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 Dotty Dimple at her Grandmother's. Dotty Dimple at Home. Dotty Dimple out West. Dotty Dimple at Play. Dotty Dimple at School. Dotty Dimple's Flyaway. 

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 * * * * *

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[Illustration: Title page]

_DOTTY DIMPLE STORIES_. 

DOTTY DIMPLE OUT WEST. 

BY SOPHIE MAY, AUTHOR OF "LITTLE PRUDY STORIES. "

+Illustrated+. 

BOSTON

LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS

10 MILK STREET

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1869, BY LEE AND SHEPARD, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 

TO

_DOTTY DIMPLE'S LITTLE FRIENDS_, GUSSIE TAPPAN AND SARAH LONGSLEY. 

CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER PAGE

 I. STARTING, 7

 II. THE CAPTAIN'S SON, 20

 III. A BABY IN A BLUE CLOAK, 36

 IV. "PIGEON PIE POSTPONED, " 52

 V. THE MAJOR'S JOKE, 67

 VI. NEW FACES, 82

 VII. WAKING UP OUT WEST, 96

VIII. GOING NUTTING, 108

 IX. IN THE WOODS, 119

 X. SURPRISES, 133

 XI. SNIGGLING FOR EELS, 146

 XII. "A POST-OFFICE LETTER, " 160

DOTTY DIMPLE OUT WEST. 

CHAPTER I. 

STARTING. 

One beautiful morning in October the sun came up rejoicing. Dotty Dimple watched it from the window with feelings of peculiarpleasure. 

"I should think that old sun would wear out and grow rough round theedges. Why not? Last week it was ever so dull; now it is bright. Ishouldn't wonder if the angels up there have to scour it once in awhile. "

You perceive that Dotty's ideas of astronomy were anything but correct. She supposed the solar orb was composed of a very peculiar kind ofgold, which could be rubbed as easily as Norah's tin pans, though sointensely hot that one's fingers would, most likely, be scorched in theoperation. 

On this particular morning she felt an unusual interest in the state ofthe weather. It had been decided that she should go West with herfather, and this was the day set for departure. "I am happy up to mythroat:" so she said to Prudy. And now all this happiness was to bebuttoned up in a cunning little casaque, with new gaiters at the feet, and a hat and rosette at the top. Forty pounds or so of perfect delightgoing down to the depot in a carriage. 

"Don't you wish you could go, Zip Parlin? I'd like to hear you bark inthe cars; and I'd like to hear _you_ talk, Prudy, too!"

As Dotty spoke, the faintest possible shadow flickered across herradiant face; but it was only for a moment. She could not have quiteeverything she wanted, because she could not have Prudy; but then theywere to take a basket of cold boiled eggs, sandwiches, and pies; andover these viands, with a napkin between, were two picture-books and asmall spy-glass. There was a trunk with a sunshade in it, and somepretty dresses; among them the favorite white delaine, no longer stainedwith marmalade. There were presents in the trunk for Grace, Horace, andKatie, which were to take them by surprise. And more and better thanall, Miss Dotty had in her own pocket a little porte-monnaie, containingfifty cents in scrip, with full permission to spend it all on the way. She also had a letter from Susy to be read at Boston, and one from Prudyto be read at Albany. 

Yes, there was everything to be thankful for, and nothing to regret. She was quite well by this time. The rich, warm color had come back toher cheeks. She did not need the journey for the sake of her health; herpapa was to take her because he chose to give her the same pleasure hehad once given Prudy. It was Susy's private opinion that it wasrightfully her turn this time, instead of Dotty's; but she was quitepatient, and willing to wait. 

It was a long journey for such a little child; and Mrs. Parlin almostregretted that the promise had been made; but the young traveller wouldonly be gone three or four weeks, and in her aunt's family was notlikely to be homesick. 

It was a very slow morning to Dotty. "Seems to me, " said she, vibratingbetween the parlor and the kitchen like a discontented littlependulum, --"seems to me it was a great deal later than this yesterday!"

She had eaten as many mouthfuls of breakfast as she possibly could inher excited condition, had kissed everybody good by twice over, and nowthought it was time to be starting. 

Just as her patience was wearing to a thread the hack arrived, lookingas black and glossy as if some one had been all this time polishing itfor the occasion. Dotty disdained the help of the driver, and steppedinto the carriage as eagerly as Jack climbed the bean-stalk. She flirtedher clean dress against the wheel, but did not observe it. She was ashappy as Jack when he reached the giant's house; happier too, for shehad mounted to a castle in the air; and everybody knows a castle in theair is gayer than all the gold houses that ever grew on the top of astalk. To the eye of the world she seemed to be sitting on a drabcushion, behind a gray horse; but no, she was really several thousandfeet in the air, floating on a cloud. 

Her father smiled as he stepped leisurely into the hack; and he couldnot forbear kissing the little face which sparkled with suchanticipation. 

"It is a real satisfaction, " thought he, "to be able to make a child sohappy. "

The group at the door looked after them wistfully. 

"Be a good child, " said Mrs. Parlin, waving her handkerchief, "and dojust as papa tells you, my dear. "

"Remember the three hugs to Gracie, and six to Flyaway, " cried Prudy;"and don't let anybody see my letter. "

Dotty threw kisses with such vigor that, if they had been anything elsebut air, somebody would have been hit. 

The hack ride did not last long. It was like the preface to astory-book; and Dotty did not think much about it after she had come tothe story, --that is to say, to the cars. 

Her father found a pleasant seat on the shady side, hung the basket in arack, opened a window; and very soon the iron horse, which fed on fire, rushed, snorting and shrieking, away from the depot. Dotty felt as ifshe had a pair of wings on her shoulders, or a pair of seven-leagueboots on her feet; at any rate, she was whirling through space withoutany will of her own. The trees nodded in a kindly way, and the grass inthe fields seemed to say, as it waved, "Good by, Dotty, dear! good by!You'll have a splendid time out West! out West! out West!"

It was not at all like going to Willowbrook. It seemed as if theseBoston cars had a motion peculiar to themselves. It was a very smallevent just to take an afternoon's ride to Grandpa Parlin's; but when itcame to whizzing out to Indiana, why, that was another affair! It wasn'tevery little girl who could be trusted so far without her mother. 

"If I was _some_ children, " thought Dotty, "I shouldn't know how to partmy hair in the middle. Then my papa wouldn't dare to take me; for _he_can't part my hair any mor'n a cat!"

Dotty smiled loftily as she looked at her father reading a newspaper. Hewas only a man; and though intelligent enough to manage the trunks, andproceed in a straight line to Indiana, still he was incapable ofunderstanding when a young lady's hat was put on straight, and had oncemade the rosette come behind!

In view of these short-comings of her parent and her own adroitness atthe toilet, Dotty came to the conclusion that she was not, strictlyspeaking, under any one's charge, but was taking care of herself. 

"I wonder, " thought she, "how many people there are in this car thatknow I'm going out West!"

She sat up very primly, and looked around. The faces were nearly all newto her. 

"That woman in the next seat, how homely her little girl is, withfreckles all over her face! Perhaps her mother wishes she was as whiteas I am. Why, who is that pretty little girl close to my father?"

Dotty was looking straight forward, and had accidentally caught a peepat her own face in the mirror. 

"Why, it's me! How nice I look!" smiling and nodding at the pleasantpicture. 

"Sit up like a lady, Dotty, and you'll look very polite, and very_style_ too. "

Florence Eastman said so much about "style" that Miss Dimple had adoptedthe word, though she was never know to use it correctly. I am sorry tosay there was a deal of foolish vanity in the child's heart. Thoughtlesspeople had so often spoken to her of her beauty, that she was inclinedto dwell upon the theme secretly, and to admire her bright eyes in theglass. 

"Yes, I do look very _style_, " she decided, after another self-satisfiednod. "Now I'd just like to know who that boy is, older'n I am, not halfso pretty. I don't believe but somebody's been sitting down on his hat. What has he got in his lap? Is it a kitten? White as snow. I wish itwasn't so far off. He's giving it something to eat. How its ears shake!Papa, papa, what's that boy got in his lap?"

"What boy?"

"The one next to that big man. See his ears shake! He's puttingsomething in his mouth. "

"In whose mouth?"

Mr. Parlin looked across the aisle. 

"That 'big man' is my old friend Captain Lally, " said he quite pleased;and in a moment he was shaking hands with him. Presently the captain andhis son Adolphus changed places with the woman and the freckled girl, and made themselves neighbors to the Parlins. The two seats were turned_vis-a-vis_, the gentlemen occupying one, the children the other. 

Now Dotty discovered what it was that Adolphus had in his lap; it was aSpanish rabbit; and if you never saw one, little reader, you have noidea how beautiful an animal can be. If there is any gem so soft andsparkling as his liquid Indian-red eyes, with the sunshine quivering inthem as in dewdrops, then I should like to see that gem, and have it setin the finest gold, and send it to the most beautiful woman in the worldto wear for a ring. This rabbit was white as a snowball, with ears aspink as blush roses, and a mouth that was always in motion, whetherAdolphus put lumps of sugar in it or not. 

Dotty went into raptures. She forgot her "style" hat, and her newdignity, and had no greater ambition than to hold the lovely white ballin her arms. Adolphus allowed her to do so. He was very kind to answerall her questions, and always in the most sensible manner. If Dotty hadbeen a little older, she would have seen that the captain's son was aremarkably intelligent boy, in spite of his smashed hat. 

After everything had been said that could possibly be thought of, inregard to rabbits and their ways, Dotty looked again, and verycritically, at Adolphus. His collar was wrinkled, his necktie one-sided, he wore no gloves, and, on the whole, was not dressed ad well as Dotty, who had started from home that very morning, clean and fresh. He wasevery day as old as Susy; but Miss Dimple, as a traveller bound on along journey, felt herself older and wiser still, and began to talkaccordingly. Smoothing down the skirt of her dress with herneatly-gloved hands, she remarked:--

CHAPTER II. 

THE CAPTAIN'S SON. 

"Is your name Dollyphus?"

"Yes, Adolphus Lally. "

"Well, my name is Alice. Nobody calls me by it but my papa and mygrandmas. Dotty Dimple is my short name. There are a pair of dimplesdotted into my cheek; don't, you see? That's what it's for. I was bornso. My _other_ sisters haven't any at all. "

Adolphus smiled quietly; he had seen dimples before. 

"You didn't ever know till just now there was any such girl as _me_, Is'pose. "

"No, I never did. "

"I live in the city of Portland, " pursued Dotty, with a grand air, "andmy papa and mamma, and two sisters, and a Quaker grandma (only you mustsay 'Friend') with a white handkerchief on. Have you any grandma likethat?"

"No, my grandmother is dead. "

"Why, there's two of mine alive, and one grandpa. Just as nice! Theydon't scold. They let you do everything. I wouldn't _not_ havegrandmothers and fathers for anything! But _you_ can't help it. Did youever have your house burnt up?"

"No, indeed. "

"Well, ours did; the chambers, and the cellar, and the windows anddoors. We hadn't any place to stay. My sister Susy! You ought to heardher cry! I lost the beautifulest tea-set; but I didn't say much aboutit. "

"Where do you live now?"

"O, there was a man let us have another house. It isn't so handsome asour house was; for the man can't make things so nice as my father can. We live in it now. Can you play the piano?"

"No, not at all. "

"Don't you, honestly; Why, I do. Susy's given me five lessons. You haveto sit up as straight as a pin, and count your fingers, one, two, three, four. X is your thumb. "

Dotty believed she was imparting valuable information. She felt greatpleasure in having found a travelling companion to whom she could makeherself useful. 

"I'm going to tell you something. Did you ever go to Indiana?"

"No. "

"Didn't you? They call it Out West. I'm going there. Yes, I startedto-day. The people are called Hoojers. They don't spect me, but I'mgoing. Did you ever hear of a girl that travelled out West?"

"O, yes; ever so many. "

"I mean a girl as little as me, 'thout anybody but my papa; and he don'tknow how to part my hair in the middle. I have to take all the care ofmyself. "

Dotty had been trying all the while to call forth some exclamation ofawe, or at least surprise. She was sure Adolphus would be impressed now. 

"All the whole care of myself, " repeated she. "My papa has one of the_highest_ 'pinions of me; and he says I'm as good as a lady when I try. Were you ever in the cars before, Dollyphus?"

"O, yes, " was the demure reply, "a great many times. I've been round theworld. "

Dotty started suddenly, dropping her porte-monnaie on the floor. 

"Round the world! The whole round world?" gasped she, feeling asinsignificant as a "Catharine wheel, " which, having "gone up like arocket, " has come down "like a stick. "

"You didn't say round the _whole_ world?" repeated she, looking veryflat indeed. 

"O, yes, in my father's ship. "

His "father's ship. " Dotty's look of superiority was quenched entirely. Even her jaunty hat seemed to humble itself, and her haughty head sinkwith it. 

Adolphus stooped and restored the porte-monnaie, which, in her surprise, she had quite forgotten. 

"Does your father keep a ship?" asked she, reverently. 

"Yes; and mother often makes voyages with him. Once they took me; andthat was the time I went round the world. We were gone two years. "

"Weren't you afraid?"

"No, I'm never afraid where my father is. "

"Just a little afraid, I mean, when you found the ship was goingtip-side up?"

"Tip-side up?" said Adolphus. "I don't understand you. "

"Why, when you got to the other side of the world, then of course theship turned right over, you know. Didn't you want to catch hold ofsomething, for fear you'd fall into the sky?"

Adolphus laughed; he could not very well help it; but, observing themortification expressed in his companion's face, he sobered himselfinstantly, and replied, --

"No, Dotty; the world is round, but you wouldn't know it by the looks ofit. Wherever I've been, the land seems flat, except the hills, and sodoes the water, all but the waves. "

As the captain's son said this, he looked pityingly at his littlecompanion, wondering how she happened to be so silly as to suppose aship ever went "tip-side up. " But he was mistaken if he considered Dottya simpleton. The child had never gone to school. Her parents believedthere would be time enough yet for her to learn a great many things; andher ignorance had never distressed them half so much as her faults oftemper. 

"Did you ever go as far as Boston before?" pursued Adolphus, rathergrandly, in his turn. 

"No, I never, " replied Dotty, meekly; "but Prudy has. "

"So I presume you haven't been in Spain? It was there I bought mybeautiful rabbit. Were you ever in the Straits of Malacca?" continuedhe, roguishly. 

"No--o. I didn't know I was. "

"Indeed? Nor in the Bay of Palermo? The Italians call it the GoldenShell. "

"I don't _s'pose_ I ever, " replied Dotty, with a faint effort to keep upappearances; "but I went to _Quoddy_ Bay once!"

"So you haven't seen the _loory_? It is a beautiful bird, and talksbetter than a parrot. I have one at home. "

"O, have you?" said Dotty, in a tone of the deepest respect. 

"Yes; then there is the _mina_, a brown bird, larger than a crow;converses quite fluently. You have heard of a mina, I dare say. "

Dotty shook her head in despair. She was so overwhelmed by this time, that, if Adolphus had told of going with Captain Lally to the moon in aballoon, she would not have been greatly surprised. 

