The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1875-03-02

STAYS in bed
But Lofty SINGS said sister. She's
always singing and cheerful, so she's like
n bird in that
"Biides with broken wings
Hide from each other.
But babies in trouble
Can run home to mother"
hummed Pet, who knew the ST. Memo.
LAS jingles by heart. But poor Lofty
hasn't any mamma to run to- she added
softly.
No and that's reason why it would
be 80 specially nice to give her the pleas
ure of valentine like yours
Il wish somebody had sent her one,
said Pet thoughtfulIy.
Il don't suppose there is another in the
world just like yours said sister, smiling
at Pet.
Then she cant have one What
pity
'She might have this Of yours, suggest
cd sister.
'But-then-.I shouldn't have nny,'
cried Pet.
%, yes, you would, and I'll tell you
how said sister. You've had all the
pleasure of getting it, and opening and
reading it, already. That's yours to keep.
Now if copy the verses for you on plain
white paper, you can read them over as
often as you like, till you have learned
them by heaat. When you have done
that they viii! be yours for always; and
meanwhile Lofty will have the pleasure
of getting the valentine, opening aud
reading, learning, just as you have done
so you will get double pleasure instead
Of one. Don't you see p
That will be splendid, cried Pet, joy
ously. Poor Lottie how glad she will
be! And shall have two pleasures al
ready
Sister copied the verses, a fresh envel.
ope was found, and Blue was sent on her
way. When she was carried upstairs to
Lotty's room, she thought it the pleasant
est place she had ever seen. Sunshine
was thereon the wall. on the plants in
the window, most of all in Lotty's face, las
she sat up in bed, knitting with red wors-
ted and big needles. When blue was put
into her hand she laughed with astonish-
ment.
For me = she criod. WHO could have
sent it How pretty it is--how pretty !
A great deal too pretty for me. Oh,
what kind dear somebody there is in
the world =
Everybody in the house was glad be
cause Lofty was glad. Grandmamma
! came in to hear the valentine so did pa.
pa, and Jack, Lotty's big brother, and
Fred, her little one. Even the cook made
up an excuse about the pudding, and stole
upstairs to hear the "fne verses which
somebody had sint to Miss Lofty. It's
swate as roses she is. any day said
cook 'and good luck to him for sindipg
it, whoiver he is
By and by, Lotty's tender heart began
to busy itself with new plan.
Grandma, she SAID, I'm thinking
about little Mary Riley. She works SC
hard, and she hardly ever has anything
nice happen her. Don't you think
might send her my valentine-in differ
ent envelope, you know, with her name
on it and all ? She'd be so pleased
But thought you liked it SO much
yourself, DEAR replied grandmamma un
willing to have her darling spare one bit o
brightness out of her sck-room life.
oh, do that's the reason want t
give it away said Lofty, and simply ant
stroking Blue, who, had she known how
would gladly have purred under the sof
touch. But l shall 60 on liking it al
the same if Mary has it, and she'll like i
too. Don't you see, grandmamma I'v
copied the verses in my book, so that
can keep them
Grandmamma consented. Tho ney
envelope was found, Mary's address wa
written upon it, aud away went happ.
Blue to give pleasure to fresh friend.
This is best of ALL she said to herself
as Mary laid aside Der weary sewing t.
read over and over again the wonderiu
verses, which seemed to dropped out o
fairy-land. She almost cried with pleas
ure that they should be sent to her.
Il wish l cou buy frame for EN-
a beautiful gold Frame she whispered
herself.
Pink would have been vain had sh
heard this /; but blue glowed with pure
, feeling-the happiness of giving happ
, ness.
Mary read the verses over doze
times at least before putting them aside
but she did moi put them aside, for sh
had work to finish, and daylight was pr,
cious. The work was birthday frocl
When the last stitch was set. she folde
it carefully, put on cloak and bonnet, an
a prepared to carry the frock home. La
of all, she dro pped Blue into her poke
| She did not like to leave it benin,
, Something might happen, she thought.
! 1t was quite grand house to whic
s the birthday frock went. In fact it WI
; the next door but one to the house
l which Pink met with her melancholy, IA
The little girl who was to wear the froc
f was very glad to see Maryland her man
0 ma came upstairs TO pay Tor the work,
Have you any change? p she sal
Come nearer the fire. 1t is cold t,
o night
Mary was confused by this kindncs
Q Her fingers irembled as she searched f
n her porte monnaie, which was at the bo
d tom Of her pocket, underneath her han,
kerchief She twitched out the han,
kerchief hastily, and with it alas can
Blue, They we're close to the CRATE, al
Blue was flung into the fire. Mary ga,
scream and made a snatch. 1t was t.
late Already the flames had seized it
her beloved valentine was gone, vanish,
into ashes
Was it any thing valuable p asked Il
lady, as Mary gave Il little sob.
oh, n o-yes, ma'am that is, il WI
verses never had any before. An
they were SO beautiful = replied Mar