American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-02-15

Perhaps L intended 1t Tor Vaien-
tine,'' said.
g Is this the one you are going to send
to mep"
"As if l ever in my life sent a valen-
tine to a gentleman"
"Ah. WE'LL l wouldn't begin sending
any. l would much rather you told me
yourself what you wanted to say
81 have nothing to, tell you, Mr..
Blackshaw," protested Indignantly.
81 beg your pardon-I am very pre-
suming."
"And if yon think 1 am in the habit
of sending valentines to either young,
middle-aged, or old gentleman, allow
me to say that you are greatly mistak-
en-"
g arise corrected" Mr.. Blackshaw
said, as he stood up; al thought you
had nothing to say to me-" he added
mischievously.
Z" have not another word.''
Won't you say 'Good night?'"
What light was it that shone in his
eyes as he leaned nearer to meP | was
startled by something read in his ex-
preston, and the pert reply died away
on my lips in a family whispered ''Good
night"
St. Valentines Day! l arose in the
morning with a buoyant spirit, and
sang, as trippcd lightly dow n stairs
The first man see
This morning shall be
My valentine.
1 wonder who he is and what he is;
think l never yet have met the one in
store for me-"
ran into the garden to see the faint
tremblings of the ''eyelids of the morn
ing" The cold early rain came with
freshness. One fair star cleaned in the
sky, and the gates of pearl were slowly
opening over the dark low top.
oh come to me- silent as stars,
Come to me, soft as the dew;
Come the light through my bars
When moons are new.
But comet come, come,
My own, my sweet, my true
And loi there is surely someone COM
ing down the lane--a form is even now
at the white gate. Click-clack goes the
latch, and in the dewy dawn l suddenly
espy little imp of five summers, who,
with kite and string, is climbing and
gate as it swings open.
"And whose little man are youP."
query.
"I'm only Freddy" a wee voice
chimes like silvery bell; ''and I've
got something for Eou, Miss Lissie,
something so pretty; my papa has sent
it for you," and he flourished his string
and kite to display a thin white pack
age, which l took from his chubby
hand.
"Give me kiss, Freddy" 1 said,
throwing my arms about his little fig
ure.
"Open your valentine, Miss Lissie,"
he exclaimed, impatiently. cit is not
as big as mine. My papa gave me this
kite for my valentine"
/" You shall see mine in moment"
said, carefully breaking the seal, and
tremblingly unfolding a sweet confec-
ton of flowers and lace, redolent with
the essence of a thousand posies.
"Oh, how lovely was exclaiming,
when saw that Mr.. Blackshaw himself
was just outside the gate.
"Good morning, sweet valentine! !"
he said, as he approached quickly.
"Good morning." 1 demurely an
swered, as looked away to the gates
of pearl, which were suddenly flung
wide open, while the king of day flash
ed out in silent splendor.
"Plead for me, Freddy; tell Miss
Lissie we both love her dearly" and the
strong arms encompassed me and little
Cupid. ..t- 1885
Freddy looked up in my face, and
pouted his rosy lips for kiss. Hooked
at him q moment, stroked his mother
less curls, and, won by something of
his father that looked from out his little
eyes right into my very soul, clasped
him to my heart and kissed him.
"Kiss me, too; kiss your valentine"
Mr.. Blackshaw said, taking Freddy
from my arms, and sending him to fly
his kite-and in the golden dawn we
plighted our troth, and futtered like
timid dove to its resting-place, and
kissed my valentine.-English Maga-