A humorous smile played around the boy's mouth. Observing his littlecompanion's extreme simplicity, he was tempted to invent some marvellousstories for the sake of seeing her eyes shine. 

"I can explain it to her afterwards, " said he to his conscience. 

"Did you ever hear of the Great Dipper, Dotty?"

"I don't know's I did. No. "

"You don't say so! Never heard of the Great Dipper! Your sister Prudyhas, I'm sure. It is tied to the north pole, and you can dip water withit. "

"Is it big?"

"No, not very. About the size of a tub. "

"A dipper as big as a tub?" repeated Dotty, slowly. 

"Yes, with the longest kind of handle. "

"I couldn't lift it?"

"No, I should judge not. "

"Who tied it to the north pole?"

"I don't know. Columbus, perhaps. You remember he discovered the world?"

Dotty brightened. 

"O, yes, I've heard about that! Susy read it in a book. "

"Well, I'll tell you how it was. There had been a world, you see; butpeople had lost the run of it, and didn't know where it was, after theflood. And then Columbus went in a ship and discovered it. "

"He did?"

Dotty looked keenly at the captain's son. He was certainly in earnest;but there was something about it she did not exactly understand. 

"Why, if there wasn't any world all the time, where did _C'lumbus_ comefrom?" faltered she, at last. 

"It is not generally known, " replied Adolphus, taking off his hat, andhiding his face in it. 

Dolly sat for some time lost in thought. 

"O, I forgot to say, " resumed Adolphus, "the north pole isn't driven inso hard as it ought to be. It is so cold up there that the frost'heaves' it. You know what 'heaves' means? The ground freezes and thenthaws, and that loosens the pole. Somebody has to pound it down, andthat makes the noise we call thunder. "

Dotty said nothing to this; but her youthful face expressed surprise, largely mingled with doubt. 

"You have heard of the _axes_ of the earth? That is what they pound thepole with. Queer--isn't it? But not so queer to me as the Red Sea. "

Adolphus paused, expecting to be questioned; but Dotty maintained adiscreet silence. 

"The water is a very bright red, I know; but I never _could_ believethat story about the giant's having the nose-bleed, and coloring thewhole sea with blood. Did you ever hear of that?"

"No, I never, " replied Dotty, gravely. "You needn't tell it, Dollyphus. I'm too tired to talk. "

Adolphus felt rather piqued as the little girl turned away her head andsteadily gazed out of the window at the trees and houses flying by. Itappeared very much as if she suspected he had been making sport of her. 

"She isn't a perfect ignoramus, after all. " he thought; "that last liewas a little too big. "

After this he sat for some time watching his little companion, anxiousfor an opportunity to assure her that these absurd stories had been spunout of his own brain. But Dotty never once turned her face towards him. She was thinking, --

"P'rhaps he's a good boy; p'rhaps he's a naughty boy: but I shan'tbelieve him till I ask my father. "

At Portsmouth, Captain Lally and son left the cars, much to Dotty'srelief, though they did carry away the beautiful Spanish rabbit; and itseemed to the child as if a piece of her heart went with it. 

"Is my little girl tired?" said Mr. Parlin, putting an arm around Dotty. 

"No, papa, only I'm thinking. The north pole is top of the world--isn'it? As much as five hundred miles off?"

"A great deal farther than that, my dear. "

"There, I thought so! And we couldn't hear 'em pound it down with anaxe--could we? That isn't what makes thunder? O, what a boy!"

Mr. Parlin laughed heartily. 

"Did Adolphus tell you such a story as that?"

"Yes, sir, he did, " cried Dotty, indignantly, "and said there was adipper to it, with a handle on, as large as a tub. And a man tied itthat came from I-don't-know-where, and found this world. I know _that_wasn't true, for he didn't say anything about Adam and Eve. What anawful boy!"

"What did you say to Adolphus?" said Mr. Parlin, still laughing. "Hadn'tyou been putting on airs? And wasn't that the reason he made sport ofyou?"

"I don't know what 'airs' are, papa. "

"Perhaps you told him, for instance, that you were travelling out West, and asked him if _he_ ever went so far as that. "

"Perhaps I did, " stammered Dotty. 

"And it is very likely you made the remark that you had the whole careof yourself, and know how to part your hair in the middle. I did notlisten; but it is possible you told him you could play on the piano. "

Dotty looked quite ashamed. 

"This is what we call 'putting on airs. ' Adolphus was at first ratherquiet and unpretending. Didn't you think he might be a little stupid?And didn't you wish to give him the idea that you yourself weresomething of a fine lady?"

How very strange it was to Dotty that her father could read the secretthoughts which she herself could hardly have told! She felt supremelywretched, and crept into his bosom to hide her blushing face. 

"I didn't say Adolphus did right to tease you, " said Mr. Parlin, gently. 

He thought the little girl's lesson had been quite severe enough; for, after all, she had done nothing very wrong: she had only been a littlefoolish. 

"Upon my word, chincapin, " said he, "we haven't opened that basket yet!What do you say to a lunch, with the Boston Journal for a table-cloth?And here comes a boy with some apples. "

In two minutes Dotty had buried her chagrin in a sandwich. 

And all the while the cars were racketing along towards Boston. 

CHAPTER III. 

A BABY IN A BLUE CLOAK. 

Dotty had begun to smile again, and was talking pleasantly withher father, when there was a sudden rocking of the cars, or, as Prudyhad called it, a "car-quake. " Dotty would have been greatly alarmed ifshe had not looked up in her father's face and seen that it wasperfectly tranquil. They had run over a cow. 

This little accident gave a new turn to the child's thoughts. She gazedat the conductor with some distrust. If he did not take care of thecars, what made him wear that printed hat-band? She supposed that insome mysterious way he drove or guided the furious iron horse; and whenshe saw him sitting at ease, conversing with the passengers, she was notsatisfied; she thought he was neglecting his duty. 

"I s'pose, " mused she, finishing the final crumb of her sandwich, --"Is'pose there are two kinds of conductors in cars, same as in thunder. One is a _non_, and the other isn't. I'm afraid this man is a _non_; ifhe is, he will conduct us all to pieces. "

Still her fear was not very active; it did not prevent her having a goodtime. She saw that her father was comfortable, and this fact reassuredher somewhat. If they were going to meet with a dreadful accident, wouldn't he be likely to know it?

She began to look about her for something diverting. At no greatdistance was a little baby in a blue cloak. Not a very attractive baby, but a great deal better than none. 

"Papa, there's more room on the seat by that lady's bandbox. Mayn't Iask to take care of her baby?"

"Yes, dear, if she is willing. "

Dotty danced down the aisle, thinking as she went, --

"My father lets me do every single thing. If we had mamma with us, _sometimes_ she'd say, No. "

The tired woman greeted Miss Dimple cordially. She was not only willing, but very well pleased to have the uneasy baby taken out of her arms. Dotty drew off her gloves, and laid the little one's head tenderlyagainst her cheek. Baby looked wonderingly into the bright eyes bendingabove him, reached up a chubby hand, caught Dotty's hat, and twitched ittowards the left ear. 

"Sweetest cherub!" said the fond mother, as if the child had done agood deed, "Take off your hat, little girl. I'll hang it in the rack. "

Dotty was glad to obey. But baby was just as well satisfied with his newfriend's hair as he had been with the hat. It was capable of beingpulled; and that is a quality which delights the heart of infancy. Dottybore the pain heroically, till she bethought herself of appearances;for, being among so many people, she did not wish to look like a gypsy. She smoothed back her tangled locks as well as she could, and triedevery art of fascination to attract the baby's attention to somethingelse. 

"You are a pretty little girl, and a nice little girl, " said thegratified mother. "You have a wonderful faculty for 'tending babies. Now, do you think, darling, you could take care of him a few minutesalone, and let me try to get a nap? I am very tired, for I got up thismorning before sunrise, and had baking to do. "

"O, yes'm, " replied Dotty, overflowing with good nature; "you can go tosleep just as well as not. Baby likes me--don't you, baby? And we'llplay pat-a-cake all so nice!"

"It isn't every day I see such a handsome, obliging little dear, "remarked the oily-tongued woman, as she folded up a green and yellowplaid shawl, and put it on the arm of the seat for a pillow. "I shouldlike to know what your name is; and some time, perhaps, I can tell yourmother how kind you were to my baby. "

"My name is Alice Parlin, " replied our enraptured heroine, "and I livein Portland. I'm going out West, where the Hoojers live. I--"

Dotty stopped herself just in time to avoid "putting on airs. "

"H--m! I _thought_ I had seen you before. Well, your mother is proud ofyou; I know she is, " remarked the new acquaintance, settling herself fora nap. 

Dotty looked at her as she lay curled in an ungraceful heap, with hereyes closed. It was a hard, disagreeable face. Dotty did not know why itwas unpleasing. She only compared it with the child's usual standard, and thought, "She is not so handsome as my mamma, " and went on makinggreat eyes at the baby. 

She was not aware that the person she was obliging was Mrs. Lovejoy, anold neighbor of the Parlins, who had once been very angry with Susy, saying sarcastic words to her, which even now Susy could not recallwithout a quiver of pain. 

For some time Dotty danced the lumpish baby up and down, sustained inher tedious task by remembering the honeyed compliments its mother hadgiven her. 

"I should think they _would_ be proud of me at home; but nobody eversaid so before. O, dear, what a homely baby! Little bits of eyes, likehuckleberries. 'Twill have to wear a head-dress when it grows up, for ithasn't any hair. I'm glad it isn't my brother, for then I should have tohold him the whole time, and he weighs more'n I do. "

Dotty sighed heavily. 

"That woman's gone to sleep. She'll dream it's night, and p'rhaps shewon't wake up till we get to Boston. Hush-a-by, baby, your cradle isgreen! O, dear, my arms'll ache off. "

A boy approached with a basket of pop-corn and other refreshments. Dotty remembered that she had in her pocket the means to purchase verymany such luxuries. But how was she to find the way to her pocket? Babyrequired both hands, and undivided attention. Dotty looked at the boyimploringly. He snapped his fingers at her little charge, and passed on. She looked around for her father. He was at the other end of the car, talking politics with a group of gentlemen. 

"Please stop, " said she, faintly, and the boy came to her elbow again. "I want some of that pop-corn so much!" was the plaintive request. "Icould buy it if you'd hold this baby till I put my hand in my pocket. "

The youth laughed, but, for the sake of "making a trade, " set down hisbasket and took the "infant terrible. " There was an instant attack uponhis hair, which was so long and straggling as to prove an easy prey tothe enemy. 

[Illustration: DOTTY IN THE CARS. Page 44. ]

"Hurry, you!" said he to Dotty, with juvenile impatience. "I can't standany more of this nonsense. "

Dotty did hurry; but before she received the baby again he had been wellshaken, and his temper was aroused; he objected to being punished forsuch a harmless amusement as uprooting a little hair. There was onething certain: if his eyes were small, his lungs were large enough, andperfectly sound. 

Startled by his lusty cries, his mamma opened one of her eyes, butimmediately closed it again when she saw that Dotty was bending all thepowers of her mind to the effort of soothing "the cherub. "

"I do wish my dear mamma _was_ travelling with us, " thought theperplexed little girl. "She wouldn't 'low me to hold this naughty, naughty baby forever 'n' ever! Because, you know, she never'd go off tothe other end of the car and talk pol'tics. "

The little girl chirruped, cooed, and sang; all in vain. She danced thebaby "up, up, up, and down, down, downy, " till its blue cloak wastwisted like a shaving. Still it cried, and its unnatural mother refusedto hear. 

"I never'll hold another baby as long's I live. When ladies come to ourhouse, I'll look and see if they've brought one, and if they have I'llalways run up stairs and hide. "

As a last resort, she gave the little screamer some pop-corn. Why not?It refused to be comforted with other devices. How should she know thatit was unable to chew, and was in the habit of swallowing buttons, beads, and other small articles whole?

Baby clutched at the puffy white kernels, and crowed. It knew now, forthe first time, what it had been crying for. There was a moment ofpeace, during which Master Freddie pushed a handful of corn as far asthe trap-door which opened into his throat. Then there was a struggle, agasp, a throwing up of the little hands; the trap-door had opened, butthe corn had not dropped through; there was not space enough. In otherwords, Freddy was choking. 

The young nurse was so frightened that she almost let the small suffererslip out of her arms. She screamed so shrilly that half a dozen peoplestarted from their seats to see what was the matter. Of course thesleepy woman was awake in a moment. All she said, as she took the childout of Dotty's arms, was this:--

"You good-for-nothing, careless little thing! Don't you know any betterthan to choke my baby?"

As Dotty really supposed the little one's last hour had come, and sheherself had been its murderess, her distress and terror are not to betold. She paced the aisle, wringing her hands, while Mrs. Lovejoy puther finger down Freddie's throat and patted his back. 

In a very short time the mischief was undone; the child caught itsbreath, and blinked its little watery eyes, while its face faded fromdeep magenta to its usual color of dough. 

Dotty was immensely relieved. 

"Bess its 'ittle heart, " cried Mrs. Lovejoy, pressing it close to hertravelling-cape, while several of the passengers looked on, quiteinterested in the scene. "Did the naughty, wicked girlie try to chokeits muzzer's precious baby? We'll w'ip her; so we will! She shan't comenear my lovey-dovey with her snarly hair. "

Mrs. Lovejoy's remarks pricked like a nosegay of thistles. They were notonly sharp in themselves, but they were uttered with such evidentdispleasure that every word stung. 

Dotty was creeping away with her head down, her "snarly hair" veilingher sorrowful eyes, when she remembered her hat, and meekly asked Mrs. Lovejoy to restore it. 

"Take it, " was the ungracious reply, "and don't you ever offer to holdanother baby till you have a little common sense. "

Dotty walked away with her fingers in her mouth, more angry thangrieved, and conscious that all eyes were upon her. 

"I didn't mean to scold you, child, " called the woman after her; "onlyyou might have killed my baby, and I think you're big enough to knowbetter. "

This last sentence, spoken more gently, was intended to heal all wounds;but it had no such effect. Dotty was sure everybody had heard it, andwas more ashamed than ever. She had never before met with any one so illbred as Mrs. Lovejoy. She supposed her own conduct had been almostcriminal, whereas Mrs. Lovejoy was really much more at fault thanherself. A woman who has no tenderness for a well-meaning little girl, no forgiveness for her thoughtless mistakes, can never be regarded as alady. 

Thus, for the second time that day, Dotty had met with misfortune. 

Her father knew nothing of what had occurred, and she had not much tosay when he offered a penny for her thoughts. 

"I oughtn't to have given that baby any corn, " said she, briefly; "buthe didn't choke long. "

"Where are your gloves, child?"

Dotty looked in her pocket, and shook her head. 

"You must have left them in the seat you were in. You'd better go afterthem, my daughter, and then come back and brush your hair. "

"O, papa, I'd rather go to Indiana with my hands naked. That womandoesn't like me. "

Mr. Parlin gave a glance at the wretched little face, and went for thegloves himself. They were not to be found, though Mrs. Lovejoy was verypolite indeed to assist in the search. They had probably fallen out ofthe window. 

