The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1913-12-26
Dicky's New Year
How He Came to Attend the
Grown Folks Party. 81.

slowed q sly and naughty kick
upon the unresisting legs of a
chair that stood near him. His first
impulse was to feel sorry for doing
this, his second to look around and see
II any one had noticed this little out
burst Of temper.
1t may be that the Christmas festivi.
ties Of few days before had been
too much for him; but, whatever 1t was.
Dicky was certainly cross and inclined
to weep easily.
However, neither his mother nor his
Aunt Gertrude noticed how he kicked
the chair nor the way he scowled upon
the world in general from under his
tawny curls. They were absorbed In
their preparations for entertaining the
guests of that evening. and for once
Dicky was forgotten.
IF was going to have party and
invite all the people In the world I'D
invite my own little boy. Dicky. too.
l wouldn't leave him out" quoth Dicky
out Of the silence.
whats thatT' asked his mother
carelessly. absorbed in her own
thoughts. mo. no. Dicky; this Is a par
ty for mothers and fathers friends.
You wouldn't enjoy It"
"Oh, but do want to come" persist
ed Dicky. 1--WE heard you all talking
about it. and l want to see the new
year come in the window"
what is the child talking aboutf''
asked his aunt
1.-THE new year. It's coming in the
window, and I heard mother tell how
you were all going to open 1t to well
come 1t in" replied Dicky. somewhat
impatient at his aunt for not under
standing so obvious meaning.
Nothing will come In at the win
dow. DEAR" said his mother gently.
Its just pretty custom. There will
not be anything for you to see. and
you will be much happier upstairs In
your nice warm bed" ~, 60. -, o,.,.
Dicky wept a little at the time. and
when the hour came for bed under the
stern eye Of his father he rebelliously
consented to be tucked in by his nurse
although not without further remon'
strances. Finding them of no avail. he
sobbed his woes into his pillow. while
his father and mother went below ia
receive their guests.
BY making a brave resistance to the
drowsiness that was stealing upon him
Dicky managed to keep awake until
the party had assembled in the parlol
below. Then he crept out Of bed and
hung over the banisters. eagerly trying
to catch sight Of the brilliant people in
the gathering A man passed along
the hall Dicky thought 1t might be
his father and scampered back to bed
again as fast as his little bare feet
would carry him. And then withou
more ado he soon fell asleep. ''tht
world forgetting. by the world forgot.
Downstairs the hours passed merrily
and the old year drew to happy
close. First there were only ffteer
minutes Of 1t left; then there were only
ten. Finally the old year had but five
short periods. counting sixty seconds
each. to live. The men and womer
gathered together showed nothing Of
the solemnity that underlies the mer
riment Of all such gatherings Foul
minutes, three minutes. two minutes =
ali! They turned from the window.
In surprise to see Dicky standing II
the doorway.
He was not dressed for the party
and his little nightgown afforded scan
| thA Irof 10 <,f
lower room. He was not expected a
the party. either. and the expression
on his fathers face suggested That h'
was not even welcome there. These
considerations might have disturbed
an adult guest. but they mattered Iittl'
to Dicky.
He did not look or speak to any one
Ordinarily his fathers sternness woult
have sent him with headlong rush t.
the protection Of his mothers arms
Turning neither to the right nor to th'
left, he went to the window. and. al
though his eyes were closed. his littl'
hands unlocked the catch that fastened
1t and opened the great easement
without mistake or hesitation.
His mother. choking back a cry. tool
a furred wrap and went to cover him
His father looked. half In fright. at hi
brother. who was standing near
BE careful not to wake him sudden
ly." said DR.. Tom He's walking II
his Sleep
He raised the child gently in his arm
and held him In the full blaze Of tn
great chandelier. but Dicky's closet
eyelids never quivered IA the Ugh
struck against them. -..
When he opened his eyes he wa
amazed to find himself at the part.
after all. surrounded by men and wo
men. who all said cheerfully. "A hap
py New Year to you. Dicky. dear!'
He was too drowsy to be frightened
but as his father carried him back u
bed the child heard the great bells o
the city calling out to him:
"A happy New Year. Dicky. dear