Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-06-04
SCISSORS.

Wells OF moisture from lH6IT SuIIdC6, oil
things seemed preparing for the spring
ST Valentines Day dawned with pink,
cloudless sky, an air filled with summer
warmth and balm; focks of birds futter-
ed and chirped; the trees were alive with
song.
eve shall pay for this" several people
said as they shook their experienced
heads, But no shadow dimmed the radi-
ant morning to little Molly Gale, as she
woke rom her slumbers smiling like a
child. And why should she not smile?
Long pink rays streamed through the
blinds, and tinged the wall opposite. A
new day had begun-a day which was
sure to be beautiful; and Molly, fortunate
" for herself, was neither old enough nor
wise enough to comprehend that dreary
alchemy which distills the atom Of bitter
from the ounce of sweet, and, grooming
over the unpalatable drop, leaves the rest
untasted and forgotten.
valentines Day" she said, half aloud,
as she smoothed the last long curl, and
laid down her brush. mo chance for
valentines here in the country, but Ill try
my fate out of the window, anyhow"
So, wrapping her dressing gown closer,
she went across the room, and opened the
window The curtains hung in long,
n6dNN lOIOS- OnS GCtA GlIClI, etiI>t, oLAIfu-
ting her eyes tight said the old rhyme:
Good ST. Valentine, list to me;
Dear st. Valentine let me see
Who shah my future husband be-
Three times she repeated the spell;
then, popping her pretty head out, she
opened her eyes wide.
At first, half blinded by the dazzling
day, she saw nothing. Then a figure be-
came visible a long way off up the road.
''There really is somebody" thought
Molly with certain surprise. A passer-
by was not by any means a thing of course
in that quiet region. Her curiosity was
aroused.
"How funny he looks!' she meditated
whats that he's got with him?-a
bicycle? No, I don't think he's a bicY-
Gle. What is it? He's coming directly
here, too" She watched the advancing
form with little heart beat, as it drew
nearer. "Good gracious!" cried Molly,
with a scream of laughter, cts a scissors
grinder" And she drew in her head
with pout and a flush of comical vexa-
ton ST. Valentine was evidently out of
his reckoning for once.
sScissOrsp' cried a voice, a loud, gay
voice, with a decided Hibernian accent.
The wheel had stopped beneath the win
low. 'Any scissors to grind, ma'am, or
knives, or razors p went on the man, cram
ing his neck to catch a glimpse of the
face above him ''Put an excellent edge
on 'em, maam, and charge most raisOn-
able Pray give employment to the poor
man, my lady" Molly could just see the
top of his head; the voice amused her.
EAfter ALL she said to herself, with a
pettish shrug, "it isn't the poor mans
fault"
seWait a moment, and I will see if there
is anything" she called out, and down
stairs she ran.
"Aunty," tapping at the door, "didn't
ened, and the carving knife? Well,
there's a scissors grinder below who will
do them"
''You are very thoughtful, Molly. Yes,
there are several things Here they are"
half opening the door "Win you take
them down to the man, for Pm not
dressed? Why, dear me, you're in your
dressing gown yourself, Molly
$50 ami forgot-but never mind,
aunty, it's good enough for a scissors
grinder. [ don't believe he'll be
shocked in the least" And in
deed there was very little to shock a
scissors-grinder, or "any other man, in
the dainty pe5g1a0ir of blue flannel with its
pinked ruffling and open front, revealing
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,
F'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 unlike
" Valentine, and the voice trembled
slightly with secret laughter. He was
young man, and very good-looking, and
now she saw him closer.
''Arrah, miss, the howly saints reward
YEP 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 grind
er's eye as he watched the effect of his
speech.
"Bedad," he went on, 'this needs atten-
ton 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 KEEP, Far
the hands Of working man.
In 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 something
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 desire
to laugh.
''The saints have you in kaiping, miss"
he went on, relapsing rapidly into Irish;
''but never mind the bit or sup. It's
nothing Pm naiding the morn, but just to
thank We for your favors, and be aft" He
shouldered his wheel and set off at rapid
rate, while Molly was flmbling with her
purse.
''Stopm she cried after him; 'stop
minute please, haven't paid YOU" But
the man only lifted his hat, and passed
through the gate. 1t was gracefully done
-''like gentleman" Molly thought, and
she wondered more and more.
"Such droll man." she said afterward,