"Don't take it to heart, my little Alice, " said Mr. Parlin, who was verysorry to see so many shadows on his young daughter's face so early inthe day. "We'll buy a new pair in Boston. We will think of somethingpleasant. Let us see: when are you going to read your first letter?"

"O, Susy said the very last thing before I got to Boston. You'll tell mewhen it's the very last thing? I'm so glad Susy wrote it! for now I canbe 'expecting it all the rest of the way. "

CHAPTER IV. 

"PIGEON PIE POSTPONED. "

This is Susy's letter, which lay in Mr. Parlin's pocket-book, and which he gave his impatient little daughter fifteen minutes beforethe cars stopped:--

 "MY DEAR LITTLE SISTER: This is for you to read when you have almost got to Boston; and it is a story, because I know you will be tired. 

 "Once there was a wolf--I've forgotten what his name was. At the same time there were some men, and they were monks. Monks have their heads shaved. They found this wolf. They didn't see why he wouldn't make as good a monk as anybody. They tied him and then they wanted him to say his prayers, patter, patter, all in Latin. 

 "He opened his mouth, and then they thought it was coming; but what do you think? All he said was, 'Lamb! lamb!' And he looked where the woods were. 

 "So they couldn't make a monk of him, because he wanted to eat lambs, and he wouldn't say his prayers. 

 "Mother read that to me out of a blue book. 

 "Good by, darling. From "SISTER SUSY. "

"What do you think of that?" said Mr. Parlin, as he finished reading theletter aloud. 

"It is so queer, papa. I don't think those monkeys were very bright. "

"Monks, my child. "

"O, I thought you said monkeys. "

"No, monks are men--Catholics. "

"Well, if they were men, I should think they'd know a wolf couldn't sayhis prayers. But I s'pose it isn't true. "

"No, indeed. It is a fable, written to show that it is of no use toexpect people to do things which they have not the power to do. The wolfcould catch lambs, but he could not learn his letters. So my littleAlice can dress dollies, but she does not know how to take care ofbabies. "

"O, papa, I didn't choke him _very_ much. "

"I was only telling you I do not think you at all to blame. Little girlslike you are not expected to have judgment like grown women. If you onlydo the best you know how, it is all that should be required of you. "

Dotty's face emerged from the cloud. She looked away down the aisle atMrs. Lovejoy, who was patting the uninteresting baby to sleep. 

"Well, " thought she, her self-esteem reviving, "I wish that woman onlycould know I wasn't to blame! I don't believe _she_ could have take careof that baby when she was six years old. "

"Here we are at Boston, " said Mr. Parlin. "Is your hat tied on? Keepclose to me, and don't be afraid of the crowd. "

Dotty was not in the least afraid. She was not like Prudy, who, on thesame journey, had clung tremblingly to her father at every change ofcars. In Dotty's case there was more danger of her being reckless thantoo timid. 

They went to a hotel. Mr. Parlin's business would detain him an hour ortwo, he said; after that he would take his little daughter to walk onthe Common; and next morning, bright and early, they would proceed ontheir journey. 

It was the first time Dotty had ever dined at a public house. A bill offare was something entirely new to her. She wondered how it happenedthat the Boston printers knew what the people in that hotel were aboutto have for dinner. 

Mr. Parlin looked with amusement at the demure little lady beside him. Not a sign of curiosity did she betray, except to gaze around her withkeen eyes, which saw everything, even to the pattern of the napkins. Some time she would have questions to ask, but not now. 

"And what would you like for dinner, Alice?"

Mr. Parlin said this as they were sipping their soup. Dotty glanced atthe small table before them, which offered scarcely anything butsalt-cellars and castors, and then at the paper her father held in hishand. She was about to reply that she would wait till the table wasready; but as there was one man seated opposite her, and anotherstanding at the back of her chair, she merely said, --

"I don't know, papa. "

"A-la-mode beef; fricasseed chicken; Calcutta curry, " read hermischievous father from the bill, as fast as he could read; "macaroni;salsify; flummery; sirup of cream. You see it is hard to make a choice, dear. Escaloped oysters; pigeon pie postponed. "

"I'll take some of that, papa, " broke in Dotty. 

"What, dear?"

"Some of the pigeon pie 'sponed, " answered Dotty, in a low voice, determined to come to a decision of some sort. It was not likely to makemuch difference what she should choose, when everything was alikewonderful and strange. 

"Pigeon pie postponed, " said Mr. Parlin to the man at the back ofDotty's chair; "turkey with oysters for me. "

The polite waiter smiled so broadly that he showed two long rows ofwhite teeth. It could not be Dotty who amused him. Her conduct was allthat is prim and proper. She sat beside her papa as motionless as awaxen baby, her eyes rolling right and left, as if they were jerked by asecret wire. It certainly could not have been Dotty. Then what was itthe man saw which was funny?

"Only one pigeon pie in the house, sir, " said he, trying to look verysolemn, "and if the young lady will be pleased to wait, I'll bring itto her in a few minutes. No such dish on any of the other bills of fare. A rarity for this special day, sir. Anything else, miss, while youwait?"

Mr. Parlin looked rather surprised. There had been no good reason givenfor not bringing the pie at once; however, he merely asked Dotty tochoose again; and this time she chose "tomato steak, " at a venture. 

There were two gentlemen at the opposite side of the table, and one ofthem watched Dotty with interest. 

"Her mother has taken great pains with her, " he thought; "she handlesher knife and fork very well. Where have I seen that child before?"

While he was still calling to mind the faces of various little girls ofhis acquaintance, and trying to remember which face belonged to Dotty, the waiter arrived with the "pigeon pie postponed. " He had chosen thetime when most of the people had finished their first course, and theclinking of dishes was not quite so hurried as it had been a littlewhile before. The table at which Mr. Parlin sat was nearly in the centreof the room. As the waiter approached with the pie, the same amused lookpassed over his face once more. 

He set the dish upon the table near Mr. Parlin, who proceeded to cut apiece for Miss Dimple. As the knife went into the pie, the crust seemedto move; and lo, "when the pie was opened, " out flew a pigeon alive andwell!

The bird at first hopped about the table in a frightened way, a littleblind and dizzy from being shut up in such a dark prison; but a fewbreaths of fresh air revived him, and he flew merrily around the room, to the surprise and amusement of the guests. It was a minute or twobefore any of them understood what it meant. Then they began to laughand say they knew why the pie was "postponed:" it was because the pigeonwas not willing to be eaten alive. 

It passed as a capital joke; but I doubt if Dotty Dimple appreciated it. She looked at the hollow crust, and then at the purple-crested dove, andthought a hotel dinner was even more peculiar than she had supposed. Didthey have "live pies" every day? How did they bake them without evenscorching the pigeons? But she busied herself with her nuts and raisins, and asked no questions. 

At four o'clock she went with, her father to see the Public Gardens andother places of interest, and to buy a pair of new gloves. On theCommon they met one of the gentlemen who had sat opposite them atdinner. He bowed as they were passing, and said, with a smile, --

"Can this be my little friend, Miss Prudy Parlin?"

"It is her younger sister, Alice, " replied her father. 

"And I am Major Benjamin Lazelle, of St. Louis, " said the gentleman. 

After this introduction, the three walked along in company, and seemedto feel like old acquaintances; for Major Lazelle had once escorted Mrs. Clifford on a journey to Maine, and since that time had been well knownto the Clifford family. Mr. Parlin was glad to learn that he would startfor St. Louis on the next day, and travel with himself and daughternearly as far as they went. Major Lazelle was also well pleased, andbegan at once to make friends with Miss Dimple. The little girl hadrecovered from her trials of the morning, and was so delighted with allshe saw that she "couldn't walk on two feet. " She preferred to hop, skip, and jump. 

"O, papa, papa, what _are_ those little dears, just the color of my kidgloves?"

"Those are deer, my child. "

"Are they? I _said_ they were dears--didn't I? If they were _my_ dears, I'd keep them in a parlor, and let them lie on a silk quilt with avelvet pillow--wouldn't you?"

"This little girl reminds me strikingly of my old friend Prudy, " saidMajor Lazelle, taking her hand. "When I saw her across the table Ithought, 'Ah, now, there is a sweet little child who makes me remembersomething pleasant. ' After a while I knew what that pleasant thingwas--it was little Prudy. "

Dotty looked up at Major Lazelle with a smile. 

"She came to see me when I was in a hospital in Indiana. At that time Iwas blind. "

"Blind, sir?"

"Yes; but I see quite well now. Afterwards I met your sister on thestreet in Portland, and she spoke to me. I was very weak and miserable, for I had just been ill of a fever; but the sight of her bright facemade me feel strong again. "

Dotty's fingers closed around Major Lazelle's with a firmer clasp. If heliked Prudy, then she should certainly like him. 

"Shall I tell you of some verses I repeated to myself when I looked atyour dear little sister?"

"Yes, sir, if you please. "

 "'Why, a stranger, when he sees her In the street even, smileth stilly, Just as you would at a lily. 

 "'And if any painter drew her, He would paint her unaware, With the halo round her hair. '

"I dare say you do not understand poetry very well, Miss Alice?"

"No, sir. I s'pose I should if I knew what the words meant. "

"Very likely. Is your sister Prudy well? and how do you two contrive toamuse yourselves all the day long?"

"Yes, sir, she's well; and we don't amuse ourselves at all. "

"Indeed! But you play, I presume. "

"Yes, sir, we do. "

"I feel sure you are just such another dear little girl as Prudy is, and it gives me pleasure to know you. "

Dotty dropped her head. She was glad her father was too far off to hearthis remark. 

"Just such another dear little girl as Prudy is!"

Alas! Dotty knew better than that. She was not sure she ought not totell Major Lazelle he had made a great mistake. But while she waspondering upon it, they met a blind man, a lame man, and a party ofschool-girls; and she had so much use for her eyes that she did notspeak again for five minutes. 

CHAPTER V. 

THE MAJOR'S JOKE. 

While Dotty was dressing next morning, she fell to thinkingagain of her own importance as a young lady travelling _almost_ allalone by herself; and then it occurred to her that Jennie Vance, thejudge's daughter, had never been any farther than Boston. 

"When she comes to Portland next winter to see her aunties that livethere, then I'll talk to her all about my travelling out West. But Ineedn't tell her how that baby choked, nor how that naughty Dollyphusmade fun of me. No, indeed!"

As she spoke she was pouring water into the wash-bowl; but herindignation towards Mrs. Lovejoy and "Dollyphus" made her hand unsteady;the pitcher came suddenly against the edge of the bowl, whereupon itsnose and part of its body flew off into space. Dotty held the handle, and looked at the ruins in astonishment. 

"Did _I_ do that?"

She had no time to spend in lamentation. 

"I don't want to let my papa know what I've done, " thought she, givingthe last hasty touches to her toilet: "he'll have to go and pay the manthat keeps house; and then I'm afraid he'll think, if his little girlkeeps choking folks and breaking things, I ought to stay at home. "

But Dotty was too well grounded in the "white truth" to hesitate long. She could not hide the accident and be happy. When she mentioned it toher father, he did not say, as some fathers might have done, --

"You careless child! Your sister _Prudy_ didn't break a pitcher or losea pair of gloves all the way to Indiana. "

He and Mrs. Parlin were both afraid that, if they spoke in this manner, their children might infer that carelessness is just as sinful asfalsehood and ill temper; they wished them to know there is a vastdifference. So Mr. Parlin only said, --

"Broken the pitcher? I'm sorry; but you did right to tell me. Give meyour hand, and let us go to breakfast. "

Major Lazelle was at table. He patted Dotty's head, and said she lookedlike "a sweet-pea on tiptoe for a flight. " He seemed very fond ofquoting poetry; and nothing could have been more pleasing to Dotty, wholoved to hear high-sounding words, even if they did soar above herhead. 

The party of three started in due time on their journey. It was verymuch the same thing it had been yesterday; boys with tea-kettles ofice-water, boys with baskets of fruit and lozenges, and boys withnewspapers. There was a long train of cars, and every car was crowded. 

"O, papa, " sighed Dotty, after she had tried to count the passengers, and had been obliged to give it up because there were so many steppingoff at every station, and so many more stepping in. "O, papa, where areall these people going to?"

And in the afternoon she repeated the question, adding, --

"I shouldn't think there'd be anybody left in any of the houses. "

By the time they reached Albany, she had seen so much of the world thatshe felt fairly worn out, and her head hummed like a hive of bees. 

"I didn't know, papa, --I never knew, --there were so many folks!"

The next letter Dotty had to read was from Prudy. It was merely a poemcopied very carefully. You may skip it if you like; but the major saidit was exquisite, and I think the major must have been a good judge, forI have the same opinion myself!

 "LITTLE DANDELION. 

 "Gay little Dandelion Lights up the meads, Swings on her slender foot, Telleth her beads; Lists to the robin's note Poured from above; Wise little Dandelion Cares not for love. 

 "Cold lie the daisy banks, Clad but in green, Where in the Mays agone Bright hues were seen; Wild pinks are slumbering, Violets delay; True little Dandelion Greeteth the May. 

 "Brave little Dandelion! Fast falls the snow, Bending the daffodil's Haughty head low. Under that fleecy tent, Careless of cold, Blithe little Dandelion Counteth her gold. 

 "Meek little Dandelion Groweth more fair, Till dies the amber dew Out of her hair. High rides the thirsty sun, Fiercely and high; Faint little Dandelion Closeth her eye. 

 "Pale little Dandelion In her white shroud, Heareth the angel breeze Call from the cloud. Fairy plumes fluttering Make no delay; Little winged Dandelion Soareth away. "

This night was spent at Albany; and, as the evening closed with a littleadventure I will tell you about it; and that will be all that it isnecessary to relate of Dotty's journey. 

Mr. Parlin, Major Lazelle, and our heroine were sitting, after theirlate tea, in a private parlor. It was time Dotty was asleep but, whileshe was waiting for her papa, Major Lazelle held her on his knee. Mr. Parlin was writing letters, and did not listen to the conversation goingon between his little daughter and her friend. They commenced by talkingabout Zip. Dotty said he knew as much as a boy. 

"I did think once he was my brother. And now I'm glad I didn't have areal brother; for if he _had_ been, p'rhaps he'd have burned up ourhouse with a cracker. "

"So you think little girls are nicer than little boys?"

"O, yes, sir; don't you?"

Dotty spoke as if there could be no doubt about it. 

"I like good little girls, " said Major Lazelle, "such as can ride awhole day in the cars without growing cross. "

This compliment gratified Dotty. She felt that she deserved it, for shehad kept her temper admirably ever since she left home. 

"I am sure you will grow up, one of these days, to be a very goodwoman, " continued Major Lazelle, looking with an admiring smile at thegraceful little girl seated on his knee. "You tell me you have neverbeen at school. I hope you do not mean to frolic all your life? Whatwere little girls made for, do you think?"

Dotty reflected a moment. 

"What are little girls made for, sir? Why, they are made to play, 'cause they can't play when they grow to be ladies. "

The major laughed. 

