Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1884-02-08

The snow lay heavy upon hill and val
ley. The wind had ceased and in un-
sheltered places the sun had turned the
snow into little rivulets, that ran merri-
ly away from their starting points.
"Good-morning. Peedee, and may
thy choice be happy one," said one
little bird to another, as he flew down
upon the glittering snow.
1.-The same blessing to yourself, Pee
rec, and thank God for n pleasant Four
teenth," returned Peedee.
Il thank God" said Peeree, "al-
though 1 could choose my mate to-day,
even if there were no sunlight to help
me-"
"Well said, friend; and where do you
think of buildingP"
81 am looking about"
"Try an elm near Squire Johnsons
back door. l shall build near there,
God willing"
"The very spot l selectedn' 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,
PeereeP"
~ have visited it often by myself,
Peedee; the house-dog talks in his
sleep"
.''Be frankl Tell me all, dear friend.
1 would not build in an unlucky place"
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, nay! The old Squire keeps no
cats, but he is a cruel man, trow.
Think you, Peedee, that man who
will not visit his own folks, but drives
them from his door, would save crumb
for birdsP"
.If this be true, Peeree, I've heard it
in good time. saw the grand old
trees, and did forget the crumbs; but
more than grub or crumb, seek a
peaceful spot"
"Then follow me, Peedee."
And the two birds spread their wings,
and flew away.
When they alighted. it was before the
door of very humble little house, with
blue painted steps.
''What is that round bundle with a
red top, on the stepsp'' asked Peedee.
H"Round bundle, indeedr' returned
Peeree Indignantly. ''Why, that's Lady
Ann herself
"Just then the round bundle turned
about, and Peedee saw q 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, fol-
tho melted snow was trickling rapidly
away in many little streams down the
blue steps. Lady Ann tried to stop ii
by planting her small, almost round,
foot firmly in its way; but the melted
snow, with a gurgle 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 before
her, she suddenly turned reformer, and
could hardly sweep the melting flakes
fast enough down the steps with her
tiny broom toward the snow below.
AS she stopped moment to rest a
red pung, with heavy bells, drove up
to the gate, and merry, boyish voice
sang out: Lady Ann, wilt thou be
mine, and may call thee Valentinep"
With joyful little cry Lady Ann
threw down her broom: "Oh, Billy,
Billy! Mamma has gone to carry home
the sewing, but ! can open the door.
Did you bring me anything. Billyp"
"Ah! 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 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
valentine as II"
''What is a 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 as I
love you, no knife can cut our love in
two, and / send you 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 waluntine
"Well. what is it, Billy7"
'It's 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 a pretty letter, with flow
ers and birds on it! Oh, you good Billy"
II hope the sentiment as they call
1t, is all right, he said. ~ hadn't time
to read it, I'm off now to carry sugar
and flour 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 Annp"
1-w-i-l-l," said Lady Ann, SPELL
ing out the words on her valentine
"He is scoundrel, Lady Ami"
"ls hep" she said, mildly. "A little
giri told me he would chase me away II
l went to his house; but don't want to
go to his house,
s.He wouldn't.n
why notp' she said indifferently.
'Cause he couldn't"
"Can't he runp'
"No."
"Has he broke his footP' Lady Ann's
tone had slight touch of sympathy
'No," said Billy as he took up the
reins, "but he is sick. When folks lock
their doors son their own children,
and then swallow the key. it most
generally makes 'em sick'
"Billy!" exclaimed Lady Ann, "has
grandpa swallowed a keyP'
Yes, and it lies heavy" said Billy,
land good enough for him. Rich as
he is, no one will send him waluntine
to-day, Lady Ann
SAY, Billy
But the red puug with its heavy bells
had gone on lis way.