Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1884-02-27

he SHOW laN ucANf ulOll nlli dllu ' ia
ley. The wind has ceased. and in un.
sheltered places the sun had turned the
snow into little rivulets, that rat merTi'
ly away from their starIi2g-pointS.
"Good-morning, Peedee, and may
thy choice be happy one," said one
little bird to another; rs he flew down
upon the glittering snow.
"The same blessing to yourself, Pee.
rec, and thank God for pleasant Four.
teenth," returned Perdee.
u thank God,r said Pe dee, al.
though l could choose my mate to-day,
even If there were 10 sunlight to help
me-
"Well said. friend; and where do you
think of building:"
81 am looking about :"
"Try an elm near Squire Johnson s
hack door ] shall build near there,
God willing"
''The very spot 1 selected!r 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?"
81 have visited it often by myself
Peedee; the house-iog talks in his
Sleep"
BE frank! Tell me all, dear friend.
l would not build In an unlucky place. 81
II had it all from the house-dog that
talks in his sleep"
.'Yes, yes. Does he dream of cats, or
Of boys who can climbp"
Nay. nayl The old Squire keeps no
cats, but he is cruel man, l trow.
Think you. Peedee, that 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 terget the crumbs; but
more than grub or crumb l seek a
peaceful spot"
"Then follow me. Peedee.''
And the two birdsspread their wings,
and few away.
When they ali GIFTED, it WAS before the
door of very humble little house, with
blue painted steps.
W llldI Will d
red top, on the steps?" asked Peedee.
"ROund bundle, indeedr' returned
Peeree indig 7anuy. why that's Lady
Ann herSelf.n
"Just then the round humble turned
about, and Peedse saw a plump little
girl with red hood of coarse flannel
upon her head, and shining rubber boots
upon her feet.
The sun had his own way here, for
the melted snow was trickling 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: but the melted
HOw,with gurgle Of delight, shot
around the toe and heel of the small
rubber boot, and spread outward in its
cour-e. Perhaps there was something
In its perseverance that touched Lady
Ann, for, like many a prosecutor before
her, she suddenly turned refOrmer, and
could hardly sweep the melting flakes
fast enough down the steps with her
tlny broom toward the snow below.
As she stopped a moment to rest a
red pung, with heavy bells, drove up to
the gate. and a merry boyish voece
sang out: Lady Ann, wilt thou be
mine and may call thee Valentine?"
With joyful little cry Lady Ann
threw down her broom: '.Oh, Billy,
Billyl Mamma has gone to carry heme
the sewing. but can open the door.
Did you bring me anything, Billy?"
''Ahl Lady Ann" said, Billy. with a
pathetic shake of his stubby old whip,
although get up by the light of a
lantern, take down shutters and sweep
out the store, carry sugar and tea from
morn till dewy eve, to say nothing of
slow mClasSes on cold mornings, and
all for two dollars per week, and eat off
myself. yet would have 1t known that
on st. Valentine's Day no grocery-man
In all Brookf-ld brings his lady so fine
valentine as IT,
what is a waluntine, Billy?n
He looked down at her with a wise,
explanatory expression upon his broad
freckled face. a waluntine, Lady Ann,
is a-a-well, if you love me as L love
you, no knife can cut our love in two,
and L send you a walHntine. No,
that isn't quite hight, because L might
be violently attached to you, and you
not be able TO res1percate my affections,
as some of 'em say, but still 1 might
send you waluntine-see?"
We'll, what is it, Billy?"
Its softener," said Billy.
"A softener!'' she repe ,ted. ''Let
me see it.''
He handed her a valentine he could
III afford to buy.
why, It's pretty letter, with flow
ers and birds on it, Oh, you good Bllly."
Il hope the sentiment as they call
1t, Is all right" he said. 81 hadn't time
to read it. I'm off now to carry sugar
and -four to Squire Johnson's; may the
Hour make heavy bread, and the sugar
sweeten less than sand. Your grand
father is double-dyed villain; did you
know it, LADY Ann?''
'1-w-i-l ;" said Lady Ann. spelling
out the words of her valentine.
He is a scoundrel, Lady Annl''
us he?" she said, mildly. "a little
girl told me he would chase me away If
went to his house; but don't want tc
go to his house,
HE Wouldn't