"Pretty well said! You're rather too shrewd for such an 'old mustache'as I. So little girls are made to play? Then suppose we two have a game. Let us play chip-chop. "

Dotty was becoming sleepy, but aroused herself, and patted her littlesoft hands as hard as she could, tossing them hither and thither, sometimes hitting her companion's thumb, sometimes his little finger. Major Lazelle laughed, and then she laughed too; for when he tried tostrike her hands, he said it was like aiming at a pair of rose-leavesfluttering in the air. 

The chip-chop was a complete failure; but it had set them both in greatglee. If truth be told, they became excessively rude. 

"Now, sir, " said Dotty, as they ran across the room, playing a game ofromps, "if you do catch me again, I'll--O, dear, I don't know what I'lldo!"

Mr. Parlin looked up from his letter a little annoyed, for the floor wasshaking so that he could scarcely write. 

"Do not be rude, my daughter, " said he, though he knew very well themajor was really the one to be chided. 

But his warning came a minute too late. Major Lazelle had caught Dotty, and she had thrown up both hands to clutch at his hair. She meant togive it one desperate pulling; she did not care if she hurt him alittle; she even hoped he might cry out and beg her to stop. 

But the oddest thing happened. If she had gone to bed at the usual time, and fallen asleep, then this would have been her dream. But no, she_supposed_ she was awake; and what now?

As she seizes two locks of Major Lazelle's hair, one in each hand, andpulled them both as if she meant to draw them out by the roots, out theycame! Yes, entirely out! And more than that, all the rest of the man'shair came too! His head was left as smooth as an apple. 

_You_ see at once how it was. He wore a wig, and just for play had slylyunfastened it, and allowed Miss Dotty to pull it off. 

The perfect despair on her little face amused him vastly; but he did notsmile; he looked very severe. 

"See what you have done!" said he, rubbing his bald head as if it werejust ready to bleed. "See what you have done to me, you cruel girl!"

Major Lazelle's entire head of hair lay at her feet as brown and wavyas ever it was. Dotty looked at it with horror. The idea of scalping aman!

For a whole minute she lost the power of speech. Then she gasped out, --

"O, dear! dear! dear! I didn't know your hair was so tender!"

The major had been crowding his handkerchief into his mouth; but at thishe could no longer restrain himself, nor could Mr. Parlin help joiningin the laugh. 

[Illustration: THE MAJOR'S JOKE. Page 78. ]

The little girl was more bewildered than ever. She put her hand to herown head, to make sure it was safe, for it felt as airy as a dandeliontop. 

Then Major Lazelle explained to her in a few words what a wig is, andhow it is fastened to the head. Dotty understood it all in a moment, butwas too much chagrined to make any reply. 

"I am several years younger than your papa, my dear; so you think itstrange to see me bald; but I have had two dreadful fevers, and theyhave run away with every bit of my hair. "

Dotty would not even look up to see Major Lazelle replace his wig. Herdignity had been wounded. 

"Come, sit on my knee, Pussy, and let me tell you some more about it. "

"No, I thank you, sir, " replied she, walking the floor with the air ofan injured princess. "No, I thank you, sir. "

"How, now, little one? You don't mean to be angry with me for a littlejoke?"

"No, I thank you. "

And that was all Dotty would say. She was wise enough to know she wastoo angry to speak. 

"Ah, ha! temper, I see!" thought Major Lazelle; "I did not suspect itfrom that quarter. "

If the young gentleman had only known how hard the little girl wasstruggling just then to control herself, he would have liked her betterthan ever. 

Her father chided her next morning for taking a joke so seriously. Dottyreplied with a deep sigh, --

"Papa, that major 'sposes I'm only five years old! That's what Dollyphuss'posed! I don't like it, papa, when I can travel so well; and how'd _I_know what a wig was, well; you and mamma never had any?"

But Dotty smiled as benevolently as she could when she met the majoragain. He was a little afraid of her, however. He did not enjoy playingwith her as he had enjoyed it before. He now felt obliged to be on hisguard, lest she should take offence. 

The rest of her journey--though Dotty did not know it--was not quite sodelightful as it might have been if she had only laughed with good humorwhen the lively major let her pull his hair out by the roots. 

But the cars went "singing through the forest, and rattling overridges, " till it was time to part from the pleasant man with a wig. Thenthey went on, "shooting under arches, rambling over bridges, " till Dottyand her papa had come to their journey's end. We will say it was thetown of Quinn. 

CHAPTER VI. 

NEW FACES. 

The Cliffords lived a little way out of town. Mr. Parlin took acarriage at the depot, and he and Dotty had a very pleasant drive to"Aunt 'Ria's. "

The little girl was rather travel-stained. Her gloves were somewhatragged at the tips, from her habit of twitching them so much; and theywere also badly soiled with fruit and candy. Her hair was as smooth ashands could make it; but alas for the "style" hat which had leftPortland in triumph! It had reached Indiana in disgrace. Its tipsyappearance was due to getting stepped on, and being caught in showers. Dotty's neat travelling dress was defaced by six large grease spots. Where they had come from Dotty could not conjecture, unless "that sicklady with a bottle had spilled some of her cod-oil on it out of aspoon. "

The child had intended to astonish her relatives by her tidy array; but, after all her pains, she had arrived out West in a very sorry plight. 

"Now, which side must I look for the house, papa?"

"At your right hand, my dear. The first thing you will see is theconservatory, and then a stone house. "

"My right hand, " thought Dotty; "that's east; but which is my righthand?"

She always knew after she had thought a moment. It was the one which didnot have the "shapest thumb;" that is, the _misshapen_ one she hadpounded once by mistake, instead of an oilnut. 

"O, yes, papa! See the flowers! the flowers! And only to think theydon't know who's coming! P'rhaps they're drinking tea, or gone visiting, or something. "

The Cliffords were not at tea. Grace and Cassy were reading "Our Boysand Girls" in the summer-house, with their heads close together; Horacewas in the woods fishing; Mr. Clifford at his office; his wife in herchamber, ruffling a pink cambric frock for wee Katie, rocking as shesewed. 

As for Katie, she was marching about the grounds under an old umbrella. It was only the skeleton of an umbrella--dry bones, wires, and a crookedhandle. Through the open sides the little one was plainly to be seen;and Mr. Parlin thought she looked like that flower we have in ourgardens, which peeps out from a host of little tendrils, and is calledthe "lady in the bower. "

Hearing a carriage coming, the "lady in the bower" rushed to the gate, flourishing the black bones of the umbrella directly in the horse'sface. 

"Dotty has camed! She has camed!" shouted the little creature, droppingthe umbrella, falling over it, springing up again, and running withflying feet to spread the news. 

Nobody believed Dotty had "camed;" it seemed an improbable story; butGrace and Cassy had heard the wheels, and they ran through the avenueinto the house to make sure it was nobody but one of the neighbors. 

"Why, indeed, and indeed, it _is_ Dotty; and if here isn't Uncle Edwardtoo!" cried Grace, tossing back her curls, and dancing down the frontsteps. "Ma, ma, here is Uncle Edward Parlin!"

"I sawed um first! I sawed um first!" screamed little Flyaway, thrustingthe point of the umbrella between Dotty's feet, and throwing her over. 

"Can I believe my eyes!" said Mrs. Clifford's voice from the head of thestairs; and down she rushed, with open arms, to greet her guests. 

Then there was so much kissing, and so much talking, that nobody exactlyknew what anybody else said; and Katie added to the confusion byfluttering in and out, and every now and then breaking into a musicallaugh, which the mocking-bird, not to be outdone, caught up and echoed. It was a merry, merry meeting. 

"You dee papa bringed you--didn't him, Dotty?" said Katie, flying at hercousin with the feather duster, as soon as Grace had taken away theumbrella, and pointing her remarks with the end of the handle. 

"You's Uncle Eddard's baby--that's what is it. "

"O, you darling Flyaway!" said Dotty, "if you _wouldn't_ stick thathandle right _into_ my eyes!"

"I's going to give you sumpin!" returned Katie, putting her hand in herpocket, and producing a very soft orange, which had been used for afootball. "It's a ollinge. _You_ can eat um, 'cause I gived um to you. "

"Thank you, O, thank you. Flyaway: how glad I am to see you! You lookjust the same, and no different. "

"O, no, I'm is growin' homely, " replied the baby, cheerfully, "vellyhomely; Hollis said so. "

By the time Dotty's crushed hat was off, and she had made herself readyfor tea, trying to hide three of the six grease-spots with her hands, Horace appeared with a little birch switch across his shoulder, strungwith fish. The fish were few and small; but Horace was just as tired, hesaid, as if he had caught a whale. He did not say he was glad to see hisyoung cousin; but joy shone all over his face. 

"We'll have times--won't we, little Topknot?" said he, taking Katie upbetween his fingers, as if she had been a pinch of snuff. 

"Is you _found_ of ollinges, Dotty?" asked Flyaway, with an anxiousglance at the yellow fruit in Dotty's hand, still untasted. 

After tea the orange lay on the lounge. 

"I's goin' to give you a ollinge, " said Katie, presenting it again, asif it were a new one. But after she had given it away three times, shethought her duty was done. 

"If you please um, " said she, coaxingly, "I dess _I'll_ eat a slice o'that ollinge. "

So she had the whole. 

"Dotty, have you seen Phebe?" asked Horace. 

"No; where does she live?"

"O, out in the kitchen. Prudy saw her when she was here, ever so longago. She hasn't faded any since. "

"O, now I remember, she's a niggro, as black as a _sip_. "

"Yes; come out and see her. She's famous for making candy. She learnedthat of Barby. "

"Who is Barby?"

"The Dutch girl we had before Katinka came. "

Dotty went into the kitchen with Horace to watch the candy-making. Thiswas a favorite method with him of entertaining visitors. 

[Illustration: MAKING MOLASSES CANDY. --Page 92. ]

Phebe Dolan was a young colored girl, who had a very desirable home atMrs. Clifford's, but who always persisted in going about the house in adejected manner, as if some one had treated her unkindly. For all that, she was very happy; and under her solemn face was a deal of quiet fun. 

Katinka Dinkelspiel was a good-natured German girl, with a face as roundas a full moon, and eyes as expressive as two blots of blue paint. Shewore her fair hair rolled in front on each side into a puff like acapital O. Dotty looked at her in surprise. She was very unlike Norah, who wore bright ribbons on her head. And Katinka talked broken English, stirring up her words in such a way that the sentences were likeChinese puzzles; they needed to be taken apart and put togetherdifferently. 

"Please to make the door too, " she said to Horace; and it was half aminute before Dotty understood that she was asking him to shut it. 

"This is my cousin Dotty Dimple, girls; the handsomest of the family;but not the best one--are you, though?" at the same time giving MissDimple a chair. 

"How d'ye, miss?" said Phebe, mournfully. 

Katinka said nothing, but patted the letter O on the right side of herhead. 

"O, Phib, my mother says if you are not too tired, you may make somecandy; she said so, candidly. "

Horace was just old enough to delight in puns. 

Now, this was a pleasant message to Phebe; she would have been glad tokeep her fingers in molasses half the time. Still it seemed to Dotty, asshe saw the rolling of the black eyes, that Phebe was quite discouraged. 

"I s'pose she doesn't like candy, " thought she; "I heard of a girl oncethat didn't. "

Rolling her sad eyes again and again, Phebe went to draw the molasses, and soon had it boiling on the stove. 

"There, " said Horace, rubbing his hands, "I told Dotty if anybody knewhow to make candy 'twas Phebe Dolan. Give us the nut-cracker, and I'llhave the pecans ready in no time. "

This time Phebe's eyes twinkled. As soon as the molasses would pour fromthe spoon in just the right way, with little films like spiders' websfloating from it, then Phebe said it was done, and Horace called Graceand Cassy. Phebe stirred in some soda with an air of solemnity, thenpoured half the contents of the kettle into a buttered platter, and theother half into a second platter lined with pecan-meats. Then she tookthe whole out of doors to cool. 

"I'll tell you what I'm thinking about, " said Dotty, as the girl leftthe room;--"what has she got on her head?"

"Why, hair, to be sure, " replied Grace. 

"Wool, I should call it, " corrected Horace. 

"Because I didn't know, " faltered Dotty, --"I didn't know but 'twas awig. "

"What made you think 'twas a wig, Dotty?"

"O, there was a man wore one in the cars; it looked just like anybody'shair, only he tied it on with a button. He knew you and Horace. "

"Me and Horace? Who could it have been?"

"He's the major; his name is Lazelle. "

"O, I remember him, " said Grace and Horace together. "Does he wear awig? He isn't old at all. "

"He _calls_ himself 'an old mustache, '" returned Dotty, "for he said soto me. He wears one of those _hair-lips_, and a wig. "

"And he's as blind as a post?"

"O, no, he can see things now. I liked him, for he gave me all theapples and peaches I could eat. "

"I reckon it did him good to go to the war, " exclaimed Horace, "for Iremember, when I was a little fellow, how he boxed my ears!"

"He has suffered a great deal since then, " said the gentle Cassy, thoughtfully. "You know people generally grow better by suffering. "

"Dotty dear, you can't keep your eyes open, " said Grace, after thecandy had been pulled. "I don't believe it will make _you_ any better tosuffer. I'm going to put you to bed. "

"And here I am, " thought Dotty, as she laid her tired head on thepillow, "out West, under a sketo bar. Got here safe. I ought to havethanked God a little harder in my prayer. "

CHAPTER VII. 

WAKING UP OUT WEST. 

Dotty was wakened next morning by a variety of sounds. Themocking-bird, the canary, the hens, and Horace's guinea pig were astir, and wished their little world to be aware of it. Flyaway was dressed andrunning about, making herself generally useful. 

Before the tired young traveller knew where she was, a little hand wasbusy at the door knob, and a baby voice called out, --

"Dottee, Dottee, is you waked up?"

"O, now I know where I am! This is Aunt 'Ria's house, and that littlesnip of a Flyaway is trying to get in. O, dear, dear, how far off I am!Prudy Parlin, I wonder if you're thinking about me?"

"Dottee! Dottee!" called the small voice again. 

"O, I s'pose that baby'll stand at the door all day. "

But just then the knob turned, and in rushed Flyaway out of breath. 

"Good-morning, Miss Topknot, " said Dotty, addressing her by one of thedove-names Horace was so fond of using. 

"O, I's pitty well, " replied Flyaway, dancing across the room. "I didn'tsleep any till las' night. I d'eamed awtul d'eams; so I kep' awake, andwouldn't go to sleep. "

And into bed climbed the little one, laying her head, with its tangledfloss, right across Dotty's face. 

"Dear me!" sighed Dotty, rubbing the floss out of her eyes. "Such hair!I should think _you_ wore a wig! I'm sleepy; can't you let me be?"

"You mus' wake up, Dottee! _I_ love to wake up; I can do it velly easy. "

Dotty, losing her patience, moved forward, pushing Katie towards theedge of the bed. 

"O, ho! what a little bedstick! I'll yole out!"

"I wish you would, Flyaway Clifford!"

No sooner said than done. Off rolled Flyaway, but alighted on her feet. 

"O, my shole, " cried she, scrambling in again; "I fell down backboards. O, ho!"

Such good nature was not to be resisted. Sleepy Dotty waked up and smiledin spite of herself; and next minute her persecutor was skipping downstairs. 

