Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1913-12-26

81 the door, and at times he be-
EH slowed a sly and naughty kick
upon the unresiSting legs of n
chair that stood near him. His first
impulse was to feel sorry for doing
this. his second TO look around ana see
II any one had noticed this little out.
burst of temper.
Ii may be that the Christmas feStlyi.
ties of few days before had been
too much for him; but, whatever twas.
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 up
the world in general from under lis
tawny curls. They were absorbed in
their preparations for entertaining the
guests of that evening. and for once
Dicky was forgotten
"lf was going TO have a party and
invite all the people in the world I'd
invite my own little boy, Dcby. too,
| wouldn't leave him OUT quoth Dicky
out of the silence.
whats thaty" asked his mother
carelessy, absorbed in her own
thoughts. mo. no. Dicky; this is a par.
ty for mothers and fathers friends.
You wouldn't enjoy It."
"0h. but ] do want to come" persist
ed Dicky 1--WE heard you all talking
about it, and ! want to see the new
year come in the window"
] what is the child talking aboutY'
asked his aunt
"The new year It's coming In the
window and heard mother tell how
you were all going to open 1t TO wei
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"
Dicky wept little at the time, and
when the hour came for bed under the
stern eye Of his father he rebeliously
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 TO
receive their guests.
BY making brave resistance to the
drowsiness that was stealing upon him
Dlcky managed to keep awake until
the party had assembled in the parlor
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 without
more ado he soon fell asleep, "the
world forgetting, by the world forgot,
Downstairs the hours passed merrlly,
and the old year drew TO IA happy
close. First there were only fifteen
minutes of 1t left then there We're only
ten. Finally the old year had but five
short periods, counting sixty seconds
each. to live. The men and women
gathered together showed nothing of
the solemnity that underlies the mer-
riment of all such gatherings. -Four
minutes. three minutes, two minutes
ah. They turned from the windows
in surprise to see Dicky standing In
| the doorway.
He was not dressed for the party,
and his little nightgown afforded scant
protection against the drafts of the
lower room. He was not expected at
the party, either, and the expression
on his fathers face suggested that he
was not even welcome there. These
considerations might have disturbed
an adult guest. but they mattered little
to Dicky.
He did not look or speak to any one.
Ordinarily his fathers sternness would
have sent him with a headlong rush to
the protection Of his mothers arms.
( Turning neither to the right nor to the
left. he went TO the window. and, al
though his eyes were closed. his little
hands unlocked the catch that fastened
It and opened the great easements
without a mistake or hesitation
His mother, choking back a cry, took
a furred wrap and went to cover him.
His father looked half in fright at his
brother. who was standing near
"Be careful not to wake him sudden
ly" said Or. Tom He's walking In
his sleep"
He raised the child gently In his arms
and held him I'm the full blaze Of the
great chandelier but Dlcky's closed
eyelids never qulyered as the light
struck against them
When be opened his eyes be was
amazed 10 find himself at the party
after all, surrounded by men and wo-
men. who all said cheerfully, "A hap
by New Year TO you. Dlckv dear"
He was too drowsy 10 be frightened.
but MS bis father carried him back to
bed the child heard the great bells Of
the cltv calling ont to him.