Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-02-20
Miss Nabby's Two Valentines.

MISS NdppN Sdi, Nlltlt size Hdu NdJ lOI ~
many years, at the south window of the little
red house at the foot of the hill.
Once in while the children waved
chubby hands at her as they stopped at the
end of the coast, before beginning to climb
again TO the top.
Miss Nabby knew them every one. MANY
of the smaller boys wore suits which she had
made. Little Bob Grant took off his hat to
her, in remembrance of a suit made for him
from the discarded garments of an older
brother; the latter fact of which she never
spoke, even to him in private.
How many such secrets had Miss Nabby
kept Some SO faithfully that the littl
gentlemen often wondered if she really re-
membered them herself But these weghtN
secrets, or the constant stitching there at the
little south window, had made her grow old.
Her face grew paler; and the gray knob
at the back of her head became yearly
smaller and smaller. But she tied it Just as
firmly, and wound it as tightly, as in the
davs when it was larger and Jet black.
There she sat, day after day. sewing at a
small jacket or pair of miniature panta-
looms, with pleasant nod for every one who
came or went up the hill
For every one, did say? No, no Even
Miss Nabby-who kept secrets for proud
little boys; who came to nurse those same
Young gentlemen when shorn of their pride
by measles or scarlet fever; who bathed
bumped heads at the foot of the great hill,
aud flew to the top in haste to minister to
little noses that had poked themselves too
violently into their neighbors' seds, or
frozen snow-bank-even Miss Nabby was
not perfect Aud in vain did Farmer Pecker
turn his merry eyes towards the little red
house Miss Nabby's dark eyes were fast.
ened on her work, her needle went faster
and faster, and the farmers face grew
thoughtful always as he drove slowly up
the hill.
Miss Nabby, will you take Just one
stitch in my mitten 7" said little Bob holl
ing melancholy looking mitten up at the
south window Miss Nabby beckoned for
him to come in.
al don't care whether you use black silk
or white yarn ~ he exclaimed, as he came
in; that black stuff you have in your
needle will do. Mr.. Prcker will be back in
a minute, and he's going to let us all fasten
Oh aud drag us up. He's bully man, |
think !" Then as he saw her face darken a
little, he said " | mean awful kind" A.
she took no notice OF the improvement in
expression, he looked closely at her, wonder
ing what was wrong.
"Perhaps you must finish those pants
today, and cant stop" he said, reaching for
the mitten.
81 have time enough" said she, as she drew
a ball of blue yarn from her basket
Miss Nabby, said he, feeling it sort of
duty to entertain her while she worked on
the melancholy mitten, "did you know it
was Valentines Day to-day Z"
SO IL is I" said Miss Nahhv Have
you received any,"
"Only funny one | am not old enough
for the spooney ones yet"
Miss Nabby laughed "Did you ever
have valentine p he asked.
I" Yes; had one agood many years ago
1t would look pretty old-fashioned now
| s'pose," said Bob. +" ! wish you'd kept it.
Why didn't you keep it
81 didn't say didn't keep it,"
30, show it to me, will you p
Z" ltis too much trouble, said Miss Nabby
40, show it to me, and | will shovel YOU
out the next time it SHOWS" said Bob
who usually performed this little service
gratuitously.
She opened drawer in her workable
took out box, and handed it to him. He
opened it and took out a faded valentine.
1t was picture of two blood-red hearts
pierced by an arrow. Crimson drops were
gently falling from the wounds.
How long have you had this, do yor
think 7"
"Almost forty years"
"Whew Was this spooney valentine
or funny one 2"
81 don't know" said Miss Nabby.
"You know what 'spooney means, dom
you ?" said he ready to volunteer any in
formation OF which she might feel need.
"Oh yes" she said, laughing.
Ii it had flowers and birds all round tn,
hearts, should call it spooney," said he
studying it carefully; " but that sword anC
red drops look kind of comca."
4" think you are right, Bobby" said sh
bending her gray head over the old mitten.
81 did not mean TO make fun OF your val
entine," said he, feeling rather than seeiul
her sadness but | mean to keep all my val
entines to show my grandchildren. An,
wouldn't it be funny il everything change
so that they could not tell the spooney one
from the comical !"
> She looked into his merry face, and wishe
in her heart that it might never change b
; look careworn like her own.
Mr., Pecker's sleigh-bells were heard, an
? with hasty, though fervent thank you" h
seized the rejuvenated mitten, aud rushe
F.; from the house.
st. Valentines Day was fast drawing I
a close The sun had shone brightly all da
. on the white old hill, oil Miss Nabby's re
9 house at the foot, aud on the great farm
A house at the top where Mr. Pecker lived
| Bob came TO the hill for good-nigl
slide" as he called it. The gay coaster
were all gone but the shadows OF the tret
, and bushes seemed To him to have take
b their placesi and a. they moved to and fl
!, far down the hill on the white snow,
D turutd away, preferring TO take his goo'
night slide in dr.am-land.