Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1878-02-08
sOISs0Rs!
A Valentine TaIe.

A Valentine Tale.
The SHOWS of January had melted and
vanished under the influence of the
February thaw. Far and near tidings
came of streams overful and bridges
swept away. The scar, yellow meadows
assumed tint of just-perceptible fresh
ness as the sun lifted the shining wells
of moisture from their surface; all
things seemed preparing for the spring.
st. Valentines Day dawned with a
pink, cloudless sky, an air filed with
summer warmth and balm; fiocks of
chickadees huttered and chirped; the
trees were alive with song.
1--WE shall pay for this,n severe peo-
pie said, as they shook their experienced
heads. But no shadow dimmed the
radiant morning to little Molly Gale, as
she woke from her slumbers smiling
like child. And why should she not
smilePV Long pink rays streamed
through the blinds and tinged the wall
opposite. A new day had begun-a
day which was sure to be beautiful; and
Molly, fortunately 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 unpal-
atable drop, leaves the rest untasted
and forgotten.
"Valentine's Day" she said, half
aloud, as she smoothed the last long
curl and laid down the brush. "No
chance for valentines here in the coun-
try, but I'll try my fate out of the win
dow, 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, shutting her eyes tight, said the
old rhyme: r.
Good st. Valentine, list to me-
Dear St. Valentine, let me see
Who shall my future husband be.n
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 figure
became visible long way off up the
road.
There really is somebody" thought
Molly, with a certain surprise. A
passer-by-was not by any means thing
of course in that quiet region. Her
curiosity was aroused. How funny
he looksr' she meditated. What's
that he's got with him?-a bicycleP
NJ; l don't think it S a bicycle, What
is itP He's coming directly here, too
She watched the advancing form with
little heartbeat. 1t drew nearer.
"Good graciousr' cried Molly, with a
scream of laughter; it's a scissors
grinderln And she drew in her head
with pout and flush of comical vexa-
ton. st. Valentine was evidently out
of his reckoning for once.
Scissors!n cried voice, loud,
gay voice, with a decided Hibernian ac-
cent. The wheel had stopped beneath
the window. "Any scissors to grind,
ma am, or knives, or razorspn went on
the man, craning his neck to catch
glimpse of the face above him. Put
on an excellent edge to 'em, 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.
After all, /" she said to herself, with
a pettish shrug, sit isn't the poor mans
fault.n
"Wait moment, and / will see if
there is anything" she called out; and
downstairs she ran.
"Aunty," tapping at door, "didn't
you say you wanted your shears sharp
ened, and the carving-knifeP Well,
there's scissors-grinder below who
will do 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 dressed? Why, dear me,
you're in your dressing gown, yourself,
Molly"
80 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, or "any other man. in the
dainty peig'aOir of blue flannel, with its
Pinled rufliings and open front, reveal
ing a glimpse of snOw-white petticoat.
A more becoming costume could
scarcely have been devised. Perhaps
our little maiden was aware of the fact.
The grinder had taken up his position
on the front dOOr-steps.
AlOtCS bulu molly, opening LnC
door my aunt would like these put
in orier. And please be careful of the
carver.li a..sIa
Two naughty dimples came into her
cheeks as she thus confronted her un-
likely ."Yalentine,' and the voice trem-
bled Slightly with secret laughter. He
was q young man, and very good-look-
ing, now that she saw him closer.
Arrah. miss, the howly saints re-
ward YEP The Irish tone was so
very broad that il sounded like fare
ical imitation. Molly could not refrain
from smiling; and a CLINT of mischief
appeared in the grinders eye as he
watched the effect Of his speech.
"Bedad,n he went on, "this maids
attinshun savarely."
The wheel was now revolving rapid
ly; but the man seemed TO have eyes for
his employer as well as his work. He
was neatly dressed, and his hands
seemed TO Molly strangely white and
well kept for the hands Of working
man.
Ina wonderfully short time the job
was done,