Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1875-12-30
Scissors I,
A VALENTINE TAIE.

The SHOWS OF January had melted and
Vanished under the influence of the Fcbru-
AIRY thaw. Far aud near tidngs came Of
streams Oyeriull and bridges swept away.
The scar yellow meadows assumed a tint
of just perceptiblc freshness a. the sun lit
ed the shining wells OF moisture from their
surface; all things seemed preparing for
the spring. ~. Valentines Day dawUed
with pink. cloudlcss SKY, and air hllc,r
with summer warmth and balm; iiocks of
chickadee, iluttered aud chirpcd; the trees
were alive with song.
I'VE shall pay Tor this, severe people
said, a. they shook their experienced heads.
But no shadow dimmed The radiant moru-
ing TO little Molly Gale. a. she woke from
her SAUNDERS smiling like child. And
why should she not sinileE Long PINK rays
streamed through the blinds, and tinged
the wall opposite. new day had begun
"A day which was sure TO be beautiful;
and Molly. fortunately fer herself, was nell
Their Old enough nor wise enough TO COM
prehend that dreary alchemy which distills
the atom Of bitter from thu ounce of sweet,
and. grooming over the nnpalatable drop,
leaves the Test untasted aud forgotten.
valentines Day she said, hall aloud
as she smOothed the last long curl, and
laid down her brush, NO chance for val
entines here in the country, but I'll try my
fate out OF the window. any how"
so, wrapping her dressing grown clio ser,
she went across the room, and opened the
window. The curtains hung in long, heavy
folds She parted them. and, shutting er
eyes tight. said the old rhyme:
Good ST. Valentine list to me
Dear -. Valentine, let me see
Who shall my future husband be.
Three times she repeated the spell then.
poppin. her pretty head out, she opened
her eyes wide.
AT first. half blinded by the dazzling day
she saw nothing. Then figure became
visible long way of up the road.
There really is somebody" thought
Molly. with certain surprise. 4 passer.
By was not by any means Il thing Of course
| in that quiet region. Her curiosity was
aroused. ''liow funny he looks :" she med,
| lated. What's that he's got with him: =
a bicycle? No; | don't think it's bicycle
What is it: He's coming directly here
too" She watched the advancing form
with little heartbeat 1t drew nearer
Good gracious - cried Molly, with :
scream OF laughter, Its scissors grin
der.' And she drew In her head with a
pont and flush of comical vexation. st
Valentine was evidently out OF his reckon
ing for once.
Scissors :" cried voice, loud, ga,
voice. with decided Hibernian accent. The
wheel had stopped beneath the window
"Any scissors to grind, ma am, or knives
or razors:r went on the man, craniDg hi:
neck to catch a glimpse of the face above
him. Put on an excellent edge TO EN-
ma am. and charge most reasonable. PRAY
! give employment to the poor man, Inl
lady" Molly could just see the top of hi
head the voice amused her.
After all" she said to herself. with
pettish shrug. .it isn't the poor man
fault"
Wait q moment. and will see il there
is any thing" she called out; aud dow
stairs she ran.
'Aunty." tapping at door. didn't yol
say YOU wanted your shears sharpened
and the carying-knife: Well. there's scls
sors-grinder below who will do them
you're very thoughtful. Molly. Yes
there are several things. Here they are,
half opening the door. ''Wil you TAKE
them down to the man, tor am not dress
ed: Why, dear me, you're in your dress
g-gown yourself, Molly"
so | AMI forgot-but never mind
aunty, it's good enough for a scis sors grin
der. don't believe he'll be shocked il
u shock a scissors grinder, or ''any othe
man. ia the dainty peignoir OF blue fan
mel with its plnAed rulings, and ope
front, revealing glimpse of snow-whit
peticoat. A more becoming costume coul,
scarcely have been devised. Perhaps GU
little maiden was aware Of the fact.
The grinder had taken up his position OF
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 he
cheeks as she thus confronted her unliB Ell
valentine" and the voice trembled slight
ly with secret laughter. He was youn
man, aud very gOOd-looking, now that sh
sawshim closer.
'Arrah, miss, the howly saints rewar,
ye." The Irish tone was so very broa,
that 1t sounded like a farcical imitation
Molly could not refrain from smiling: an,
CLINT OF mischief appeared in the grin
der's eye as he wanted the effect of hi
speech.
"Bedad," he went on, this maids ATTN
shun ssvarely."
The wheel was now revolving rapidly
but the man seemed to have eyes for hi
employer as well as his work He wa
neatly dressed. and bis hands seemed Z
Molly strangely white and well kept 70
the hands Of working-man.