The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1883-02-15
THE MISSION OF MABEL'S VALEN-
TINE.


TINE
Mrs. De Castro said Placide was ''sure
to make rise in the world" Placide
was tall for a boy of twelve, and all
arms and legs. His eyes looked large
in his thin, sallow face, and his thatch
of light hair stood ont all around like
door-mat.
The whole school made fun of the poor
boy; but he took it all with pitiful
kind of smile. Nobody knew how cruel
ly it hurt him, nor how he longed to be
friendly with his school-mates.
On entering the school-room he in
variably saiuted Miss Rose, tho teacher,
with an elaborate bow. Placide's faith
er had been little, broken-down
French darciug-master, and tie bow was
about all he bequeathed his son, except
ing u fine sense of honor and a sensi-
tive social nature.
There was nothing French about Mrs.
De Castro, the mother Of Plscide. She
was American born, but of the most
commonplace type. She read every
word in her weekly story-paper, and
religiously believed in the possibility, at
least, of all the wonderful occurrences
therein detailed.
The shop-windows were gay with re-
minders of the approach OF the great
February holiday. Mabel Lawrence
and some of her school-mates were ex-
amining an assortment of them one
morning in the bookstore.
Some of her companions wished to
send hideous comic valentine to Pla-
dido Rt,f oh foaliprr hour ~ would h.,
him, refused to sanction such an act,
and, buying the valentine. destroyed it,
much to the disgust of the boys.
Mabel had been looking wise ever
since valentines began to be mention
ed; she was planning surprise. On.the
table in her room was pile of them,
very small but very pretty, in fancy
envelopes. addressed to all her boy and
girl friends and associates. 1t had oc-
cupied ali her leisure time for week to
write, in very slow and painstaking
manner, on the blank pages: miss
Mabel Lawrence presents her compli-
ments, and will be pleased ta have you
spend the evening of February 14th at
her home" Upon consultation, with
her mother. she now added another
pretty valentine to the pile. 1t was ad-
dressed to Master Placide De Castro.
They were all sent out on the 18th.
But it was nearly a week after the
party when the postmaster hailed Pla-
eide, as he was passing by, and handed
him his invitation. It seemed a pity on
the face of it, but no valentine ever inn
parted greater degree of pure felicity
than this belated one. 1t was o beauti-
ful thing to-happen to the sensitive,
sighted, ridiculed boy, to be so remem-
bered. He went singing and whistling
about his work, the weight lifted off his
heart, the sorrowful look, gone from his
face, his eyes bright with hope and
pleasure.
Mrs. De Castro accounted herself
strong in the usages of polite society.
Nov, Placide," she said, - ''you must
acknowledge this compliment by actin
accordin' to ettiquetty."
ayes, ma am,' said Placide, more
than willing. .a.. .-
'.Seein' you couldn't attend, nor send
your regrets, you must make party
cali. Let's see. Placide, your pa was
small man. | shouldn't wonder if
you'd most growed into his swaller-tail
coat by this time. This was your pas
dress coat she said, as she laid it out
on the bed.
'.Now, slip in your arms and let's see
how it will do" (The tails came within
six inches of the fioor.)
".Taint SO dreadful long if it is a lit
tie loose" she said. Goats is worn
long now-gentlemen's overcoats come
clear down to their heels"
The white vest did pretty well by pin
ming up broad plait in the back, his
mothers black kid-gloves didn't wrinkle
Cerg much, and the shine on his shoes
couldn't have been improved. After be-
! ing thoroughly instructed on various
points, he set out to make his ''party
call thinking his costume just about
! the thing. Fortunately, darkness pro-
tected him. Smiles strove for the
mastery in Dolly's face as she ushered
him into the sitting-room, announcing,
"This young gentleman wants to see
Miss Mabel.n They were all ladies and
Mabel redeemed, as he entered, but she
arose as grave as Judge, and offered
! him q chair.
This is Placide De Castro, Papa"
she said to the Doctor, who eyed him
through his glasses in some amazement.
Placide executed his bow with great
elegance and precision, saluting in turn
the Doctor, Mrs. Lawrence, and Mabel,
ending up with comprehensive salaam
| for the rest of the family.
"Please accept my respectful thanks,
/ Miss Lawrence, for the kind invitation
to your party was his opening re-
mark.
Il am sorry .you did MT come; we
had a very nice time," answered Mabel,
politely.
This opened the way for his second
speech.
Il should, doubtless. have enjoyed
the occasion extremely, but my atten-
dance was prevented by circumstances
over which l had no control" (This
sentence he had memorized from a
Complete Letter-writer.
Wouldn't your mother let you
Gomez" asked Mabel.
Not being exactly prepared for this,
he answered naturally enough. ''Oh,
yes, ma am! The reason is, that did
not get the valentine till to-day"
/ THAT was too badm said Mabel.
s'Otherwise. / should have beer
present or sent my regrets" recited
Placide, seeing his opportunity. When
the Doctor asked him, ''Are you attend
ing school this winter?" he replied
Eyes, sir. am pursuing my studies un'
der the direction of Miss Rose May
tield," and he was prepared with sever,
al other elegant replies to possible
queries; but after this the conversation
ran in channels unfavorable to their in
PRODUCTION.
The Doctor was regularly eaptivated
the quaintness of the whole proceeding