The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-05-23
/" How funny he looks I" she medi-

WHAT'S that he's got With MN ia
bicycle? No, / don't thinks it's bicy.
Gle. What is it He's coming directly
here, too"
She watched the advancing form with
a little heartbeat, as it drew nearer.
"Good gracious" cried Mary, with a
scream of laughter, "it's scissors.
grinder And she drew in her head
with pout and flush of comical vexa-
ton. st. Valentine was evidently out OF
his reckoning for once.
"Scissors - cried a voice, loud, gay
voice, with decided Hibernian accent.
The wheel had stopped beneath the
window. "Any scissors to grind,
ma am, or knives, or razors y went on
the man, craning his neck to catch
glimpse of the face above him. Put
an excellent edge on EN-, ma'am, and
charge most reasonable. Pray give EN-
ployment to the poor man, my lady.
Molly could just see the top of his head;
the voice amused her.
CATER all, " she said to herself with a
pettish shrug, sit isn't the poor mans
fault"
Wait moment, and | will see if
Unefe Is any tnluS, shO S"iiS" N"', "hN'
down stairs she ran.
"Aunty," tapping at the door, didn't
you say you wanted your shears sharp
ened. and the carving knife? Well,
there's scissors grinder below who will
do them.
" You are very thoughtful, Molly.
Yes, there are several things. Here they
are" half opening the door. evil
you take them down to the man, for
am not dressed? Why, dear me, you're
in your dressing gown yourself, Mol
ly-"
$50 ami forgot-but never mind,
aunty, it's good enough for scissors
grinder. don't believe he'll be shocked
in the least" And indeed there was
very little to shock scissors-grinder,
or "any other man," in the dainty
peignOir of blue flannel with its pinked
ruffiing, and open front, revealing a
glimpse of snow-white petticoat. A
more becoming costume could scarcely
have been devised. Perhaps our little
maiden was aware of the fact.
The grinder had taken up his position
on the front steps.
Here" said Molly, opening the
door " my aunt would like these put
in order. And please be careful of the
carver.
Two naughty dimples came into her
cheeks as she thus confronted her I'M
likely valentine, and the voice trembled
slightly with secret laughter. He was n
young man, and very good-looking, and
now she saw him him closer.
"Arrah, miss, the howly saints reward
We !" The Irish tone was SO very broad
that it sounded like a farcical imitation.
Molly could not refrain from smiling !;
and CLINT of mischief appeared in the
grinders eye as he watched the effect of
his speech.
Bedad," he went on, /" this needs at
tention sevarely."
The wheel was now revolving rapidly;
but the man seemed to have his eyes
for his employer as well as his work.
He was neatly dressed, and his
hands seemed to Molly strangely white
and well kept for the hands of a work
ing man.
In a wonderfully short time the job
was done.
Have you far to go to-day ?" asked
Molly, as the grinder handed her the
last article
"a good way, ma'am."
Then" she said, kindly, perhaps
you would like glass of milk and some
thing to eat. My aunt's servant will
bring it out to you, if you would"
you are very kind, began the grind
er in good English, and courteous
tone. Then he seemed to struggle with
a desire to laugh.
" The saints have you in kaiping,
miss, he went on, relapsing rapidly into
Irish "but never mind the bit nor
sup. It's nothing I'm naiding this morn,
but just to thank we for your favors, and
be aft. He shouldered his wheel, and
set off at a rapid rate, while Molly was
fumbling with her purse.
"Stop - she cried after him " stop
a minute, please, haven't paid you. T"
But the man only lifted his hat, and
passed through the gate. 1t was grace
fully DONE" like a gentleman" Molly
thought, and she wondered more and
more.
"Such a droll man p she said after
ward, at breakfast che wouldn't wait
for his money, and took his hat off to
me like a young prince. L wish you
had seen him, aunty."
Him" replied Mrs. Gale, medita-
lively. cit would have been more to
the purpose had he put good edge on
the carver. l don't like the looks of it
at all, Molly"
In effect it proved hopelessly dull, as
did everything else submitted to the
grinder. OF course Molly
had to endure some teasing upon the
subject.
She bore it with good grace, and as
weeks passed by the subject was forgot
ten, or if remembered at all, only by
herself.
The spring was advancing. Improved
an early one. Violets starred garden
beds by the first of April hawthorn
hedges blossomed into smiles TO greet
May the early roses crowded
on their buttoned-up buds, and flushed
with bloom. 1t was impossible to resist
the sudden summer-tide of all things
Nobodyprated of rheumatism, or preach
ed prudence. Old and young alike flung
caution to the winds, and as if intoxicat-
ed by the fragrant air, ignored dews,
sat on the fresh grass and committed all
other imprudcnces.
Rv the middle of limo n ,,icnic had