The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-02-28
SCISSORS!
A Valentine Tale,

The SHOWS OF January had melted and
vanished under the influence of the Feb
ruary thaw. Far and near tidings came
Of streams ovcrful and bridges swept
away. The scar, yellow meadows assum-
ell a tint of just pcrccptible freshness as
the sun lifted the shining wells of mois-
turc from their surface; all things seemed
preparing for the spring. St. Valentines
Day dawned with pink, cloudlcss sky,
an air filled with summer warmth and
balm; fecks Of chickadecs fluttercd and
chirped the trees were alive with song.
1--WE 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 slumbcrs smiling like a
child. And why should she not smile?
Long pink rays streamed through the
blinds AMI tingcd the wall opposite. A
now day had begun-a day which was
sure to be beautiful; and Molly, FORUM
atcly 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,
grooming over the unpalatable drop,
leaves the rest untastcd and forgotten.
"Valentine's Day." she said, halt aloud
as she smoothcd the last long curl and
laid doAn the brush. ''No chance for
valentines here in the country, but I'll
try my fate out of the window, anyhow"
Sc, 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-blindcd by the dazzling
day, she saw nothing. Then figure
became visible long way off up the
road.
"There 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
meditated. "What's that he's got with
him?-a bicycle2 No; dent think it's
\ bicycle. What is it? He's coming d.
rectly here, too" She watched the adj
vaacing form with little heartbeat. 1t
drew nearer. "Good gracious" cried
Molly, with Il scream of laughter; 'it's a
scissors grinder!' And she drew in her
head with pout and flush of comical
vexation. St. Valentino was evidently
out of his reckoning for once
'Scissors!" cried voice, loud, CAV
voice, with decided IIibcrnian accent,
The wheel had stopped beneath the win
dow. "Any scissors to grind, ma am, or
knives, or razors?'' went on tho man. cram
ing his neck to catch glimpse of the
face above him. "Put on an excellent
edge to 'em, ma'an,, 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.
"After ALL" she sasd to herself, with a
pettish shrug. lit isn't the poor mans
fault"
"Wait amoment, and I will see il
there is anything" she called out; and
down stairs she ran.
"Aunty," tapping at the door, ''didn'l
you say you wantcd your shears sharp
ened, and the carving knife? Well, there's
a scissors grinder below who will do
them"
"You'rc very thoughtful, Molly. Yes
there are several things. Here they arc, u