Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1883-02-16
PLAcIDE's VALENTINE.

10 T9lR E-----ueo1-<+r - e
q ssPL4cIDEs VALENTINE. q.
Nw De Castro said Placide was
.'sure TO make ri Q in the world" !"
Placide was tall for a boy Of twelve.
and all arms aud legs. His eyes looked
large in his thin. salow face, and his
'thatch Of light hair stood out all around
I like door mat. ~ .if
Tho whole school made fun of the
poor boy; but he took 1t all with a pitt
!. full kiad Of smile. Nobody knew how
cruelty II hurl him. nor how he longedi
to be friendly with his school-mates.T
en- entering the school room he inva-
riably saluted Miss Rose. the teacher.
with an. elaborate bow. Placide's ia h.
err had been q little, sbrokensdown
French dancing MASTER. and the bow
was about all he hequeathed. his son.
executing n fine sense OF honor and a
sensitive social'nature. e-f- -
: There was nothing French about Mrs
De Ca tro. the mother OF rlacids. She
was American born. but Of the most
commonplace type. She read every
worl in her weekly story-paper, and
religiously believed in the poss bility. at
least of all the wonderful occurrences
therein detailed. -r.
The shop-windows were gay with re-
mindcrs OF the approach OF the great
February holiday. Mabel Lawrence,
and some OF her school-ma cs were ex-
aiming an assortment Of them one
morning in the bookstore. i.t i0
Some Of her companions wished 10
send n hidcous comic valentine 10 Pla-
eide. : But she. feeling how il would
hurt him. refused 10 sanction such an
act. and. buying the valentine. de-
stroyed 1t, much to the disgust OF the
boys. t.44
Mabel had bcen looking wise ever
since valentines began to be mentioned;
she was planning a surprise. On the
table IN her room was pile Of them,
very small but very pretty, in fancy en-
vclopes, addressed 10 all her boy and
girl friends and associates. II lad oc.
cup'od all her leisure time for week 10
write. in very slow and panstakipg
manner. on the blank pages: Miss
Mabel Lawrence presents her compli-
ments. and will be pleased 10 nave you
spend the evening Of February IA At her
home" Upon consultation with her
mother. she now added another pretty
valentine 10 the pile II was addressed
to Master Placide lie Castro.
They were al sent out on the 18th.
But itvuas nearly aweek alter the
party when the postmaster hailed Pla-
eide. as he was passing by, and handed
him his Invitation. II seemed . pity
on the face Of it. but NO valentino ever
impaired . greater degree OF pure felic- /
ity than this belated one II was a
be utiful thing ~ happen Va the sensi-
tiye, slighted, rdiculed boy. to be so
remembered- he went singing and
whistiing about his work. tho weight
lifted oa his heart. The .sorrowful look
gone from his face. his eyes bright with
hope and pleasure
Mrs. l)e- Castro accounted herself
strong in the usagcs Of polite society.
" Now. Placide. she said. "you must
ackncwledge this compliment BY actin
nccordin' 10 ctiquetty."
"Ye> lna'am." said Piacidc. more !
than willing. . s4~~ ssoi
"Secin you eouldn't attend. nor send |
your regretA you must make a party |
call. Let's sec. Placide. your pa was = |
smsll man. I shouldn't wonder L you d |
most growed into his swaller-tajl coat |
BY this tine. This was pas drcss-cost I
she said. - shs laid itout On the-bed
Now, slip in your arms and let's see
how Il will do" iThe tails came within 1
pixfiocies of shs noor.l .se,Is.se si.t i.
Taint 80 dreadful long il 4 Is IT I
|le 1oos6, /" she said. Goats is worn
|onR noW-gcnSleman's ossfuoats come
H. I~~~ e &kn;~ k-~Is