Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-02-24

WV ca" lilNt ou that
Ing was his or her valentine for the year;
SO the boys would &C very early to make
sure OF being first at the door where
they wanted to be taken as valentines"
how funny" said Belle, and asking
more questions laid up the information
among other ideas in her queer little
brain.
jamie Dennison was crying as he rubbed
the knives after tea, and Belle, going out
10 DID him goodnight stopped to find out
the reason.
MISS Marion can't get nobody to take
me, and I'm going TO the poor house, and
then be bound out" sobbed Jamie.
Belle did not know what g bound OUT
meant, and pictured poor jamie tied with
cords outside of some grim abode where
home joys never come
What shamel You must not 90.
You ought to be where people will love
you and teach you. Don't cry, Jamie,
will try and think of something"
" les'm," said Jamie, meekly, for he
greatly admired Belle and believed her
wise above others.
She was very busy next day, and Marion
seeing great display of lace paper and
ink thought she understood it. But who
ever did just understand Belle? She had
long talk with Jamie after tea, and the
boy listened with bewildered expression
which finally settled into his usual dull
noanlynocC cd
faction.
Be sure it's five o'clock, and ring the
bell pretty hard; then do as l said" was
Bellies last mysterious charge, and Jamie's
" Yes'm" was mildly prompt.
In the chilly darkness of the February
morning Mr.. Fisher was sleeping when a
sounding pull at the bell-wire of his front
door made his eyes fly open.
What, what, what! Fire-thieves-
telegram" and Mr.. Fisher hurried into
his clothes, for he knew the old house
keeper was deaf and wouldn't hear it.
At first he thought there was no one on
the step as he peeTed out, shading the
candle with one hand but shivering,
meek-faced boy grasped his coat as he
was about to close the door.
"Please, sir, here's the letter; she said
it's all right"
Then Jamie Dennison sat down on the
front stairs, while Mr.. Fisher held this
epistle up to the candle and read
Daar mr.. fisher, this is your Valentine, so you
Must keep him year anyway, and then you bet
ter dept him all over. he is Poor and dead
mother and gods boy too and you have Money to
Make him happy. Else he will go to the poor
H use and be Bound out, so dreadful thing
you will not let be done 1 know but take care
of him and edukate to be a good Man and COM
fort to you. mr. fisher if you were so wouldn't you
wish kind rich Man to do so to you. jamie
denyson is his name.
What, what, what" said Mr.. Fisher,
and it was all he could say. jamie s
confused explanation did not help the
matter much; but Mr.. Fisher got an
inkling Of the truth and retired to his
room, looking more bewildered than
Jamie, who curled up on the stairs and
went to sleep, quite sure that in this re-
markable way his future was secure.
Belle was somewhat surprised TO be
called from her studying in Marion's
room to the library; but when she saw
grandma, mamma and Marion sitting in
solemn conclave with Mr.. Fisher over her
letter she grew very red.
What does it all mean, dear?" asked
Marion, gently.
"Well, Marion, you said we could not
afford to keep Jamie ourselves, and Mr.
Fisher could, so / thought he better take
him for valentine, and take care of him
You know grandma said he was going to
waste because he hadn't anybody to care
for, and | thought he'd like to have one
of Gods boys to bring up. And if he
don't he's very stingyr added Belle, with
a burst of tears.
Most extraordinary childr' said Mr.
Fisher, while Marion tried to soothe the
excited little sister.
Belle had to be reproYed for her med
dlesome attempt to teach an older person
his duty; but she had not meant to be
rude, and Mr.. Fisher readily pardoned
her. 1t did not end so badly, because,
though Mr.. Fisher would not keep Jamie
indeed, he seemed alarmed at the idea
of a child in his house!-he did offer to
put him to school for two years, and then
find him employment if he proved trusty.
And laundering, tender-hearted Belle
was very penitent and very ashamed, and
promised never to do anything more with
out consulting Marion, and will, | dare
say, do the very next absurd thing that
pops into her funny little christian
URsOn.
A Fathers Lesson to His Son.