Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1884-02-14

The snow lay heavy upon hill and val
ley. The wind had ceased. and in I'M
sheltered places the sun had turned the
snow into little rivulets. that ran merri-
ly away from their starting points.
"Good-morning. Pecdee, and may
thy choice be a happy ONE said one
little bird to another, as he few down
upon the glittering snow.
1.-The same blessing to yourself, Pee
rec, and thank God for pleasant Four
teenth, returned Pecdee
Il thank God" said Peeree, al
though could choose my mate to-day,
even if there were no sunlight to he.p
me-"
well said, friend; and where do you
think of building?'
81 am looking about d,
"Try an elm near Squire Johnson
back door. | shall build near there,
God willing"
1.-The very spot | selected" cried
Peeree; ''but the mate | would choose
happened TO see the new moon over her
left wing as she went the first time to
visit it,
"And wilt thou give it up for that,
Peeree?"
Il have visited it often by myself,
Peedee; the house-dog talks in his
sleep"
''Be frank. Tell me all, dear friend
would not build in an unlucky place. -
IL had it all from the house dog that
talks in his sleep"
.Yes, YES. Does he dream of cats, or
of boys who can climb?'
NAY, nay! The old Squire keeps no
cats, but he is a cruel man. | trow
Think you, Peedee, that a man who
will not visit his own folks, but drives
them from his door, would save crumb
for birds?'
If this be true, Peeree, I've heard it
in good time. l saw the grand old
trees, and did forget the crumbs; but
more than grub or crumb, l seek a
peaceful spot
Then follow me, Peedee.'
And the two birds spread their wings.
and few away.
When they aightcd. it WAS before the
door OF a very humble little house. with
blue painted steps.
''What is that round bundle with a
red top, on TIE s'epsy' asked Pcedee.
"Round bundle. indeedn returned
Pceree indignantly. "Why, that's Lady
Ann herself
'Just then the round bundle turned
about. and Pecdee saw a plump little
girl with Il red hood of coarse Il ,Hnel
upon her head, and shining rubber boots
upon her feet.
The sun had his own way here. for
the melted snow was tr;ckling rapidly
away in many little streams down the
blue steps. Lady Ann tried to stop it
by planting her small almost round,
foot firmly in its way; bu the melted
snow. with n surgle of delight, shot
around the toe and heel of the small
rubber boot, and sped onward in its
course. Perhaps there was something
in its perseverance that touched Lady
Ann, for, like many a prosecutor beto. e
her, she suddenly turned reforme-, and
could hardly sweep the melting flakes
fast enough down the STEPS with her
tiny broom toward the snow below.
AS she stopped a moment to rcHt n
red pung, with heavy bells. drove up
to the gate, and a merry. boyiSh voice
sang out: Lady Ann, wilt thou be
mine, and may l call thee Valentine?"
With a joyful | tile cry Lady Ann
threw down her broom: .Oh, Billy.
Billy! Mamma has gone to carry home
the sewing. but l can open the door.
Did you bring me anything. Billy?'
'.Ah! Lady Ann said Billy, with a
pathetic shake of his stubby old whip.
although | get up by the light of a
out the store. carry sugar and tea from
morn till dewv eve. to say nothing of
slow molasseS on cold mornings. and
all for two dollars per week. and eat off
myself, yet would have it known that
on st. Valentines Day no grocery-man
in all Brookfeld brings his lady so fine
a valentine as ~
''What is waluntine. Billyp"
He looked down at her with wise,
explanatory expression upon his broad,
freckled face. A waluntine, Lady
Ann, is a-a-well. if you love me rs l
love you. no knife can cut our love in
two, and | send you a waluntine. No.
that isn't quite right. because might
be violently attached to you. and you
not be able TO resipercate my affections.
as some of 'em say. but still l might
send you a waluntine-see?"
.'Well. what is it. Billy"
''lt'S a softener," said Billy.
"A softener!'' she repeated. LET
me see it,"
He handed her valentine he could
i'll afford to buy.
''Why. it's pretty letter. with fow-
ers and birds on it! Oh. you good Billy"
Il hope the sentiment as they call
it, is all right" he said. Il hadn't time
to read it. I'm off now to carry sugar
and flour to Squire Johnson's; may the
flour make heavy bread, and the sugar
sweeten less than sand. Your grand
father is double-dved villain: did YOU
know it, Lady Ann?''
'I-x-i-l-l." said Lady Ann. SPELL
ing out the words on Der valentine.
HE is a scoundrel, Lady Ann
''Is he?" she said, mildly. IA little
girl told me he would chase me away if
went to his house; but dom want to
60 to his house,
He wouldn't
''Why not?" she said indifferently.
''Cause he couldn't
Cant he run?''
ssNos,