more than anxious to make friends with that brilliant parsonage. This was the girl who made the witty remarks which were received with cheers by her following and with embarrass- ment by her victim.
 Now that revenge was within Dots grasp she felt a keen joy at the bought of humiliating her adversaries with liberal applications of kindness. The only question was the means she should employ. Many and marvellous were the plans she harbored, the dreams she dreamed respecting the crushing of the formidable ten. Then, of sudden, her birthday loomed in sight and her mother announced that she might have a party
 Dot asked for the privilege of mak. ing out the list of guests, but her mother felt it best to see to that her self. Thus Dot was able to secure only a 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 the flag girl and her four dearest cronies 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 gig gled, but most of them were silent This silence might have meant almost anything, but Dot preferred to con- sider it an indication of shame and remorse. They had been so mean and she was so kindi
 The afternoon of the party was all that heart could wish. Dot, however, did not feel content. The small guests invited by her mother on entering re- ported a mob at the entrance that commented freely upon their costumes and asked questions not usually rated as polite. Upon one little girls arriv- ing in tears, Dots mother dispatched the maid to the front walk and there seemed to be commotion there i'm mediately afterward. As Dot refrained from looking out of the window, she was not sure who was responsible for the chorus of yells and whoops that accompanied the scattering of the mob, but in her heart she thought she knew.
 Not one of the ten little girls she had invited put in an appearance at the party, though Dot looked for them all, one anxious eye regarding the gem erous plates of ice cream with fear lest the missing ones should not get any if they came in later.
 The party was a joyous success, however, and Dot forgot for happy hour her friends the enemy. These were brought to her remembrance again as the guests departed. Deri- sive hoots from across the street greeted their departure. Dot then heard her mother speaking about something.
 ''I don't know where those little ruff fans heard about the party" said Dots mother. "They have given us such lot of trouble! One of them stole a loaf of angel food and they 10ff oil arfc of troc back porch labeled birthday gifts for Dot. Two of them dug up the lilac Irsb and another broke the cellar window It has been dreadful"
 Dot stole softly upstairs and then came down a moment later, claspinS book with a violent red cover and !