River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 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 overful and bridges swept
away. The scar, yellow meadows assum-
ed a tint of Just perceptible freshness as
the sun lifted the shining wells of mois-
ture from their surface; all things seemed
preparing for the spring. ST. Valentines
Day dawned with Il pink, cloudless sky,
an air filed with summer warmth and
balm; focks of chickadees tiuttered and
chirped; the trees were alive with song.
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 slumbers smiling like a
child. And why should she not smile?
Long pink rays streamed through the
blinds AMI tingcd the wall opposite. A
new day had begun 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,
grooming over the unpalatable drop,
leaves the rest untasted and forgotten.
valentines Day." she said, halt aloud
as she smoothed the last long curl and
laid down the brush. mo chance for
valentines here in the country, bat Ill
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,
81 h x,orE,I nd 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-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 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
mcditated. whats that he's got with
him?-a bicycle! No; dent think its
A bicycle What is it. He's coming di-
IeCilN mere, 100 CitC NdlCuCN TIT az
vaAcin@ form with a little eart-beat. II
drew nearer "Good gracious" cried
Molly, with a scream of laughter; 'it's a
scissors grinder And she drew in her
head with pout and a flush of comiCal
vexation. st. Valentine was evidently
out of his reckoning for once.
Scissors cried a voice, a loud, gay
voice, with decided Hibernian accent.
Tke wheel had stopped beneath the win
dow. "Any scissors to grind, ma'am, or
knives, or razors p went on the man. cram
ing 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
moor 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, ut isn't the poor mans
fault"
wait amoment, and l will see il
there is anything she called out; and
down stairs she ran.
"Aunty," tapping at the door, didn't
YOU saw YOU wanted your shears sharp
ened, and the carving knife! Well, there's
a scissors grinder below who will de
them.o
"You're very thoughtful, Molly. Yes
there are several things. Here they arc,
half opening the door. ''Will you take
them down to the man, for am not dress
edl Why, dear me, you're in your dress
irg gown, yourself, Molly"
$50 / 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 a scissors grinder, OF
anv other man, in the dainty peignoir OF
blue flannel, with its pinked rulings and
open front, revealing a glimpse OF a snow
white petticoat. 4 more becoming COS
tune could scarcely have been devised
Perhaps our little maiden was aware O.
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 pul