Ladysmith news-budget. [volume] (Ladysmith, Rusk County, Wis.) 1907-1927, 1914-01-09

upOI Tic ulISSlSlIIlS legs Oh
chair that stood near him. His first
impulse was to feel sorry for doing
this, his second to look around and see
if 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 it 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 We're absorbed in
their preparations for entertaining the
guests Of that evening. and for once
Dicky was forgotten.
eff was going to have a 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 that?'' asked his mother
carelessly, absorbed in her own
thoughts. mo. no. Dicky; this:is par
ty for mothers and fathers friends
You wouldn't enjoy it,
ooh. 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 about?''
asked his aunt.
'The new year It's coming in the
window, and l heard mother tell how
come it 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 a pretty custom. There will
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 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 to
receive their guests.
By making brave resistance to the
drowsiness that was stealing upon him
Dicky managed to keep awake until
the party had assembled in the par!Or
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 it 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 merrily,
and the old year drew to happy
close. First there were only fifteen
minutes of it left; then there were 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
1
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
| tho y,ortu aithor an6 tho oynroSciou
| 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 cry, took
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 DR.. Tom. He's walking in
his sleepr
He raised the child gently in his arms
and held him in the full blaze Of the
great chandelier, but Dicky's closed
eyelids never quivered as the light
Struck against them.
When he opened his eyes be was
amazed to find himself at the party
after ALL surrounded by men and wo-
men. who all said cheerfully. "a hap
py New Year to yoa. Dicky, dear!'
He was too drowsy to be frightened.
but as his father carried him back to
bed the child heard the great bells Of
the city calling out to him:
"a happy New Year, Dicky, dear,
and many of them!'