"Glad she's gone. Now I'll put on my pretty morning dress; Aunt 'Riahung it up in the closet. I'm going to be a little lady all the time I'mout West, and not jump off of things and tear my clothes. "

Then Dotty's mind strayed to a very different subject. 

"It is so queer God is in this country just the same as He is in theState of Maine! I said my prayers to Him before I started, and there Hewas and heard; and now He's here and hears too; I don't see how. Youcan't think without He sees your thoughts. "

Dotty, brushing her hair, looked in the glass so intently that she didnot observe her Aunt Maria, who had quietly entered the room. Mrs. Clifford was a wise woman, but she could not look into her niece'sheart. She thought Dotty was admiring her own beauty in the mirror, whereas the child was not thinking of it at all. 

What Mr. Beecher once said of little folks is very true:--

"Ah, well, there is a world of things in children's minds that grown-uppeople do not understand, though they too once were young. "

Mrs. Clifford went up to Dotty and kissed her. Then the little girl wasstartled from her musings, and passing down stairs with her hand in Mrs. Clifford's, thought she should be perfectly happy if dear Prudy wereonly on the other side of her. 

Everything she saw that was new or strange she had to stop and admire, thinking it was an article that could only belong out West. 

"O, auntie, what is this queer little thing with doors?"

"Grace's cabinet, dear. "

"Her _cabijen_, " exclaimed Flyaway, darting in from the next room. 

"Good morning, Dotty Dimple, " said Horace: "did my Guinea pig wake you?I lost him out. What a noise he made! I wish he was in Guinea, where hecame from. "

Dotty had never seen a Guinea pig. It was another curiosity, whichpromised to be more remarkable than Phebe or Katinka. She began to thinkcoming West was like having one long play-day. Even the dining-room wasa novelty, with the swinging fan suspended over the table to keep offflies. 

"I have been wondering, " said Mrs. Clifford, as she urned the coffee, "how we shall amuse our little Dotty while she is here. "

"Fishing, " suggested Horace. 

"Nutting, " said Grace. 

"_Prudy_ went to a _wedding_ when she was in Indiana, " remarked Dotty, in a low voice. 

"We will try to get up a wedding then, " said Horace; "but they are alittle out of fashion now. "

"We have been thinking, " observed Mrs. Clifford, "of a nutting excursionfor to-day. How would you like it, Edward?"

"Very much, " replied Mr. Parlin. "I can spend but one day with you, andI would as lief spend it nutting as in any other way. "

"Only one day, Uncle Edward!" cried Grace and Horace. 

"Only one day, papa!" stammered Dotty, feeling like a little kitten who_did_ have her paw on a mouse, but sees the mouse disappear down a hole. 

"O, I shall leave you, my daughter. You will stay here a week or two, and meet me in Indianapolis. "

Dotty was able to eat once more. 

"Father, what are we to do for horses to go nutting with?" spoke upHorace. "Robin raked this part of town yesterday with a fine-toothcomb, and couldn't find anything but an old clothes' horse, and that waspast travelling. "

"My son!"

Mr. Clifford's face said very plainly, --

"Not so flippant, my child!"

But the only remark he made was to the effect that there were doubtlesshorses to be found in the city at the stables. 

"What about the infant, mamma?" said Grace. "Is she to be one of theparty?"

When Katie was present she was sometimes mysteriously mentioned as "theinfant. " It was quite an undertaking to allow her to go; but Mrs. Clifford had yielded the point an hour or two before, out of regard toHorace's feelings. She knew the nutting party would be spoiled for himif his beloved little Topknot were left out. 

"Is I goin'?" asked she, when she heard the joyful news. "Yes, I'm _are_goin' to get some horse. "

"No, some pecans, you little Brown-brimmer. "

Katie had a dim suspicion that she owed this pleasure to her brother'sinfluence. 

"Hollis, " said she, eagerly, --"Hollis, you may have the red part o' myapple. "

This sounded like the very fulness of generosity, but was a hollowmockery; for by the "red part" she only meant the skin. 

Mr. Clifford had one horse, and while Robin Sherwood was going to thecity for another, Mrs. Clifford made ready the lunch. 

Happy Dotty walked about, twirling a lock of her front hair, and watchedKatinka cleaning the already nice paint, spilling here and there "littledrops of water, little grains of sand. " She also observed the solemn yetdextrous manner in which Phebe washed the breakfast dishes, and lookedon with peculiar interest as Aunt Maria filled the basket. 

First there were custards to be baked in little cups and freckled withnutmeg, to please Uncle Edward. Then there was a quantity of eggs to beboiled hard. As Mrs. Clifford dropped these one by one into a kettle ofwater, Katie ran to the back door, and cried out to the noisy hens, --

"Stop cacklerin', chickie; we've got 'em. "

Then, fearing she had not made herself understood, she added, --

"We've found your _aigs_, chickie; they was ror, but we's goin' to bake'em. "

Dotty was impressed with the beauty of the picnic basket and thedelicacy of the food. Everything she saw was rose-colored to-day. 

"O, Aunt 'Ria, I should think you'd like to live out West! Such splendidfruit cake!"

"I saw Fibby and my mamma make that, " said Flyaway, "out o' cindamon andlittle clovers. "

"Clovers in cake?"

"Not red and white clovers; them little bitter kinds you know, " addedthe child, with a wry face. 

There were four for each carriage. Dotty rode with her father, Mrs. Clifford, and Katie. Little Flyaway looked at the hired phaeton withcontempt. 

"It hasn't any cap on, like my papa's, " said she; but she was prevailedupon to ride in it because her mamma did. 

Horace went with his father and the "cup and saucer, " as he called Graceand Cassy. He was in a state of irritation because his idolized Topknotwas in the other carriage. 

"You can't separate that cup and saucer, " growled he to himself. "They'll sit and talk privacy, I suppose; and I might have hadBrown-brimmer if it hadn't been for Cassy. "

CHAPTER VIII. 

GOING NUTTING. 

As they drove along "the plank road, " farther and farther awayfrom the city, Dotty saw more clearly than ever the wide differencebetween Indiana and Maine. 

"Why, papa, " said she, "did you ever breathe such a dust? It seems likesnuff. "

"It makes us almost as invisible as the 'tarn cap' we read of in Germanfairy tales, " said Mrs. Clifford, tucking her brown veil under her chin. 

She and Mr. Parlin both encouraged Dotty to talk; for they liked to hearher exclamations of wonder at things which to them seemed common-placeenough. 

"What did you call this road, Aunt 'Ria? Didn't you say it was made ofboards? I don't see any boards. "

"The planks were put down so long ago, Dotty, that they are overlaidwith earth. "

"But what did they put them down for?"

"You musser ask so many kestions, Dotty, " said Flyaway, severely; "yousay 'what' too many times. "

"The planks were laid down, Dotty, on account of the depth of the mud. "

"Mud, Aunt 'Ria?"

"Yes, dear, dusty as it is now, at some seasons of the year the roadsare so muddy that you might lose off your overshoes if it were not forthe large beams which bridge over the crossings. "

"That reminds me, " said Mr. Parlin, "of the man who was seen sinking inthe mud, and, when some one offered to help him out, he replied, cheerfully, 'O, I shall get through; I have a horse under me. '"

"Why, was the horse 'way down out of sight, papa?"

"Where was the hossy, Uncle Eddard?"

"It was only a story, children. If the man said there was a horse underhim, it was a figure of speech, which we call hyperbole; he only meantto state in a funny way that the mud was excessively deep. "

"Is it right to tell hyperblees, papa? Because Jennie Vance tells them agreat deal. I didn't know the name of them before. "

"No, Alice, it is not right to tell untrue things expecting to bebelieved--of course not. "

"Well, _she_ isn't believed. Nobody s'poses her mamma made a bushel ofcurrant wine last summer, unless it's a baby, that doesn't know anybetter. "

"_I_ knows better. I'se a goorl, and can walk, " said little Katie, bridling. 

"I didn't say you _were_ a baby, you precious Flyaway! Who's cunning?"

"_I'm_ is, " replied the child, settling back upon the seat with a sighof relief. She was very sensitive on the point of age, and, like Dotty, could not abide the idea of being thought young. 

"How far are we going?" asked Mr. Parlin. 

"I do not know exactly, " replied Mrs. Clifford; "but I will tell you howfar Mr. Skeels, one of our oldest natives, calls it. He says 'he reckonsit is three screeches. '"

"How far is a 'screech, ' pray?"

"The distance a human voice can be heard, I presume. "

"Let us try it, " said Dotty Dimple; and she instantly set up a scream soloud that the birds in the trees took to their wings in alarm. Katiechimed in with a succession of little shrieks about as powerful as thepeep of a little chicken. 

"I have heard that they once measured distances by 'shoots, '" said Mrs. Clifford, laughing; "but I hope it will not be necessary to illustrate_them_ by firing a gun. "

They next passed on old and weatherworn graveyard. 

"This, " said Mrs. Clifford, "was once known, in the choice language ofthe backwoodsmen, as a 'briar-patch;' and when people died, it was saidthey 'winked out. '"

"'Winked out, ' Aunt 'Ria? how dreadful!"

"Wing tout, " echoed Katie; "how defful!"

"O, what beautiful, beautiful grass we're riding by, auntie! When thewind blows it, it _winks_ so softly! Why, it looks like a green riverrunning ever so fast. "

"That is a sort of prairie land, dear, and very rich. Look on the otherside of the road, and tell me what you think of those trees. "

"O, Aunt 'Ria, I couldn't climb up there, nor a boy either! It wouldtake a pretty spry squirrel--wouldn't it, though?"

"A pitty sp'y squirrel, I fink, " remarked Katie, who did not considerany of Dotty's sentences complete until she herself had added afinishing touch. 

"They are larger than our trees, Alice. "

"O, yes, papa. They look as if they grew, and grew, and forgot to stop. "

"Velly long trees, tenny rate, " said Katie, throwing up her arms inimitation of branches, and jumping so high that her mother was obligedto take her in her lap in order to keep her in the carriage. 

"And, O, papa, it is so smooth between the trees, we can peep like aspy-glass, right through! Why, it seems like a church. "

"_I_ don't see um, " said Katie, stretching her neck and looking in vainfor a church. 

"'The groves were God's first temples, '" repeated Mr. Parlin, reverently. "These trees have no undergrowth of shrubs, like our NewEngland trees. "

"But, O, look! look, papa! What is that long green _dangle_, drippingdown from up high? No, swinging up from down low?'

"Yes, what is um, Uncle Eddard?"

"That is a mistletoe-vine embracing a hickory tree. It is called a'tree-thief, ' because it steals its food from the tree it grows upon. "

"Why, papa, I shouldn't think 'twas a thief, for the tree knows it. Athief comes in the night, when there doesn't anybody know it. _I_ shouldthink 'twas a _beggar_. "

"_I_ fink so too, " said Flyaway, straining her eyes to look at she knewnot what. "I fink um ought to ask _pease_. "

"All this tract of country where we are riding now, " said Mrs. Clifford, "was overflowed last spring by the river. It is called 'bottom land, 'and is extremely rich. "

"I never thought the Hoojers had a very clean, blue, pretty river, " saidDotty, thoughtfully; "it looks some like a mud-puddle. Perhaps itcarried off too much of this dirt. "

"Muddy-puddil, " replied Katie, "full of dirt. "

As they rode they passed houses whose chimneys were inhospitably leftout of doors. 

"Why, look, auntie, " said Dotty; "theres a house turned wrong side out!"

These buildings had no cellars, but were propped upon logs, leaving roomfor the air to pass under the floor, and for other things to passunder, such as cats, dogs, and chickens. 

"Why, where _do_ the people go to when they want to go down cellar?"asked Dotty, in a maze. 

Near one of these houses she was seized with an irresistible thirst. Mr. Parlin gave the reins to Mrs. Clifford, and stepped out of the carriage, then helped Dotty and Katie to alight. 

They found a sharp-nosed woman cooking corn-dodgers for a family of ninechildren. Whether it was their breakfast or dinner hour, it was hard totell. When Mr. Parlin asked for water, the woman wiped her forehead withher apron, and replied, "O, yes, stranger, " and one of the little girls, whose face was stained with something besides the kisses of the sun, brought some water from the spring in a gourd. 

"Well, Dotty Dimple, " said Mrs. Clifford, when they were all on theirway again, "what did you see in the house?"

"O, I saw a woman with a whittled nose, and a box of flowers in thewindow. "

"And children, " said Katie; "four, five hunnerd chillen. "

"The box was labelled 'Assorted Lozenges, '" said Mr. Parlin; "but Iobserved that it contained a black imperial rose; so the occupants havean eye for beauty, after all. I presume they cannot trust their flowersout of doors on account of the pigs. "

"They brought me water in a squash-shell, " cried Dotty; "it _is_ sofunny out West!"

"_I_ dinked in a skosh-shell, too; and I fink it's _velly_ funny outWest!" said little Echo. 

They were riding behind the other carriage, and at some distance, inorder to avoid the dust from its wheels. 

"Henry has stopped, " said Mrs. Clifford. "We have reached 'Small'sEnlargement, ' and cannot comfortably ride any farther. The lot next tothis is ours, and it is there we are going for the pecans. "

Dotty could hardly wait to be lifted out, so eager was she to walk onthe "Small Enlargement. " She spoke of it afterwards as an "ensmallment;"and the confusion of ideas was very natural. It was the place whereGrace and the "Princess of the Ruby Seal" had gone, some years before, to have their fortunes told. It was a wild picturesque region, overgrownwith tulip trees, Judas trees, and scrub oaks. 

CHAPTER IX. 

IN THE WOODS. 

The party walked leisurely along till they came to a logchurch, which Mr. Parlin paused to admire. It was in harmony, he said, with the roughness of the landscape. 

"I should like to attend service here by moonlight; I think it would bevery sweet and solemn in such a lonely place. There would be no soundoutside; and as you looked through the open door, you would only see afew quiet trees listening to the words of praise. "

"The evenings here must seem like something holy, " said Mrs. Clifford, "'the nun-like evenings, telling dew-beads as they go. '"

"O, my shole!" cried Katie, dancing before the church door, and clappingher hands; "that's the bear's house, the _bear's_ house! Little boy wentin there, drank some of the old bear's podge, so _sour_ he couldn'tdrink it. " Here she looked disgusted, but added with a honeyed smile, "Then bimeby drank some o' _little_ bear's podge, and '_twas_ so sweethe drank it aw--all up!"

Everybody laughed, it was so absurd to think of looking for bears andporridge in a building where people met to worship. Dotty had just beensaying to herself, "How strange that God is in this mizzable house outWest, just as if it was in Portland!" But Katie had rudely broken inupon her meditations. 

"O, what a Flyaway!" said she; "you don't do any good. "

"Yes, I does. "

"Well, what?"

"O, I tell 'tories. "

"Is that all?"

"I p'ay with little goorls; and then I p'ay some more; and I wash dedishes. I'll tell _you_ a 'tory, " added she, balancing herself on astump, and making wild gestures with her arms, somewhat as she had seenHorace do. 

 "'Woe to de Dotties and sons 'o men, Woe to 'em all when I yoam again!'"

