Dotty Dimple at Play

e almanac; it was longer than all the line of

ed to her that if she did not go home she should die. Soldiers had died of homesickness, for she had heard her f

papa didn't say I mustn't go home. He said I must finish my visit, and

g glance from the doorway, which meant, "Be watchful, Mandy!" for the look of fixed despai

her heart. Winter was coming. It was a gray, miserable world, and she was left out in the cold. She remembered she had been happy once, but that was ages ago. It wasn't likely she should

the back door," thought Dotty, meekly. "If she lo

way from Mandoline, who had her in

to go to my house-isn't it

ou, Dotty Dimple

ing home. I'm

't go a step,

mamma, Lina Rosenberg; you

I shan't say whether it's the way to your hou

t to be so e

f you're so mean as not to tell, I can ask

ich Lina had not provide

come out "

k a lady, who pointed

opposite direction fro

iss Rosenberg, and you

e same. I shall go right up to your house,

Dimple to be pursued in this way;

u'd want to go where

enb

to do such a thing; sh

go back with me? My mother'll scold

real sorry; but it's no use to tease me; I wouldn't go back, no

s enough to people a colony; but Miss Dimple was as firm as a rock, now her face was once

go to my house, and tell my mother I'd run away again; and

er and lower, till her chin snuggled into the hollow of her neck, and her eyes peered out keenly from under her hat, to make sure no one was watching. There was a door-yard on one side of the house. She touched the gate-latch as gently

h should make believe she didn't kno

hed my visit; I have a right to come home; but p'rhaps they won't think so. I feel's if I wasn't half so good as tea-grounds, or coffee-grounds, or potato-skins," conti

pt Dotty, regardless of her white stockings and crimson dress. When she had fairly got her

I must go on my tipsy-toes, or they

found it anything but a path of roses. Once or tw

which had sunk above the ankle in coal,-"seem

tment, that is certain. The light had much difficulty in getting in at the little windows, and when it did f

r to the rooms up stairs, but it was of no use to the cellar. It was like some brilliant people, who shine i

a sip," sighed she; as if she c

rk soul. She had no tears to shed,-she seldom had,-but wh

hief, and was going to steal! 'Who is this st

e down after butter? Dotty was not prepared for that. She could

she began to wonder how long she could live

there nights. I can hide behind things in the daytime,

d. Dotty crouched behind an apple barrel, and listened. Grandma R

" said she. "If little Alice were onl

e this minute," thought Dotty;

e sound of her grandmother's voice was encouraging, and Dotty, in her loneliness,

ear child, you'd better take a shawl to wrap her in, for it is snowing fast. And be sure to

d they love her, after all? Were the

new it. "O, mamma, mamma!" cried s

med Mrs. Parlin, in great surprise, kissing the little, dirty gi

y, "if you'll let me stay at home, I'll live

om?" said Mr. Parlin,

ce, and laughing

gh the cellar

e cellar wi

didn't s'pos

er is the one to care! Ju

tty, with a quivering lip; "and I had to w

ghter afraid to co

ow's you wan

say, 'What strang

oeful face, found it very difficult to keep from laug

all finished up, ever

hose to come bac

know! Did you thin

ther's shirt-bosom in both her grimy hands, she burie

hroughout the house when D

out you any longer," said Prudy;

, "if I hadn't heard mamma talk about loving

; "but you look as if you had falle

s, she felt very happy, and enjoyed her supper remarkably well. The thought th

"would like to kiss every single thing in the room." It was unpleasant out of doors, and the wind blew as if all the people i

ad blown out all the st

nice in

er's lap. Not a word of reproach had been uttered by any

e prodigal's-daughter? Yesterday I felt a whisper 'way down in my mind,-I didn't hear it, but

if you had only paid at

one thing I know," added Dotty, clasping her hands together; "I'll never run away a

felt for many a day that Dotty really meant to do better. "You don't know how it did distress your papa and me to have

ture. She had written it that afternoon with carmine ink, on the nicest of tinted paper. D

*

'S LE

any, Dotty, or not any

dpa Parlin says if you put apples in a potato bin, th

weeting, if you wouldn't play with naughty children, like Lina Ros

in