The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-02-27
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"A Valentine Tale.

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The shows OF January had melted ant
vanished under the influence Of the Feb
ruary thaw. Far and near tidings cam,
o. streams overful and bridges swep
away. The scar, yellow meadows assum
ella tint Of just perceptible freshness al
the sun lifted the shining wells Of mois
ture from their surface; all things seemec
preparing for the spring.. St. Valentine:
Day dawned with pink, cloudless sky
an mir filed with summer warmth and
balm; ilocks Of chickadees fluttered and
chirpcd; the trees were alive with song
ave shall pay for this" severe people
said, as they shook their experienced
heads But no shadow dimmed the rad,
liant morning to little Molly Gale, as she
woke from her slumbers smiling like a
child. And why should she not smile!
Long pink rays streamed through the
blinds an tinged the wall opposite. A
new day had begun a day which was
sure to be beautiful; ana Molly, FORUM
ately 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,
groaning over the unpalatable drop,
leaves the rest untastcd and forgotten.
"Valentine's Day. she said, halt aloud
as she smoothed the last long curl and
laid doAn the brush. ''No chance for
- valentines here in the country, but III
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,
heavy folds. She parted them, and shut
ting her ewes tight, said the old rhyme:
'Good st. Valentine list to me;
Dear St. Valentine, let me sec
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
became visible long way. off up the
road.
"Thcre really IS Somebody thought
Molly, with !, certain surprise. A passer-
by was not by any means thing of course
in that quiet region. Her curiosity was
aroused. "How funny he looks" she
medtated. whats that he's got with
him:-a bicycle? No; l don't think it's
IL bicycle What is it? He's coming di-
rectly here, too She watched the ad-
vancing form with little heartbeat. II
drew nearer. "Good graciousr' cried
Molly, with scream Of laughter; "it's a
scissors grinder!'' And she drew in her
head with pout and flush Of csmical
vexation. St. Valentine was evidently
out of his reckoning for once.
"Scissors!' cried voice, a loud, gay
voice, with decided Hibcrnian accent.
The wheel had stopped beneath the win
dow. ANY scissors to grind, ma am, OF
knives, o; razors?' went on the man. cram
ing his neck to catch 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, my lady, Molly could just
see the top OF his head the voice amused
her.
CATER ALL" she sasd to herself, with a
pcttish shrug, lit isn't the poor mans
FAULT
"Wait amoment, and I will see if
there is anything," she called out; and
downstairs she ran.
'Aunty,'' tapping at the door, s"didn't
you say you wanted your shears sharp
ened, and the carving knife? Well, there's
a scissors grinder below who will dc
them.'
"You're very thoughtful, Molly. Yes
there are several things. Here they are,
half opening the door. "Will you take
them down to the man, for am not dress
ed? Why, dear me, you're in your dress
irg gown, yourself, Molly
$50 l ami forgot-but never mind
aunty, it's good enough for scissors
grinder. / don't believe he'll be shocked
in the least And, indeed, there was
very little to shock scissors grinder, OF
any other man, in the dainty peignoir OF
blue flannel, with its pinked rulings and
open front, revealing a glimpse OF snow.
white petticoat. a more becoming Co.'S
tune could scarcely have been devised
Perhaps OR little maiden was aware Of
the fact
The grinder had taken up his position
on the front door-steps.
"Here,' said Molly opening the door
my aunt would like to have these put
in order. And please be careful Of the
carver
Two naughty dimples came into hel
cheeks as she thus confronted her un-
likely "valentine,' and the voice trem-
bled slightly with secret laughter. He
was young man and very good-looking
now that she saw him closer.
"Arrah, miss, the howly saints reward
ye!'
The Irish tone was so very broad tina,
it sounded like a farcical imitation. Mol.
ly could not refrain from smiling; and a
CLINT of mischief appeared in the grind
er's eye as he watched the effect of Lis
speech.
"Bedad," he went on, /" this maids at
tinshum sayarely."
The wheel was now revolving rapidly
but the man seemed to have eyes for his
employer as we'll as his work. He was
neatly dressed, and his hands seemed
to Molly strangely white and we'll kept
for the hand Of workingman.
In a wonderfully short time the io}
was done.
Have you far to go to-day?' asked
Molly as the grinder handed her the las
article
"a good way, ma'am.
!LThnn y che said l<indlv Hnnrhono va,