St. Landry democrat., 1883-02-17
PLACIDE'S VALENTINE.

Mrs. De Castro said P}aclde 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 out all around
like a door-mat.
The whole school made f1ln of the
poor boy; but he took it all with a pitt
full kind of smile. Nobody knew how
cruelty it hurt him. nor how he longed
to be friendly with his school-mates.
On entering the sehool-room he inva-
riably saluted Miss Rose, the teacher.
with an elaborate bow. Placide's ia h.
err had been a little, broken-down
French dancing master, and the bow
was about all he bequeathed his son.
excepting a fine sense of honor and a
sensitive social nature.
There was nothing French about Mrs.
De Castro, the mother OF Placide., 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-
aiming an assortment of them one
morning IN the book -store. ssl55si
Some of her companions wished 70
send a hideous comic valentine to Pla-
eide. But she. feeling how it would
hurt him, refused to sanction such an
act, and. buying the valentine, de-
stroyed it, much to the disgust Of the
boys. IN 4
Mabel had been looking wise ever
since valentines began to be mentioned:
she was planning a surprise. On the
table in her room was a pile of them,
very small but very pretty ii, fancy en-
velopes, addressed to all her boy. and
girl friends and associates. It had oc-
cupied all her leisure time for a week to
write. in avery slow and ,painstaking
manner. on the blank pages: Miss
Mabel Lawrence presents her compli-
ments. and will be pleased to have you
spend the evening of February "A at her
home.9 Upon consultation with her
mothers she now added another pretty
valentine to the pile. SItaWas addressed
to Master Placide De Castro.
7 They were all sent out on the. 9Th.
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
impaired a greater degree Of pure felic,
/ ity than this belated one. 1t was 8
beautiful thing to happen to- the sensi'
tive, sighted, ridiculed boy, to be sc
remembered. He went singing ane
whistling about his work, the weight
lifted off his heart. the sorroWful lool
gone from his face, his eyes bright witt
hope and pleasure. tsssis
Mrs. de Castro accounted herseI
strong in the usages of polite society
I Now, Placide,' she said, Z. you mus
acknowledge this, comp limunt by actin
accordin' to etiquetty." sss ..s.,t 81
.sYes, ma am. said Pacide. more
than willing. stai
- Seem YOU couldn' tattend, nor sent
your regrets, you must make a party
| call. Let see, Placide, your pa was
small man. I shouldn't wonder il you {
most growed into his swaller-taH Goa
Thy this time Z This was pas dress-coa
/ she said, as she laid it out On the bed.
Now, slip in your arms and let SCI
| how it win do, = lThe tails came within
six inches OF the foor.o
..'Taint so dreadful long if it is lit
tie LOOSE she said. Goats is Wor1
long gentleman's oVercoats come
JEcIear down to their heels. s44ss ..as.
s. The white vest did pretty well By
pinning up broad plat in the back
/ his mothers black kid -gloyes didn'
wrinkle Gerry much, and the shine or