The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1884-10-17


ticed the droop of her red lip and the
quick CULVER Of her chin, and Nelrs face
grew brighter. ..I'll tell yer what, Nell,
I'd like to send her real, sure-enough
valentine next week In course she IL
get heaps and heaps, an p raps she
would not care for mine alongside OF
'em. but I'd feel happy.
"Oh, Tony, wouldn t that be beauti-
full: but you doesn't know where she
lives. How'll yer do?" Il dunno"
Then bright thou hit struck him.
! Sle'll be sure to be ut the church again
on that day. for these is the days as
how all them way-up folks. them Mob
Killers, We know, 90 to church every
day now. They don't wear no fine
clothes, but dress humble like, but
when the time is past and their big day
comes-Easter they call Tiny. then
how them swell ladies will splu &c. But
she amt one of their XII d; l bet she's
real good all the time, an when she
comes out'n the church ST. Valentines
Day l VII give her my valentine.
Hours afterward, tie moon rising
over the house tops sent a beam across
the dreary street into the one window of
that room. and, resting for a moment
on Tony's face revealed an expression
of ioy and hope that told how bright
his dreams were.
The valentine was bought. n pretty
thing, on one side hand holding par
tally opened, glowing rose bud on the
other a picture o. a young maid scarce
" more air than she for whom the
card was intended.
How Tony and Nell gloated over the
beauty of the valent ne. and speculated
as to its fate.
In Tonys absence Mel would take
down the box, that held the precious
thing. reverently open it and gaze and
gaze, and then put it away with the
wish that it might safely reach the pref
ty girls hand.
1t was growing late the afternoon of
St. Valentine s day; the Lenten service
at the great church was Just over and
crowd of worshipers issued from the
doors. A tall gentleman. IN the prime
of lite, with a dainty maid ciinging to
his arm tried to cross the street, though
there was constant press of foot pas
sengers and vehicles
An extra amount of business in the
newsboy's line had made Tony little
late. His face flushed, his dark eyes
shining, and holding the precious val
entine in his hand, he darted to meet
the advancing gentleman and young
girl, breathlessly exclaiming as he put
the package into her hands: please
take this, cos you were so kind to me"
And then passing carriage struck
him. and down he went under the cruel
wheels.
The gentleman, whom we will call
Mr.. Wright, now lifted the lad tenderly,
and calling carriage, took tine boy to
the receiving hospital for children,
where his broken ankle was carefully
attended TO. Meanwhile little Alice
Wright. carrying the valentine which
had been the means of Tony s unfortun-
ate accident, fastened homewards,
while her father went with the in ured
boy.
After Tony's wound had been dressed
Mr.. Wright found out his name, the
dreary place that he called home, and
promised to see to little Nell. whom he
took to the gentle care of his wife and
daughter Alice. And that evening
while Tony tossed in the delirium Of
fever in his narrow cot at the hospital,
4NCA tOiu Tile ~ III p1tuAZiu. ShSiC dAOuAu
the cheerful fireplace the story of
Tony's brave endeavors for their liveli-
hood, their home destitute of a fathers
care or mothers love, and finally the
story of the valentine which occup ed .
prominent place on pretty easel stand
ing on the library table.
A sorrowful ending to Tony's plan
you think? Not so. Can you not see a
bright picture unrolling itself in the
future?
Tony's broken ankle is slowly recov-
ering; he bears the pain right manfully,
and Alice and Nell leave no means I'M
tried to cheer him. When he is cutie
well he will go into Mr.. Wright's office,
who sees capabilities for business in the
shrewd little fellow. Little Nell will
60 to school with Alice, who loves her
now as she might younger sister, and
there we will leave them rescued from
4 kind of life from which your parents
would sh ED you with loving tender
ness. And. remember, when You see
such children. that there may be hidden
away under all their rough exterior,
tender, warm feelings. and hearts that
are taught by suffering to be pure and
true. Huntington HauEeye.