Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple

n the cars. There had been a grand excursion to welcome the soldiers, and the stage would probably be very late

ed when I go, Prudy, or yo

hing nice. Wouldn't you like to go to aunt Mart

ttle purr, like

et me drink choclid o

id Prudy. "There, I know-Abb

uld not possibly be spared just n

d child, was very glad to take charge of

m. "O, my suz," said Dotty, with shining eyes

ming cream over some jelli

e. Then she led the two little girls into the dining-room, where the long table was

Abby, be sure to take good care of Dotty. Don't trust her out of your sight one m

ust now both the children found it hard to leave that tempting table. They dared not taste the dainties, but Abby thought it could surely do no harm just to touch them. But when they had gone

you just go ask somebody to brush

d then, without a word, went up stairs, unwilling to be

ght enter the dining-room, and discover her. So making a hasty choice of two large pieces of jelly-c

e peeped out, though she tried her best to press it down. But Ab

They had gone but a few steps when Zip came trotting along, with all speed, l

im want to come,"

d Dotty, stroking his nose. "He s

then Abby secretly punched him with a stick, while

, was also very anxious to eat the goodies which made such a bunch in her pocket. Zip seemed

at's the use to go 'round by the road? It's a great

the fence, "now I want to go behind this clump of trees, to-to

you shame yourself! I'm goin' every single wh

ht along with your doggi

ght to command her. She stamped her little f

ong with my doggie, Abby

grandma expects you to do just what I tell you. I'm afraid, dear, you

it was wisest to obey; but sh

ggie; but it's cause I'm tired, and don't wa

Dotty. Start qu

d" at once. She looked

e yourself,

know. Ye

't think you woul

walked on with Zip, only tu

now you'll hav

apron with the jelly, while little Miss Dimple trudged on, th

king about Abby rather than about the road, she missed her way, a

tty walked on and on, till the track had faded quite away. T

the edge of the Parlin woods. Here was a little creek, tumbling over some

Dotty to herself, "here

the child felt as if she had come to the ver

oot, "don't you cry! If you do cry, Dott

felt two or three tears raining down her cheeks. She n

ht Dotty, "I'll tell he

; before anybody would come, a bear, or a wolf, or a whale might rush right out of the woods and eat her up! Then how Abby would cry! Abby's mother would whip her with a big stick, and say,

herself had put into her little head, Dotty gazed at the "funny thing." Could it be a little truly sailboat? Yes, i

vain. The boys, who had set it sailing had gone into the woods for raspberries, would have laughed to see her efforts. Presently she took off her hat, held

l about Abby and the v

ht she, winking very fast. "

ff her stockings and gaiters, and stepped into the creek. Boys waded in th

erself sadly mistaken. The creek was remarkably deep, and, more than

ough to get lost; it was h

't you come? I don't want to drown, and not have

must have drowned-there is no doubt of it-if Zip had not been close at h

was up to her waist, and she was wringing her little h

kirts and dragged her to the bank, laying her on the

put it into Zip's loving heart to "

later, in order to cut some you

he spot? And lucky, too, that I happened along in the nic

Heavenly Father watches over, nothing ever

sorrow for her sin, as of shame for being found out. Such weepin

rybody, and was, after all, allowed to sit up till nine o'clock, and actually at