CHAPTER I.
DOTTY'S BABYHOOD.
Alice was the youngest of the Parlin family.

When Grandma Read called the children into the kitchen, and told them about their new little sister, Susy danced for joy; and Prudy, in her delight, opened the cellar door, and fell down the whole length of the stairs.

However, she rolled as softly as a pincushion, and was not seriously hurt.
"But you can't go into mother's room," said Susy, "you're crying so hard." "Poh!" replied three-years-old Prudy, twinkling off the tears; "yes, I can neither.

I won't go _crying_ in! I didn't hurt me velly bad.

I'm weller now!" So she had the first peep at the wee dot of a baby in the nurse's arms.
"O, dear, dear," said she, "what shall I do?
I _are_ so glad! I wish I could jump clear up to the _sky_ of this room! How do you do, little sister ?" The baby made no reply.
"Why! don't you love me?
This is _me_: my name's Prudy.