The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-04-02

BnuttnS up MS UMBRELLA anu hanguS nis
!oyercoat up to dry. .,.ur.f -
% Jackyp she cried, did you so to the
post-oflice.' ..T1,t-.g -.s.
u should rather think did, replied
Jack. Il never saw such mail In my life.
I'm perfectly worn out Juggling 1t up to
the house, -. -....
'Oh, Jack, Is any of 1t for me?' 10
"A few replied Jack, dryly, and he
opened the door of the dlning-room.
Anything at the post-ofice, my sonT
said Mr.. Gray.
For answer, Jack plunged his hand Into
his pocket and began to pull out a great
heap Of letters. Two for you sir, aud one
for you mamma, and here's Hearth and
Home-the researe for Pussy
For Pussy cried both papa and NAM
ma, In amazcment, for there was a per-
feet pile of them, In all sorts Of envelopes,
big aud little, long and narrow, white and
yellow, with the queerest handwriting
struggling across and over them.
For Pussy, repeated Jack, with the
most solemn face In the world, and sorting
out the pile into a row on the table to
make the most of them.
As for Pussy, she could not move at
first for wonder, but stood and stared, ut
the long row with eyes as round as sau-
GERS. At last she crept closer and touch
ed one with her finger; then she gave
jump ofjoy and hugsed Jack round the
neck. . no.
oh you good old Jackr she cried, TO
bring them. Do you really think they're
valentinesT -..r ,. .......
'Of course do said Jack, 'and I'd
open 'em at once If were YOU
SO Pussy began to open and Jack to
read them aloud one by one. This was
the first-plnk paper and yellow cnvel-
ope: ..... ..... r........- .,r.. .... L..
My DEAR LITTLE Pussy: II you were
really pussy should not have much to
do with you, but rs you are one of my
own children, and dear one Mt that, l
think may write. You will wonder how
i know you to be of my family. lwlll
tell you; when children cry ut nothing,
people say 'Oh! what little geese' and
from that moment adopt them. Your
brothers and sisters insist on Joining In
this correspondence-thcy are mine and
so are yon, for you are all little geese,
and am MOTHER GOOSE.
oh myr said Pussy, isn't that too badT
But Jack opened another and began
reading very fast, as ifto cut short all re-
mark. Something queer and hard was
sealed up in this:
DEAR MADAM: Enclosed, please find
my little bill. Yours truly,
CoCK-RoBIN.'
What n funny thing!' cried Pussy
'why iSlooks just like the beak OF that
stuffed robin In your room, jack ...
Dear mev said Jack, ,anxiously. Il hope
no one has been meddllngwith that robin.
It's very valuable specimen. But, Pus-
sy, just hear this
1t was big, foolscap sheet, sealed with
a wafer, and these were It's contents, writ
ten In old fashioned handwriting:
DEAR LITTLE Miss: hope yon say
your prayers every night when you 60 to
bed the habit is an important one, and
the consequences Of neglecting 1t very
serious. I found them so. As | flew down
the stairs, humping my.head on each step
both my funny-boncs dancing Mt once;
my wig In my eyes; my poor old heels In
the air, assure you repentedo my mis-
conduct. Never let this be your fate, but
take warning from the example Of the
poor old man who now writes to you, and
.who wouldn't say his prayers,
And was taken by his hind legs
And thrown down stairs" fr. ...
'Ohr screamed Pussy, that poor old
man, was always so sorry for him! Go
on, jack .
The next letter held raisin, carefully
wrapped In paper, and was In verse: r
"Thc thought of you Pussy, came into my mind
As finished the last ofmy pie; .i
There was only ono plum len remaining behind,
And I thought 1t would be nothing less than un'
kind,
Ifthat, too, should cat on the sly,
So sent 1t by mail. May dare 70 opine
You will take II and me for your own ValcnlineF
j. HoRSER.
'ohr cried Pussy, rather sentlmentaily'
as she took up the ralson; Il won't never
cat it-ncverH ...
'Then you riH eat 1t, Puss,' sall papa
II you won't cat 1t never. You'll have TO
stndy grammar ....-. ....... q.
'Now papa, please don't! Who wants
to bother about grammar oil Valentines
dayT -.
'Hear this oncr said Jack, as he broke
open an envelope, wonderfully painted
with blue and red:
"The wolf did not cat me, dear Pussy Mt ALL
For before could give more than one htiic
squall, ... r..
A man with gun, came in haste Mt the sound
And my enemy, bleeding, lay stretched on the
ground.
al have watched you with JOY in the midst OF the
girls, O..
with your scarlet hood tied on the top OF your
curls,
And your jacket Of rcd. like that old CLOAK OF nnc
And said to myself: 'shc Is my Valentine
"ohi learn from my story that lesson OF goh'
To churn lovely butter and wait on the old;
And may no cruel wolf ever lurk In the wood.
To alright, as he frightened poor
RED Ripiso HOOP"
'Oh" sighed Pussy, 'icn't that sweet!
Go OH Jack, please
"DEAR LrTrLs PUSSY; 10 rEfl-r -
] am the little bachelor that lived 10y himself,S
And used TO keep his bread and cheese uron
hanging shelf;
And tried in vain to get awifc to rule hi. man.
sion gay, il l |Er a.f .Tsr.
And prevent the rats and mice from carrying all
his food away. .....