《神奇树屋》 第四十二册 A Good Night for Ghosts 10 Thanks a Million

　　Jack 1 pushed his glasses into place and opened AHistory of New Orleans Music.



"What's that, man?" Dipper asked.



"It's a history book," said Jack.



"Teddy and Kathleen gave it to us," said Annie.



"Oh, yeah, my best friends," said Dipper.



Jack looked in the index of the book. He found theright page and turned to it.



"I'm going to read something to you, man," saidJack. "Just listen." And Jack read:



As a young teenager, Louis Armstrong109often performed with "kid bands" on the streets ofthe city. Eventually he played with older musicians indance halls, and he developed his musical talentsperforming on Mississippi river-boats. When he wastwenty-one, he moved to Chicago, where he played inthe well-known band of his old friend Joe Oliver.



"Joe Oliver?" said Dipper. "Joe's in that book? I'minthat book?""Yep. Hold on, there's more," said Jack. He read:



Over time, Louis Armstrong became world-famous,but he always called New Orleans home. The cityhonored him by naming a large park the LouisArmstrong Park. It also named its airport the LouisArmstrong International Airport .



"What's that? International airport?"asked Dipper.



110Mary Pope 2 Osborne"That's where planes fly in and out from all overthe world," said Annie.



Dipper started laughing. "Y'all are pulling my leg.""No," said Jack. "We're not. Look at this, Dipper."He held up the book and showed Dipper the picture ofLouis Armstrong, the King of Jazz, playing thetrumpet in front of a huge crowd. "That's you,Dipper."Jack waited for Dipper to laugh and say the picturewasn't him. But Dipper stopped smiling and nodded.



"Yeah. Yeah, I've seen that picture before," he saidsoftly.



"You have?"said Jack, stunned 3.



"You've seen this picture before?" said Annie.



"Where?""Here." Dipper touched his chest. "Here, in myheart. It's the picture I've had in my heart for a longtime, like a dream.



[Image: Louis Armstrong.]



111Hey, y'all, is this a dream?"Jack and Annie laughed. Annie smiled. "Yes, youcould say that," she said.



"But it's a truedream," said Jack.



"Keep that picture in your heart, Dipper," saidAnnie. "Hold it close to you, and one day you'll beliving it. We promise."For a long time the three of them just stared at thepicture. When Jack looked at Dipper again, he sawtears glisten 4 in Dipper's eyes.



"Okay, I'll do that," said Dipper. He wiped his eyeswith the palms of his hands. "I think I can keep myjobs and start making a little room for my music, too.""Yes!" said Annie.



"Maybe you should go play with the fellas on theriverboat tonight," said Jack.



"Yeah, maybe I'll try and do that," said Dipper.



"Great!" said Annie.



Jack heaved 5 a sigh and put away their book. Dipperstood up. "But now y'all have to get going. On the eveof All Saints 6' Day, there's a curfew for112kids under thirteen. They have to be off the streetsby nine, or the paddy wagon 7 will pick 'em up.""So ... you're definitely on the path to sharing yourmusical gift with the world. Right, man?" asked Jack.



Dipper laughed. "I reckon 8 I am," he said. "Thanks toa couple of potato heads.""Okay, good," said Jack. He and Annie stood up. "Toget home, we need to walk to Bourbon Street andcatch a streetcar to Canal Street.""Let's go," said Dipper.



The three of them left the waterfront. They walkedpast Jackson Square and headed past the cathedral onSt. Peter Street.



"I'll walk y'all back to Bourbon Street," said Dipper.



"Then do you have time to ride back with us toCanal Street?" said Annie. "So we can hang outtogether a little longer on the train?""You know I can't do that," said Dipper. "Theywon't let me sit with y'all on the streetcar.""Why not?" asked Jack.



113"I'd have to sit in the back while y'all sit up front,"said Dipper.



"What are you talking about?" said Annie. "Y'all arewhite. I'm black," said Dipper. "So?" said Annie.



"Black folks aren't allowed to sit with white folks.



That's the way it is," said Dipper.



"Are you kidding? That's crazy!" said Annie.



"No, I'm not kidding," said Dipper. He stoppedwalking and looked closely at Jack and Annie.



"Where are y'all from? How'd you get that crazyhistory book with my picture in it? And why did y'allcome here to find me?""It's really, really hard to explain, Dipper," saidJack. "But just know this: one day things are going tochange. Everybody will sit together on trains andbuses and planes.""And one day an African American man will runfor president of the United States," said Annie. "Andmillions of people--of all colors-- will vote for him.""And he'll win!" said Jack.



114Dipper laughed and shook his head. "Okay, now Iknow I'm dreaming," he said, "but I really like thisdream.""It's the truth," said Annie. "We promise."By now they had come to the corner of St. Peterand Bourbon Street. "This is where I leave you," saidDipper.



Annie threw her arms around Dipper and gave hima big hug. "Good-bye, Dipper!"Jack did the same. "Bye, man," he said. "Thanks amillion.""Same to you," said Dipper. "Hey, there's yourstreetcar now."The streetcar glided 9 to a stop at the corner. Jack andAnnie hopped 10 aboard and sat in front. As thestreetcar went up Bourbon Street, they stuck theirheads out the window and waved to Dipper. Hewaved back. Jack and Annie waved and waved, untilthey couldn't see Dipper anymore.