One wee forefinger pointed up to the sky; the right hand, doubled to athreatening little fist, was shaken at Dotty, while the young orator'sface was so wrinkled with scowls that Dotty laughed outright. 

"Do speak that again, " she said. "You are the cunningest baby!"

'"Woe to de Dotties--!' No, I can't tell it 'thout I have sumpin tostan' on!" sighed Miss Flyaway, falling off the stump directly againstDotty. 

"I believe you've broken me, " cried Dotty; for, though Katie was small, her weight pressed heavily. 

"Well, Fibby's broke sumpin too, " replied she, calmly. "What does lampswear?"

"I s'pose you mean chimneys. "

"Yes, Fibby has did it; she's broke a chimley. "

"Look up here, little Ruffleneck; you're an honor to the state, " saidbrother Horace, proudly. "You don't find such a 'cute child as this inYankee land, Dotty Dimple. "

"You musn't call me a Yankee, " said Dotty, who never liked Horace's tonewhen he used the word. "I'm not a Yankee; I'm a 'Publican!"

"Hurrah for you!" shouted Horace, swinging his hat; "hurrah for MissParlin Number Three!"

"Dear, dear! what have I said now? I don't want him to hurrah for me, "thought Dotty. 

Horace returned to his manners. 

"She's such a firebrand that I like to make her eyes flash; but we mustbe polite to visitors; so here goes. "

"Cousin Dotty, " said he aloud, dropping his mocking tones, and speakingvery respectfully, "if you are a true Republican, I honor you as such, and I'll never call you a Yankee again. "

"Well, I _am_ a 'Publican to the white bone!"

What Dotty meant by the "white bone" was rather uncertain, it being oneof those little figures of speech which will not bear criticism. 

"Then you believe in universal suffering?"

"O, yes, " answered Dotty, quickly. 

"And the black walnut bureau?"

Dotty hesitated. 

"If the 'Publicans do, and my father does. "

"O, yes; everybody believes in the black walnut bureau--that ever sawone. "

Dotty glanced at Horace stealthily; but his face was so serious that shewas sure he could not be making sport of her. They were walking a littlein advance of the others, Horace dragging Flyaway, who was intent upondigging her little heels into the ground. 

"This place is sometimes called Goblin Valley, " said the boy. "A goblinmeans a sort of ghost; but nobody but simpletons believe in suchthings, " added he, quickly, for he was too high-minded to wish tofrighten his little cousin. 

"O, I'm not at all afraid of such things, " said Dotty quietly; "I've gotall over it. I know what ghosts are now; they are pumpkins. "

"Excuse my smiling, " said Horace, laughing uproariously. 

"You may laugh, cousin Horace, but I've seen them. They have a candleinside; and that's why my father brought me out West, because the doctorsaid it frightened me so. Why, they had to pour water over me and drownme almost to death, or I'd have died!"

"I wonder!"

"Yes, 'twas Johnny Eastman; but his mamma gave me a beautiful littletea-set, with _golder_ rims than the one that was burnt up; and Johnnyand Percy both felt dreadfully. "

"Wanted the tea-set themselves--did they?"

"O, no; _they_ never play tea. That isn't why they feel dreadfully; it'sbecause, if they ever frighten me again, the Mayor'll have them put inthe _penitential_, and they know it. "

"They were mean fellows; that's a fact, " said Horace, with genuineindignation. "I used to be full of mischief when I was small; but Inever frightened a little girl in my life; and no boy would do it thatthinks anything of himself. "

Dotty looked up admiringly at the youth of twelve years, liking him allthe better for his chivalry, as any of you little girls would have done. 

"Boy-cousins are not always alike, " said she, as if the idea was quitenew; "some are good, and some are naugh--"

The word was cut in two by a scream. A large and very handsome snake wasgliding gracefully across her path. The like of it for size andbrilliancy, she had never seen before. 

"O, how boo-ful!" cried Katie, darting after it. Horace held her back. Dotty trembled violently. 

"Kill it, " she screamed; "throw stones at it; take me away! take meaway!"

"Poh, Dotty; nothing but an innocent snake; he's more afraid of you thanyou are of him. "

"You told him take you away two times, " exclaimed Katie, "and he didn't, and he didn't. "

"I never knew you had such awful things out West, " said Dottyshuddering. "And I don't think _now_ there's _any_ difference inboy-cousins! They never take you away, nor do anything you ask 'emto--so there!"

"Why, Dotty, he was hurrying as fast as he could to get out of oursight; there was no need of taking you away. "

"She needn't be 'fraid, " observed Flyaway, soothingly; "if I had asidders, I could ha' cutted him in two. "

By this time the rest of the party had arrived. Grace and Cassy walkedtogether very confidentially under the same umbrella which had shelteredthem years ago--a black one marked with white paint, "Stolen from H. S. Clifford. " "Bold thieves" Horace called them; but they deigned no noticeof his remark. 

"I'll get an answer, " murmured Horace, repeating aloud, --

 "'Hey for the apple and ho for the pear, But give me the girl with the red hair. '"

At this Grace turned around sharply, and shook her bare head, whichgleamed in the sun like burnt gold. 

"Panoria Swan has red hair, " said she, --"fire-red; but mine is auburn. "

"O, I only wanted to make you speak, Grace; that will do. "

"Here we are at the woods, " said Mr. Clifford. He had once owned aneighboring lot, and his pecan trees had been fenced around to protectthem from the impertinent swine; but now the party were going into theheart of the forest. 

The pecan trees were tall, somewhat like maples, with the nuts growingon them in shucks, after the manner of walnuts. These shucks, if lefttill the coming of frost, would have opened of themselves, and scatteredthe nuts to the ground; but our friends preferred to gather a fewbushels before they were perfectly ripened, rather than lose themaltogether. 

As the easiest method, Mr. Clifford said they might as well fell atree, for he had a right to do so. He had brought an axe in hiscarriage; and Mr. Parlin, whose good right arm had never been injured inthe war, soon brought a noble tree to the ground. 

Then there was a scrambling to see which should break off the mostshucks. Dotty sat down on a log, half afraid there might be a snakelurking under it, and picked with all her might. 

[Illustration: GOING NUTTING. --Page 131. ]

"We don't have any pecans at Deering's Oaks, " she thought, "and nothingbut shells at the Islands. I only wish Prudy was here. Prudy would thinkI had a little temper at Horace just now; I wonder if he did. I willshow him I am sorry; for he _is_ a good boy, and a great deal more'style' and polite than Percy. "

"What makes our little darling look so dismal?" said Cassy, taking aseat beside Dotty Dimple. 

"O, I was thinking a great _many_ things! I'm so far off, Cassy! When Ithink of that, I want to scream right out. Prudy's at home, and I'mhere! I don't want to be so far off". 

"But only think, dear, how much you will have to tell when you get home;and in such a little while too. "

Dotty was instantly consoled, for a crowd of recollections rushed intoher mind of wonderful events which had occurred since she parted fromPrudy. The "far off" feeling left her as she thought of the stories sheshould have to tell to admiring listeners one of these days. 

When it was time for dinner, Mrs. Clifford spread a table-cloth on theground, and covered it with the nice food she had brought. It was adelightful entertainment. Flyaway was so nearly wild with the newexperience of eating in the woods, among the toads and squirrels, thatshe required constant watching to keep her within bounds. She wanted torun after all the little creeping things she saw, and give them part ofher dinner. Horace gladly assumed the care of her. He did not mean thathis mother should regret having brought little Topknot. 

CHAPTER X. 

SURPRISES. 

After a very happy day in the woods, the Cliffords started forhome with as many nuts as they could carry. 

Dotty said she had had a nice time; but for some reason she could not goto sleep that night. There was a burning sensation in her right side, and she had a horrible fancy that a snake had bitten her. She could notendure the thought of lying and listening to the strokes of the clock. 

"I'll go find my father, " thought she, with that "far-off" feeling ather heart again. 

But which way to go? She had not yet learned the plan of the house, buthad no doubt she could find her father's room. She pattered about thechambers with her little bare feet, and at last waked Horace byoverturning a chair near his bed. 

"Why, who is there? And what's wanted?"

"It's me, and I want my father. "

By this time Aunt Maria, hearing a noise, had come in with a light. 

"Are you sick, dear child?"

"No, auntie; I don't know what's the matter; I 'spect it's the blues. Ihad 'em you know, when the beer came to an end--I mean the world--I meanthat night Polly Whiting called me up. "

Horace used all his self-control to keep from laughing. 

"Well, Cousin Dotty, you do look blue, I declare; as blue as theskimmiest milk of the cheatiest milkman. Mother, isn't theresomething in the medicine chest that is good for the blues?"

"They are in my side--I mean _it_, " said Dotty, dismally. "I'm afraidit's a--snake?"

Mrs. Clifford took the afflicted child in her arms, and began toquestion her with regard to the exact spot where she felt the "blues, "assuring her that some relief might be afforded if the nature of thetrouble could only be discovered. 

"O, ho, " cried Horace, suddenly; "I know what it is; it's a jigger. "

Upon reflection, it was decided that Horace might be right. A littlecreature called the _chègre_, had perhaps made its way out of somedecayed log and crept in under Dotty's skin, causing all this heat andirritation. There was a small, hard swelling on her side, which appearedto move. Her father asked her if she was willing to have him cut it outwith his penknife. 

Dotty hesitated; her nerves quivered at sight of the sharp blade. 

"But that cruel little _chègre_ is drinking your blood, my daughter. Themore he drinks, the larger he will grow, and the harder it will be tocut him out. "

"That's so, " said Horace. "I could preach, with jigger for a text. Ahem!He is like sin--the more you let him stay, the more you'll wish youhadn't. Come, Dotty, be brave, and out with him!"

"You can talk to _me_, " said Dotty, bitterly; "but if it was _your_ sidethat had a _jiggle_ in, perhaps you'd feel as bad's I do. "

Horace was prepared for this. 

"But I've had them cut out twice, miss. Being a boy, I could bear it!"

This settled the question. 

"Girls are just as brave as boys, " said Dotty; and submitted to theknife without a murmur. 

The next day she was regarded as something of an invalid. She had lostso much sleep that she did not rise until her father was far away on hisjourney. Aunt Maria gave her a late breakfast, which was also to servefor an early dinner. It was an oyster-stew; and Dotty enjoyed eating itin Mrs. Clifford's room on the lounge. Katie sat beside her, watchingevery mouthful, and begging for it the moment it entered the spoon. 

"Don't tease so, " said Dotty; "your poor cousin is sick; you don't wantto take away her soup?"

"Yes, I does, " replied Katie, coolly; "I likes it myself, " opening hermouth for more. 

Dotty gave her an oyster. The next moment something grated againstKatie's teeth, and she picked out the hard substance with her fingers. Mrs. Clifford happened to see it. 

"That is a pearl, " said she. 

"A pearl, auntie? Why, isn't that something precious? Mamma has pearlsin a ring. "

"I will show it to your uncle, " replied Mrs. Clifford, turning it overin her hand; "but I think it is a true pearl, only a little discoloredby the heat it has undergone in being cooked. "

"O, I'll have a ring made of it! What funny oysters you do have outWest!"

"The pyurl is mine, " said Katie; "I finded it in my toof. "

"No, it's mine, darling, for 'twas in my stew. "

"Well, tenny rate, I want um, " said Katie, dancing around the sofa, "_if_ you pees um. "

"O, no; little bits of girlies don't need it--do they, auntie?"

"I hope, " said Mrs. Clifford, smiling, "it will not cost either of youany of those 'falling pearls which men call tears. ' It isn't worthcrying about. "

Katie was easily persuaded to give it up. 

"You may keep um if you'll let me have two poun's of gold; _two_ poun'sto make me a ying. "

Dotty could not promise the gold; but said Katie should have the nextpickled lime she bought with her money; and this answered quite as well. 

Just as Dotty was going to her room to put away the choice pearl in abox which stood in her trunk, there was a loud noise. Phebe, coming upstairs with a pail of water in each hand, had stumbled and fallen. Thewater was pouring down in a cataract, and after it rattled the pailsMrs. Clifford ran to the rescue. Phebe was looking aghast, making a wildgesture with one hand, and rubbing her nose with the other. 

"You didn't fall on your _nose_, Phebe?"

"Yes, ma'am, " sobbed the poor girl; "and I believe it's broke; I heardit crack!"

Mrs. Clifford might have upbraided Phebe for carrying two buckets upstairs at once, contrary to orders; but she did nothing of the sort; shekindly sent for the surgeon, who set the two fragments of nose togetheras well as he could. 

"Never mind it, child, " remarked he, facetiously, to the disconsolatePhebe; "you have only been beautifying your countenance. Hereafter youwill not be taken for one of the flat-nosed race. "

The young African saw no amusement in the joke, and left the room withher handkerchief at her eyes. 

"Doctor, " said Mrs. Clifford, "how could you speak so to that poorchild? She has just as much regard for her personal appearance as youand I have for ours. You never use such language to one of my family;and please remember I would not have the feelings of my servantsunnecessarily wounded any sooner than those of my children. "

"I stand rebuked, my dear madam, " replied the family physician, respectfully. 

"I wish there were more such women as Mrs. Clifford, " mused he, as hedrove home; "she lives up to the Golden Rule; and if there's any betterprescription than the Golden Rule for making a lady, I haven't seen ityet; that's all. "

It was one of those days when strange things seem ready to happen, oneafter another. Dotty, whose little head was rather unsettled by seeingand hearing so many new things, had an impression that such events asthese were always occurring out West, and that they would never havehappened anywhere else. 

_Chègres_ in logs, pearls in oysters; and now somebody had fallen upstairs and broken her nose. In Maine who ever heard the like?

Dotty twirled her hair, in a state of wonder as to what would come next. It came before bedtime. 

She and Grace had been marching about the dining-room, singing martialsongs. They went into the darkened parlor, still promenading, Grace'sarm about her little cousin's waist. 

Suddenly Grace stopped, and whispered, --

"What's that?"

Dotty listened. It was a groan. It must proceed from a human throat; butthere was no one in the room but their two selves. 

"I think there is _something_ in the hall, " whispered Grace; "I must gotell papa. "

Mr. Clifford immediately took a lamp, and went to investigate themystery. Dotty insisted upon going too, though she hardly knew why, except that the prospect of some unknown horror fascinated her. Sheclung to the skirt of her uncle's coat, though he would have preferrednot to be hindered. No one else, not even Horace, cared to follow. 

As they entered the parlor there was the same sound from the hall, evenmore unearthly than ever. Dotty had entire faith in her uncle, and wasnot at all alarmed till they passed through the parlor doorway, and shesaw the finger-prints of blood on the panels. Then she did tremble, andshe had half a mind to draw back; but curiosity was stronger than fear. 

What _could_ it be that walked into people's houses _Out West_, andgroaned so in their front halls? She must see the whole thing forherself, and be prepared to describe it to Prudy. 

She soon knew what it meant. There was a poor intoxicated man lying onthe mat. Seeing the door open, he had staggered in while the family wereat tea. In some way he had hurt his hand, and stained the door withblood. So there was nothing at all mysterious or supernatural in theaffair, when it was once explained. 

