The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1880-04-29

NNN "HN wv 1fHhOihg bad DCCh w plhOC
where they had some picters an things
the man called a pandorammer, an
when we came out twas late and we was
cold an we run all the way to the box.
The box is big box down by Higby's
warehouse, an we sleep into it. An
we found this little Bah curled up into
it asleep. Joe he was agoin' TO bounce
her, but when he seen how little she was
he didn't. He jest yanked his coat off
an put it over her an some old carpet,
too, an we did cover her up elegant,
an she slep' till mornin'. In the morn
in she told us she hadn't no place to
stay, an we reckoned to take care of her
our own selves after that. Joe. an me
got her crackers and milk an things
when we could, an we made believe she
was our housekeeper. Joe swep' the
crossin's, an one day team knocked
him down an killed him all of a sudden.
This here Bah she cried so, an was 50
lonesome after Joe that / allowed it was
better to try an find her home if l
could. I seen folks O sendin' wallen-
tines for presents, an 1 thought some
one orter like little girl better than a
picter. Iseen you on the street, anna,
the day you gave the lame man some
money, an followed along to see
where you lived, an when you went up
the steps you seen me, an you smiled
out Of your eyes so good that 1 most
knowed you'd be kind to a little girl
what hadn't nobody but me. She's real
cute, mama. I seen you once, too"
added he to Dinah, who stood with dish
towel in hand, gravely weighing his
words. II was blackin' a fellers's
boots on the market the day you boxed
that chaps ears for dragging the dog
over the stones in the gutter. Didn't
he run, though, when you let him goP"
81 'clar fort" said Dinah; she's
tellin' the trufel 'Peard like l felt he
might be liable the minnet 1 sot eyes
on him."
Dick made no comment on Dinah's
change of base, but looked earnestly
into Aunt Ruth's face. AS she said
he repeated timidly, with
little quaver in his voice:
"She hain't got no mother nor no.
body in the world, only me, mama; an
she's real cutel"
"Dick," said Aunt Ruth, quietly, 81
should think thee would rather find a
home for thyself than to take so much
trouble for strange little girl"
"Ma'ms," said Dick, gravely, 81
heard a preacher-man on the street one
day tellin' about good feller that want
ed the little children took care of, an
that he said into some book er other
(he had it, an read out Of it, when
you do it to them you do it to me, an
I'll remember and be good to you some
time fer it'll When we found Bah a.
curled up in the box looking so little an
so helpless, thought it meant for us
to take care of her, an poor Joe, he
reckoned 80, too"
81 think I'll keep my valentine, Dick"
Aunt Ruth said, with a smile. 81
never heard of sending back valentine,
l believe. And think / will send one
myself, too. Thee may carry it for me
to Friend Bradley's Office, on Harlem
street, Dick"
The note was written in fair, upright
hand, in few concise words:
"FR1END BRADLEY: 1 send thee
valentine. Thee will find the lines be.
longing to the picture in the twenty.
fifth chapter of Matthew, fortieth verse.
RUTH HARMON"
1t is year since Aunt Ruth received
and sent a valentine, and the 14th of
February, 1880, when it comes, will
lind no happier child than little "Drat-
you Bab;" no prouder boy than "Valen-
tine Dick" who occupies the post of
errand boy in Friend Bradley's office;
no more peaceful heart than Aunt
Ruths; and certainly he would fail to
spy out, with his strongest beams, q
more dignifed, undismayed, constitu.
tional grumbler than poor old Dinah,
who pets or scolds the two children as
inclination and opportunity dictate, and
who sums up the whole matter in these
words:
Sometimes children is comfort, but
mostly they is an aggravation. Them
two-them two wallentines-is a-wearin'
the life out of my bones, the poor or.
phanless thiugsl But Missus Ruth is
80 Sot in her ways that I've got to have
EN- under foot to the enc OF time, if the
Lord spares usl"