Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-05-29
SCISSORS.

wells of moisture from their surface; all
things seemed preparing for the spring.
St. Valentines Day dawned with a pink,
cloudless sky, an air filled with summer
warmth and balm; flocks of birds t1utter-
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 dav had begun-a day which was
sure to be beautiful and Molly, fortunate
" for herself, was neither old enough no1
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 res,
untasted and forgotten.
valentines Day" she said, half aloud
as she smoothed the last long curl, and
laid down her brush. mo chance fol
valentines here in the country, but I'll try
nv 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
heavy folds. She parted them, and, shut
ting her eyes tight, said the old rhyme:
Good St Valentine, list to me;
Dear ST Valentine, let me see
Who shall 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 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, [ don't think he's a 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 graciousr' cried Molly,
with a scream of laughter, cts 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.
''SciSsorsn' cried voice, a loud, gay
The wheel had stopped beneath the Win
low ANY scissors to grind, ma'an, or
knives. or razor" went on the man, cram
face above him. Put an excellent edge
on EN- ma am 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.
K 4 III II, cold to hnrca1f with 81
pettish shrug, lit isn't the poor mans
fault"
''Wait a moment, and will see if there
is anything," she called out, and down
stairs she ran.
''Aunty," tapping at the door, "didn't
You say YOU wanted your shears sharp
ened. and the carving-knife9 Well,
there's scissors grinder below who will
do them"
You are very thoughtful, Molly. Yes,
there are several things Here they are, y
half opening the door. "Will you take
them down to the man, for I'm not
dressed? Why, dear me, you're in your
Gressing--ovn yourself, Molly"
$50 | AMI forgot-but never mind,
aunty, its 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
sci,sors-grinllcr, or ANY other man. in
The dainty 0eiga0tr of blue flannel with its
pinked rlltfling and open front, revealing
d glimpse of snow-whitc 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 he careful of the carver"
Two naughty dimples came into her
cheeks AZ she thus confronted her unlike
" Valentine. and the voice trembled
slightly with secret laughter. He was a
young man, and very good-looking, and
now she saw him closer.
"Arrah, miss, the howly saints reward
ye" The Irish tone was so very broad that
it sounded like farciCal imitation.
Molly could not refrain from smiling; and
CLINT of mischief appeared in the grind
er's eye IS he watched the effect of his
speech.
''Bedad," he went on, ''this needs atten-
ton sevareiy."
The wheel was now revolving rapidly
but the man seemed to have his eyes for
his employer as we'll as his work lie was
neatly dressed, and his hands seemed to
MOLLY strangely white and well KEEP. Coy
the hands Of a working man.
In wonderfully short time the job was
done.
"Have YOU far to go today" asked
Molly, as the grinder handed her the last
article
"A good way, ma'am.n
Then" She said, kindly, "perhaps you
would like glass of milk and something
to eat Ny aunt's servant will bring il
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 I'm naiding the morn, but just tC
thank We for your favors, and be aft He
shouldcred his wheel and set off at a rapid
rate, while Molly was fumbling with hel
purse.
Stop" She cried after him; ''stop s
minute please, | haven't paid you" Blu
the man only lifted his hat, and passed
through the gate. 1t was gracefully done
-,'like a gentleman Molly thought, ant
she wondered more and more.
"Such a droll man." she said afterward
at breakfast; "he wouldn't wait for hi
money. and took his hat off to me like ;
young prince. | wish you had seen him
auntv."
HIM" replied Mrs. Gale, meditatively