The poor creature was too helpless to be sent into the street; and Mr. Clifford and Katinka carried him into the stable, and laid him upon abed of sweet hay. 

"I'm glad not to be a Hoojer, " said Dotty, with a severe look at herCousin Horace. "You don't ever see such bad men in the State of Maine. The whiskey is locked up; and I don't know as there _is_ any whiskey. "

"Down East is a great place, Dotty! Don't I wish I was a Yankee--I meana 'Publican?"

"But you can't be, Horace, " returned little Dotty, looking up at himwith deep pity in her bright eyes; "you weren't born there. You're aHoojer, and you'll have to _stay_ a Hoojer. "

CHAPTER XI. 

SNIGGLING FOR EELS. 

Next day Mr. Clifford said he would take all the children, except Miss Flyaway, to see a coal mine. It was nothing new to Horace, who was in the habit of exploring his native town as critically as aregularly employed surveyor. You could hardly show him anything which hehad not already seen and examined carefully, from a steamboat to a dishof "sour-krout. " Grace and Cassy were by no means as learned, and hadnever ventured under ground. They feared, yet longed, to make theexperiment. 

As for Dotty, she knew Jennie Vance's ring had been found in a mine. She had a vague notion that strange, half-human creatures were at workin the bowels of the earth, hunting for similar bits of jewelry. She hada secret hope that, if she went down there, she might herself seesomething shining in a dark corner; and what if it should be a piece ofyellow gold, just suitable to be made into a ring to contain the oysterpearl!

How surprised Jennie Vance would be to see such a precious treasure onher little friend's finger!

"She didn't find her ring herself, and it isn't a pearl. But I shan'tgive mine away, and shan't promise to, and then tell that I never. That's a _hyper'blee_!"

Dotty had found a new name for white lies. 

"It is so nice, " said Grace, as they started from the door, "to have alittle cousin visiting us! for it makes us think of going to a greatmany places where we never went before. "

"Then I'm glad there _is_ a little cousin, and _very_ glad it's me. "

"They like to have me here, " she thought, "almost as much as if I wasPrudy. "

Horace enjoyed the distinction of walking with the handsome Miss Dimple. When they met one of the boys of his acquaintance, he found anopportunity to whisper in his ear, --

"This is our little cousin from Down East. Isn't she a beauty? She canclimb a tree as well as you can. "

Dotty heard the whisper, and unconsciously tossed her head a little. Shecould not but conclude that she was becoming a personage of someconsequence. 

"I'm a beauty; and now I'm growing pleasant, too. I don't have anytemper, and haven't had any for a great while. "

Dotty did not reflect that there had been no occasion for anger. If onecannot be amiable when one is visiting, and is treated with everypossible attention, then one must be ill-natured indeed! Dotty deceivedherself. The lion was still there; he was curled up, and out of sight inhis den. 

They passed several lager-beer saloons and candy shops; saw Dutchmensmoking meerschaums under broad awnings; and heard them talking in theguttural German language, as if--so Dotty thought--they had something intheir throats which they could not swallow. 

After walking a long distance on a level road, and seeing nothing whichlooked like a hill, they came to the coal mines. Such a dirty spot!There were men standing about with faces as black as night, and out ofthe blackness gleamed the whites of their eyes like bits of white papersurrounded by pools of ink. 

Dotty stood still and gazed. 

"Horace, " she whispered, "my conscience tells me they are niggroes. "

"Then, dear, your conscience has made a mistake; they are white men whenthey are clean. "

Mr. Clifford went up to one of the men, and asked if himself and thelittle people, might have an inside view of the mine. The man smiled ablack and white smile, which Dotty thought was horrible, and said, --

"O, yes, sir; come on. "

There was a large platform lying over the top like a trap-door, andthrough this platform was drawn a large rope. Grace and Cassy bothscreamed as they stood upon the planks, and caught Mr. Clifford by thearms. 

Dotty was not afraid; she liked the excitement. The men said it was assafe as going down cellar, and she believed them. 

But she was not exactly prepared for the strange, wild, dizzy sensationin her head when they began to sink down, down into the earth. It wasdelightful. "It seemed like being swung very high in the air, " she said, "only it was just as _different_, too, as it could be. "

The men had live torches in their caps, which startled the dark minewith gleams of light and strange black shadows. 

"I don't feel as if I was in this world, " cried Dotty, with a sensationof awe, and catching Grace by the arm to make sure she was near some onewho had warm flesh and blood. After this emotion had passed, she wentaround by herself, and explored the mine carefully, telling no one whatshe was seeking. There was the blackest of coal and the darkest of earthin abundance; but Dotty Dimple did not find a gold ring, nor anythingwhich looked more like it than two blind mules. These poor animals livedin the mines, and hauled coal. They had once possessed as good eyes asmules need ask for; but, living where there was nothing but darkness tobe seen, and no sunlight to see it by, pray what did they need ofeyesight?

"Cassy, " said Grace, "don't you remember, when we were children, we usedto say we meant some time to live together and keep house? Suppose wetry it here. We might have gas-light, you know, and all our food couldbe brought down on a dumb waiter. "

"Yes, " said Cassy, who was very fond of sleep; "and we needn't ever getup in the morning. "

"No skeetos, " suggested Dotty. 

"Men have lived in the earth sometimes, " said Horace. "There was St. Dunstan; his cell was hardly large enough to stand in--was it, father?And sometimes he stood in water all night, and sang psalms. "

"What was that for, Uncle Edward?"

"He was trying to please God. "

"But uncle, I don't believe God liked it. "

"The man was, no doubt, insane, dear. But his perseverance in doing whathe thought right was something grand. Now suppose, children, we ascendand see what is going on atop of the earth. "

"I'm glad we didn't always have to stay in that black hole, " said Dotty, catching her breath as they were drawn up. 

Then the thought occurred to her that the One who had made the sunlightand the soft green earth was kinder than she had ever supposed. 

"Well, " said cousin Horace, "now we've done the mine; and this evening, Dotty, you and I will go and sniggle for eels. "

Dotty dared not tell any one that she had expected to find gold, and hadbeen disappointed. 

Her first act, after reaching Aunt 'Ria's was to look in the little boxfor her precious pearl. It was gone! No doubt Flyaway had taken it. Dotty mourned over her own carelessness in leaving her treasure wherethe roguish little one could reach it. Instead of finding gold, she hadlost something she supposed was more precious than gold. But she bore upas bravely as possible, and said to Mrs. Clifford, --

"You needn't punish the baby, Aunt 'Ria; she didn't know she wasstealing. "

Dotty had never seen an eel. Like a coal mine, a pearl, a Guinea pig, adrunken man, and a _chègre_, she supposed an eel was peculiar to theclimate, and could be found nowhere but out West. As it had beendescribed as being "really a fish, but looking more like a snake, " shedid not expect to be very much charmed with its personal appearance. Shewished to catch one, or see one caught, because it would be something totell Prudy. 

There was no moon, and the night was cloudy. 

"My son, be sure you take good care of your cousin, " said Mrs. Clifford, the last thing. 

"So funny!" Dotty thought. "They don't seem to think there's anybodyelse in this world but just _me_!"

Horace carried with him some light wood, and, when they reached theriver bank, kindled a bright fire. 

"We'll make things look friendly and pleasant, " said he; "and by and byMr. Eel will walk along to the fire, and ask if we entertain travellers. 'If so, ' says he, 'you may count me in. '"

"How dried up the river looks!" said Dotty. 

"That is because the draymen have taken so much water out of it, littlecousin. Haven't you seen them going by with barrels?"

"I shouldn't think the mayor'd 'low them to do it, Horace; for some timethere won't be any river left. "

"It's too bad to impose upon you, " said Horace, laughing; "I was onlyjoking. " Dotty drew herself up with so much dignity that she nearlyfell backward into the fire. 

Good-natured Horace repented him of his trifling. 

"Look down in the water, Dotty, and see if there is anything there thatlooks like an eel?"

Dotty did not move. 

"Don't go to being vexed, chickie; you're as bright as anybody, afterall. "

Dotty smiled again. 

"There, " said Horace, "now we'll begin not to talk. We'll not say aword, and next thing we know, we'll catch that eel. "

But he was mistaken. They knew several other things before they knewthey had caught an eel. Horace knew it was growing late, and Dotty knewit made her sleepy to sit without speaking. 

"Enough of this, " cried Horace, breaking the spell of silence at last. "You may talk now as much as you please. I've had my line out two hours. They say 'in mud eel is;' but I don't believe it. "

"Nor I either. "

But at that very moment an eel bit. Horace drew him in with greatsatisfaction. 

Dotty gave a little start of disgust, but had the presence of mind notto scream at sight of the ugly creature, because she had heard Horacesay girls always did scream at eels. 

"He will know now I _am_ as bright as anybody; as bright as a boy. "

They started for home, well pleased with their evening's work. 

"Did you notice, " asked Dotty, "how I acted? I never screamed at thateel once. "

"You're a lady, Dotty. I don't know but you might be trusted to gotrouting. I never dared take Prudy, she is troubled so with palpitationof the tongue. "

A proud moment this for Dotty. More discreet than Sister Prudy. Praisecould no farther go!

An agreeable surprise awaited her at Aunt Maria's. 

"Please accept with my love, " said Grace, giving her a tiny box. 

Dotty opened the box, and found, enveloped in rose-colored cotton, abeautiful gold ring, dotted with a pearl. 

"I was the thief, Cousin Dotty. I hope you will excuse the liberty Itook in going to your trunk. "

"So it is my own oyster pearl, " cried Dotty. "O, I never was so glad inmy life. "

CHAPTER XII. 

"A POST OFFICE LETTER. "

The "far-off" feeling rather increased upon Dotty. It seemed toher that she had never before reflected upon the immense distance whichlay between her and home. The house might burn up before ever she gotback. Prudy might have a lung fever, and mamma the "typo. " It waspossible for Zip to choke with a bone, and for a thousand other dreadfulthings to happen. And if Dotty were needed ever so much, she could notreach home without travelling all those miles. 

Then, what if one of the conductors should prove to be a "_non, _" andshe should never reach home at all, but, instead of that, should befound lying in little pieces under a railroad bridge?

Sister Prudy had never troubled her head with such fancies. The dear Godwould attend to her, she knew. He cared just as much about her onelittle self as if she had been the whole United States. But Dotty didnot understand how this could be. 

"I wish I hadn't come out West at all, " thought she. "They're going totake me up to Indi'nap'lis; and there I'll have to stay, p'raps a week;for my father always has such long business! Dear, dear! and I don'tknow but everybody's dead!"

Just as she had drawn a curtain of gloom over her bright little face, and had buried both her dimples under it, and all her smiles, UncleHenry came home from his office, looking very roguish. 

"Well, little miss, and what do you suppose I've brought you from uptown? Put on your thinking-cap, and tell me. "

"Bananas? papaws? 'simmons? lemons? Dear me, what is it? Is it to eat orwear? And have you got it in your pocket?"

Uncle Henry, who had had his hand behind him, now held it out with aletter in it--a letter in a white envelope, directed, in clear, elegantwriting, to "Miss Alice B. Parlin, care of H. S. Clifford, Esq. , Quinn, Indiana. "

There could be no mistake about it; the letter was intended for DottyDimple, and had travelled all the way by mail. But then that title, Miss, before the name! It was more than probable that the people allalong the road had supposed it was intended for a young lady!

[Illustration: DOTTY'S FIRST POST-OFFICE LETTER. _Page 162_. ]

When the wonderful thing was given her, her "first post-office letter, "she clapped her hands for joy. 

"Miss? Miss?" repeated she, as Horace re-read the direction; for she wasnot learned in the mysteries of writing, and could not read it forherself. 

"O, yes. _Miss_, certainly! If it was to me, it would be Mr. "

"_Master_, you mean, " corrected Grace. 

"No, Horace, you are not Mr. Yet!" said Dotty, confidently; "you'venever been married. "

The next thing in order was the reading of the letter. Dotty tore itopen with a trembling hand. I should like to see another letter thatwould make a child so happy as that one did! It was written by threedifferent people, and all to the same little girl. Not a line to UncleHenry or Aunt Maria, or Horace or Grace. All to Dotty's self, as if shewere a personage of the first importance. 

Mamma began it. How charming to see "My dear little daughter, " traced socarefully in printed capitals! Then it was such a satisfaction to beinformed, in the sweetest language, that this same "dear littledaughter" was sadly missed. Dotty was so glad to be missed!

There was a present waiting for her at home. Mrs. Parlin was not willingto say what it was; but it had been sent by Aunt Madge from the city ofNew York, and must be something fine. 

There were two whole pages of the clear, fair writing, signed at theclose, "Your affectionate mother, Mary L. Parlin. "

Just as if Dotty didn't know what mother's name was!

Then Susy followed with a short account of Zip, and how he had stuckhimself full of burs. (He wasn't choked yet, thought Dotty; and that wasa comfort. ) Then a longer account of the children's picnic at Deering'sOaks. 

Dotty sighed, and felt that fate had been rather cruel in depriving herof that picnic. 

"But I have had something better than that, " said she, brightening;"I've walked on an Ensmallment, and I have picked pecans. "

But the best was to come. It was from Prudy. 

 "MY DEAR LITTLE DARLING SISTER: I want to see you more than tongue can tell. Norah let Susy bake some biscuits last night, because there wasn't anybody at home but mother, and grandma, and Susy, and Norah, and me. But they were as tough as _sew leather_. Susy forgot the creamor tartar, and soda, and salt. She wasn't to blame. 

 "I'm so lonesome I can't wait to see my darling sister. 

 "Now I have some news to tell:--

 "Mother is going to be married!

 "You will think that is funny; but she is going to be married to the same husband she was before. 

 "It will be a Crystal Wedding, because it is fifteen years. 

 "She invites you and father to come home to it; she couldn't have it without father. 

 "You are going to be the bridesmaid! How queer! Mamma didn't think, the first time she was married, that ever it would be _you_ that would be her bridesmaid!

 "From your dear, dear

 "PRUDY. "

 "P. S. There will be wedding cake. "

 "P. S. No. 2. Johnny Eastman is going to be _bridegroom_, to stand up, if he doesn't do anything naughty before. P. P. "

The look of "mouldy melancholy" disappeared from Dotty's face entirely. 

"A wedding! A _crystal_ wedding! What can that be? I didn't know myfather and mother would ever be married any more. Aunt 'Ria, were youand Uncle Henry ever married any more?"

"This is a sort of make-believe wedding, " replied Mrs. Clifford; "thatis all. And since you are to be bridesmaid, Dotty, I wonder if I cannotfind a pair of white slippers for you. I remember Grace had a pair someyears ago, which she has never worn. "

[Illustration: THE WHITE SLIPPERS. --Page 167. ]

The slippers were produced, and fitted perfectly. Dotty danced about, embraced her auntie, made a great many wild speeches, and finally foundherself in her uncle's lap, kissing him and laughing aloud. 

"I suppose now, " said Mr. Clifford, "we cannot keep you much longer andI am sorry, for it is very pleasant to have our little cousin here totalk with us. "

"I don't wan't um go 'way, I don't want um go 'way, " spoke up littleKatie. 

