Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-07
Dilly

|
been invited to spend New Years with
Grandma Diligence. Then Don had
been taken with the Group. He was
better, but still too croupy to go Out
of doors.
"Dilly," exclaimed mother, sudden
ly, there's no reason why you
shouldn't go by yourself. You know
what train to take as well as mother
does, and grandpa will meet YOU
20 mother" said billy, could
really-truly go? Without you?"
-"Of course" said mother. "Don's
all right, now. And you're big girl
Run along quick and get ready
Mother'n pack your satchel."
| 7 billy fairly danced into her dainty
little clothes. There will be turkey,
you know she said to herself, "and
maybe plum pudding. And anyway
there'll be ice-cream."
At last billy was ready. She kissed
Don. Then she kissed mother. II
| wish you were going, too" she said q
little wistfully. Maybe grandpa and
grandma won't be glad to see just
me-"
ooh, but they will be, little daugh-
ter" said mother. Nov run along.
There's just half-hour to train time.
Be sure to have grandpa or some one
put you on the right train, Friday. Or
stay over Sunday If you like, Dilly.
Well be all rightly
"I'll see, mother" said Dilly, feeling
very important indeed. "Good-by."
The door banged gayly. Dilly was off.
From the window mother and Don
n
back" exclaimed mother. Forgotten
something, Dilly?"
II didn't tell Tinker was going"
said billy, "and he might feel hurt.
Good-by, Tinker" she cooed to the big
sleepy yellow. cat in the chair. I'm
so sorry can't take you. But you see,
there's Duke. And some way dogs
don't like you"
Run along, dear" said mother.
There's time to kiss Don again.,
said Dilly, hugging him. and you, too,
mother. Are you almost quite sure
you can spare me?"
ooh, yes. Dilly," said mother, cheer
lily. N"Now be off,
She's coming back-Dilly is" said
Don the next minute.
II Just icame back to say painted
billy, 81 Think won't-stay over
Sunday"
"Just as you like, Dilly," said
mother.
"You might miss me, you know,
mother" Dilly's hand was on the
door-knob.
"Of course mother'll miss you"
said mother. smiling; but she'll think
| what good time you're having. Now,
billy, do run along, and, when you get
to the corner, if there isn't much time.
you better take car"
"Good-by, mother" called Oily.
Then she went slowly down the walk.
She turned and blew kiss to Don.
Then she ran OF as fast as her two
little plump legs would take her.
Out of sight of home Dilly's run be-
came hippity-hop. Her hippity-hop
became walk At the first corner
she paused. Il wonder" she said to
herself, (which way I'd better 60. This
way is longer; but like it best, and l
guess there's time enough"
For several minutes Dilly walked
briskly then her footsteps began to
lag. Mothers going to miss you
awfully," said little thought.
Just as that thought spoke Dilly
came to the last corner. She looked at
the big clock. 1--WE ten minutes yet"
she said. II guess won't take car"
1t was a long street and some way
billy couldn't hurry. Her thoughts
talked along themselves. who'll do
the errands?" said one, anxiously.
"But there'll be turkey. you know"
suggested another, "and the loveliest
ice cream and little nut cakes"
who'll muse Don, Id just like to
know" asked a thought. But you'll
have the wish-bone." said another,
gayly, "'cause you'll be the littlest girl
there"
ut will be only today and tomor-
row." said thought way in the back
part Of Dilly's head, then you'll be
coming back"
But there'Il be two whole long
nights" said another very loud.
Dilly's feet came to sudden stop.
She looked in at the window Of the big
candy store. Afterwards the sight Of
that window made a queer burning in
her eyes and a queer smarting in her
throat
"If you don't hurry you'll miss the
train" said big thought.
That started billy along. But her
feet went more and more slowly. Cars
whizzed by-gongs Changing Hacks
ratified past People with satchels
jostled her. Dilly had a queer breath
less feeling. The satchel was heavy.
She set it down. Then thought,
which had been trying to get a word
in for ever so long, spoke right out,
why not miss the train" 1t said
boldly.
billy picked up the satchel. She took
as many as ten quick steps. Then she
began to lag again. Slower-slower-
slower, her feet dragged heavily along.
Sometimes they scarcely went at all.
You wouldn't believe such speedy little
tie feet could go so slowly and STUN
blingly. Then suddenly, across the
clear frosty air, came long shrill
whistle. deafening rush and roar. The
train was coming.
Rum" called several thoughts. But
billy walked slowly along. Grasping
her eotchaI tight she went into the