The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1914-01-02
Dicky's New Year
How he Came to Attend the
Grown Folks Party.

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 scowied upon
the world in general from unciNr his
tawny curls. They were absorbed in
their prepara tons for entertaining the
guests Of that evening. and for once
Dicky was forgotten.
"If l was going to have party and
invite all the people In the world Id
invite my own little boy. Dicky. too
! wouldn't leave him out" quoth Dicky
out of the silence.
whats that?" asked his mother
carelessly. absorbed In her own
thoughts. "No. no. Dicky; this is par
ty for mothers and fathers friends.
You wouldn't enjoy it,"
"Oh. but I do want to come" persist
ed Dicky "I've 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 I heard mother tell how
you were all going to open it to wei
come 1t in" replied D!cky. somewhat
impatient at his aunt for not under
standing so obvious a 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 Mt 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 Il brave resistance to the
drowSiness that was stealing upon him
Dicky managed to keep awake until
the party had,assembled in the parior
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
tRe hall Dicky thought 1t might be
Us father and scampered back to bed
HaSdln Hs rast <ssTh!s iiStie 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 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 women
gathered together showed nothing of
the solemnity that underlies the mer-
riment Of ell 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 n 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
1t and opened the great easements
without mistake or hesitation
His mother. choking back a 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. Hes walking in
his Sleep
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 he was
amazed to fnd himself at the party
after all. surrounded by men and wo
men. who ali said cheerfu;ly. "A hap.
py New Year to you. 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 ont to him:
"A happy New Year. Dicky. dear
and many Of themp'