"But I _must_ go to meet my papa, " returned Dotty, with a business air. "I have to be at home to get ready for the wedding. "

It was very pleasant to know people liked her to stay. She ran into thekitchen, and said to Katinka, --

"O, Katinka, my papa and mamma are going to be married again! Do youknow I've got to start day after to-morrow?"

"So?" replied Katinka, not very much impressed. "I'm going to a party. I must up stairs go, and make my hairs and shut my dress. Gute Nacht. "

"I'm only going to stay one more day; aren't you sorry?" said Dotty tobroken-nosed Phebe, who came in from the pantry with a long face. 

"Why, I reckoned you was going _to-morrow_, " was Phebe's cool reply, rolling the whites of her eyes to hide a twinkle of fun. She knew Dottyexpected her to say, "I am sorry;" but, though she really was sorry, shewould not confess it just then, because she was an inveterate tease. 

Dotty felt a little chilled. She could not look into the future and seethe tomato pincushion Phebe was to give her, with the assurance that"she liked her a heap; she was a right smart child, and not a bit stuckup. "

The day ended with Dotty's dear, dear letter under her pillow. She wasgoing to be very happy by and by; but just now she thought she was sohomesick that she should never go to sleep. She longed to see Prudy, andhear her say, "O, you darling sister!"

Then that wedding! Those white slippers!

How they did all miss her at home! Such dear friends as she had, andsuch beautiful things as were going to happen!

"But they are so good to me here! I've behaved so well they love medearly. If I go home, I can't stay here and have good times. I should behappy if I was at my mother's house and out West too! Every time I'mglad, then there's something else to make me sorry. "

So, between a smile and a tear, Dotty Dimple passed into the beautifulland of dreams; and the moon shone on a little face with a frown betweenthe eyes and a dimple dancing in each cheek. 

What happened to her on her way home and afterward will be told in thestory of Dotty Dimple at Play. 

[Illustration: SOPHIE MAY'S "LITTLE FOLKS" BOOKS. ]

"The authoress of THE LITTLE PRUDY STORIES would beelected Aunty-laureate if the children had an opportunity, for thewonderful books she writes for their amusement. She is the Dickens ofthe nursery, and we do not hesitate to say develops the rarest sort ofgenius in the specialty of depicting smart little children. "--_HartfordPost_. 

_LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON_. 

COPYRIGHT, 1834, BY LEE & SHEPARD. 

 * * * * *

[Illustration: Portrait of Sophie May (Rebecca Sophia Clarke)]

The children will not be left without healthful entertainment and kindlyinstruction so long as SOPHIE MAY (Miss Rebecca S. Clarke)lives and wields her graceful pen in their behalf. MISS CLARKEhas made a close and loving study of childhood, and she is almostidolized by the crowd of 'nephews and nieces' who claim her as aunt. Nothing to us can ever be quite so delightfully charming as were the'Dotty Dimple' and the 'Little Prudy' books to our youthfulimaginations, but we have no doubt the little folks of to-day will findthe story of 'Flaxie Frizzle' and her young friends just as fascinating. There is a sprightliness about all of MISS CLARKE'S books thatattracts the young, and their purity, their absolute _cleanliness_, renders them invaluable in the eyes of parents and all who areinterested in the welfare of children. "--_Morning Star_. 

"Genius comes in with 'Little Prudy. ' Compared with her, all otherbook-children are cold creations of literature; she alone is the realthing. All the quaintness of children, its originality, its tendernessand its teasing, is infinite uncommon drollery, the serious earnestnessof its fun, the fun of its seriousness, the naturalness of its plays, and the delicious oddity of its progress, all these united for dearLittle Prudy to embody them. "--_North American Review_. 

SPECIMEN CUT TO "LITTLE PRUDY'S FLYAWAY SERIES. "

[Illustration: PRUDY KEEPING HOUSE. ]

"'My, what a fascinating creature, ' said the Man in the Moon, making aneye-glass with his thumb and fore-finger, and gazing at the ladyboarder. 'Are you a widow woman?'"

 * * * * *

LITTLE GRANDMOTHER. 

"Grandmother Parlen when a little girl is the subject. Of course thatwas ever so long ago, when there were no lucifer matches, and steel andtinder were used to light fires; when soda and saleratus had never beenheard of, but people made their pearl ash by soaking burnt crackers inwater; when the dressmaker and the tailor and the shoemaker went fromhouse to house twice a year to make the dresses and coats of thefamily. "--_Transcript_. 

 * * * * *

LITTLE GRANDFATHER. 

"The story of Grandfather Parlen's little boy life, of the days of kneebreeches and cocked hats, full of odd incidents, queer and quaintsayings, and the customs of 'ye olden time. ' These stories of SOPHIEMAY'S are so charmingly written that older folks may well amusethemselves by reading them. The same warm sympathy with childhood, theearnest naturalness, the novel charm of the preceding volumes will befound in this. "--_Christian Messenger_. 

 * * * * *

MISS THISTLEDOWN. 

"One of the queerest of the Prudy family. Read the chapter heads and youwill see just how much fun there must be in it. 'Fly's Heart, ' 'Taking aNap, ' 'Going to the Fair, ' 'The Dimple Dot, ' 'The Hole in the Home, ''The Little Bachelor, ' 'Fly's Bluebeard, ' 'Playing Mamma, ' 'ButterSpots, ' 'Polly's Secret, ' 'The Snow Man, ' 'The Owl and theHumming-bird, ' 'Tales of Hunting Deer, ' and 'The Parlen Patchwork. '"

 * * * * *

ILLUSTRATION TO "LITTLE PRUDY'S FLYAWAY SERIES"

[Illustration: LITTLE GRANDMOTHER. ]

"She played in the old garret, with Dr. Moses to attend her dolls whenthey were sick. "

 * * * * *

[Illustration: SIX VOLUMES: PER VOLUME, 75 CENTS. ]

 FLAXIE FRIZZLE. TWIN COUSINS. DOCTOR PAPA. FLAXIE'S KITTYLEEN. LITTLE PITCHERS. FLAXIE GROWING UP. * * * * *

ILLUSTRATION TO "FLAXIE FRIZZLE SERIES. "

[Illustration]

"The next day it rained so hard 'the water couldn't catch its breath'but the Little Pitchers were eager to go to school. "

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FLAXIE FRIZZLE. 

"FLAXIE FRIZZLE is the successor of the Dotty Dimple, LittlePrudy, Flyaway, and the other charming child creations of thatinimitable writer for children, SOPHIE MAY. There never was ahealthy, fun-loving child born into this world that, at one stage ofanother of its growth, wouldn't be entertained with SOPHIEMAY'S books. For that matter, it is not safe for older folks tolook into them, unless they intend to read them through. FLAXIEFRIZZLE will be found as bright and pleasant reading as theothers. "--_Boston Journal_. 

 * * * * *

FLAXIE'S DOCTOR PAPA

"SOPHIE MAY understands children. Her books are not books aboutthem merely. She seems to know precisely how they feel, and she setsthem before us, living and breathing in her pages. Flaxie Frizzle is adarling, and her sisters, brothers, and cousins are just the sort oflittle folks with whom careful mothers would like their boys and girlsto associate. The story is a bright, breezy, wholesome narrative, and itis full of mirth and gayety, while its moral teaching isexcellent. "--_Sunday School Times_. 

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FLAXIE'S LITTLE PITCHERS

"Little Flaxie will secure a warm place in the hearts of all at once. Here is her little picture. Her name was Mary Gray, but they called herFlaxie Frizzle, because she had light curly hair that frizzled; and shehad a curly nose, --that is, her nose curled up at the end a wee bit, just enough to make it look cunning. Her cheeks were rosy red, 'and shewas so fat that when Mr. Snow, the postmaster, saw her, he said, "Howd'ye do, Mother Bunch?"'"--_Boston Home Journal_. 

 * * * * *

SPECIMEN OF CUT TO "FLAXIE FRIZZLE SERIES. "

[Illustration]

"By and by the colts came to the kitchen window, which was open, and putin their noses to ask for something to eat. Flaxie gave them pieces ofbread. "

 * * * * *

FLAXIE'S TWIN COUSINS. 

"Another of those sweet, natural child-stories in which the heroine doesand says just such things as actual, live, flesh children do, is the onebefore us. And what is still better, each incident points a moral. TheIllustrations are a great addition to the delight of the youthfulreader. It is just such beautiful books as this which bring to ourminds, in severe contrast, the youth's literature of our early days--thegood little boy who died young and the bad little boy who went fishingon Sunday and died in prison, etc. , etc. , to the end of the threadbare, improbable chapter. "--_Rural New Yorker_. 

 * * * * *

FLAXIE'S KITTYLEEN. 

"KITTYLEEN--one of the Flaxie Frizzle series--is a genuinelyhelpful as well as delightfully entertaining story: The nine-year-oldFlaxie is worried, beloved, and disciplined by a bewitchingthree-year-old tormenter, whose accomplished mother allows her to preyupon the neighbors. 'Everybody felt the care of Mrs. Garland's children. There were six of them, and their mother was always painting china. Shedid it beautifully, with graceful vines trailing over it, and goldenbutterflies ready to alight on sprays of lovely flowers. Sometimes theneighbors thought it would be a fine thing if she would keep her littleones at home rather more; but, if she had done that, she could not havepainted china. '"--_Chicago Tribune_. 

 * * * * *

FLAXIE GROWING UP. 

"No more charming stories for the little ones were ever written thanthose comprised in the three series which have for several years pastbeen from time to time added to juvenile literature by SOPHIEMAY. They have received the unqualified praise of many of the mostpractical scholars of New England for their charming simplicity andpurity of sentiment. The delightful story shows the gradual improvementof dear little Flaxie's character under the various disciplines ofchild-life and the sweet influence of a good and happy home. Theillustrations are charming pictures. "--_Home Journal_. 

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ILLUSTRATION TO "FLAXIE GROWING UP. "

[Illustration]

"Laughing was the very mainspring of life at Camp Comfort; but the girlshad never laughed yet as they did now, to see Buttons in full swingpreparing to cook a pie. "

 * * * * *

PENN SHIRLEY'S STORIES

FOR THE LITTLE ONES

Miss Penn Shirley is a very graceful interpreter of child-life. Shethoroughly understands how to reach out to the tender chord of thelittle one's feelings, and to interest her in the noble life of heryoung companions. Her stories are full of bright lessons, but they donot take on the character of moralizing sermons. Her keen observationand ready sympathy teach her how to deal with the little ones in helpingthem to understand the lessons of life. Her stories are simple andunaffected. --_Boston Herald_. 

THE LITTLE MISS WEEZY SERIES

 Three volumes Illustrated Boxed, each 75 cents

LITTLE MISS WEEZY

One of the freshest and most delightful, because the most natural of thestories of the year for children, is "Little Miss Weezy, " by PennShirley. It relates the oddities, the mischief, the adventures, and themisadventures of a tiny two-year-old maiden, full of life and spirit, and capable of the most unexpected freaks and pranks. The book is fullof humor, and is written with a delicate sympathy with the feelings ofchildren, which will make it pleasing to children and parents alike. Really good child literature is not over-plenty, despite the multitudeof books that come daily from the press; and it is pleasing to welcome anew author whose first volume, like this one of Penn Shirley, addspromise of future good work to actual present merit. --_Boston Courier_. 

 * * * * *

SPECIMEN ILLUSTRATION FROM "LITTLE MISS WEEZY. "

[Illustration]

Copyright, 1886, by LEE & SHEPARD. 

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LITTLE MISS WEEZY'S BROTHER

This is a good story for young children, bringing in the same charactersas "Little Miss Weezy" of last year, and continuing the history of avery natural and wide-awake family of children. The doings and thevarious "scrapes" of Kirke, the brother, form a prominent feature of thebooks, and are such as we may see any day in the school or home life ofa well-cared-for and good-intentioned little boy. There are severalquite pleasing full-page illustrations. --_The Dial_. 

We should like to see the person who thinks it "easy enough to write forchildren, " attempt a book like the "Miss Weezy" stories. ExceptingSophie May's childish classics, we don't know of anything published asbright as the sayings and doings of the little Louise and her friends. Their pranks and capers are no more like Dotty Dimple's than those ofone bright child are like another's, but they are just as "cute" asthose of the little folks that play in your yard or around yourneighbor's doorsteps. --_Journal of Education_. 

 * * * * *

LITTLE MISS WEEZY'S SISTER

"It is one of the best of the series, and will please every child whoreads it. It is brought out just at the holiday time, and is brimful ofgood things. Every character in it is true to nature and the doings of abright lot of children, in which Miss Mary Rowe figures conspicuously, will entertain grown folks as well as little ones. "

It is a thoroughly clever and delightful story of child life, gracefullytold, and charming in its blending of humor and pathos. The children inthe book are real children, and the pretty plot through which they moveis fully in harmony with the characters. The young ones will find it astorehouse of pleasant things pleasantly related, and a book that willappeal at once to their sentiments and sympathies. --_Boston Gazette_. 

A book that will hold the place of honor on the nursery bookshelf untilit falls to pieces from such handling is "Little Miss Weezy's Sister, " asimple, yet absorbing story of children who are interesting because theyare so real. It is doing scant justice to say for the author, PennShirley, that the annals of child-life have seldom been traced with moreloving care. --_Boston Times_. 

 * * * * *

SPECIMEN ILLUSTRATION FROM "LITTLE MISS WEEZY'S SISTER. "

[Illustration]

Copyright, 1830, by Lee and Shepard. 

 * * * * *

SOPHIE MAY'S COMPLETE WORKS. 

[Illustration of books mentioned]

Drone's Honey. A Novel. $1. 50. 

_THE QUINNEBASSET SERIES_. 

6 Volumes. Illustrated. Per Vol. $1. 50. 

 The Doctor's Daughter. Our Helen. The Asbury twins. Quinnebasset Girls. Janet; a Poor Heiress. 

 * * * * *

_LITTLE PRUDY STORIES_. 

6 Volumes. Illustrated. Per Vol. 75 cts. 

 Little Prudy. Little Prudy's Cousin Grace. Little Prudy's Sister Susie. Little Prudy's Story Book. Little Prudy's Captain Horace. Little Prudy's Dotty Dimple. 

 * * * * *

_DOTTY DIMPLE SERIES_. 

6 Volumes. Illustrated. Per Vol. 75 cts. 

 Dotty Dimple at Her Grandmother's. Dotty Dimple at Home. Dotty Dimple Out West. Dotty Dimple at Play. Dotty Dimple at School. Dotty Dimple's Flyaway. 

 * * * * *

_LITTLE PRUDY FLYAWAY SERIES_

6 Volumes. Illustrated. Per Vol. 75 cts. 

 Little Folks Astray. Aunt Madge's Story. Little Grandfather. Prudy Keeping House. Little Grandmother. Miss Thistledown. 

 * * * * *

_FLAXIE FRIZZLE STORIES_

6 Volumes. Illustrated. Per Vol. 75 cts. 

 Flaxie Frizzle. Little Pitchers. Flaxie's Kittyleen. Doctor Papa. Twin Cousins. Flaxie Growing Up. 

 * * * * *

LEE AND SHEPARD, PUBLISHERS, BOSTON.