Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1884-02-15
LADY ANN.


The snow lay hclvyupon hill and val
Icy. The wind hal ceased. and i'm un-
sheltered places the sun had turned tho
snow into little rivulcts. that ran mcrri.
~ away from their starting points.
"GOOd-morning. Pecdec. and may
Thy choice be- a happy one" said one
httle bird To another, rs he flew down
upon the glittering snow.
Tho same blessing To yourself, Pee.
rec, and thank God for pleasant Four
tccnth, returned Pcedrc.
"I thank God" said Peeree. "al-
though ] could choose my mate to-day,
even II there were no sunlight 10 help
me-"
We'll said, friend; and where do you
think of building?'
=" ann looking about.
"Try an EN- near Squire Johnson
back door ! shall build near there.
God willing"
Tho very spot selected cried
Pcercc; but the mate would choose
happened 90 see the new moon over her
left wing a. shc went the first time to
-" And wilt thou give it up for that,
PcerceP'
q" have visited Il often by myself.
Peedee; the house-dog talks in his
sleep"
{" BE frank Toll me all. dear friend.
l would not build In an unluckv place"
- had IL all from the house dog that
talks In his sleep"
les, yes. Does be dream Of cats. or
of boys who can climb9"
Nay. nay! Tho old Squire keeps NO
cats, but ho is cruel man. | trow.
Think you, Peodee. that man who
will not visit his own folks, but drive,
them from his door would save crumb
for birds?'
III this he true. Pccrcc. I've heard IL
IN good time. | saw the grand old
trees, AMI did forget the crumbs but
more than grub or crumb. seek a
peaceful spot"
"Thcn follow me. Pecdee."
And the two birds spread their wings.
and Few away.
When they alightcd. il was before the
door Of n very humble little house. with
blue painted steps.
'Nhat l. that round bundle with n
rel top, on the stops?' asked Pecdee
~ Round bundle. indcedr' returned
l'eercc Indignantly. why, that's Lady
Ann herself"
''Ju.t then the round bundle turned
about. und Pccdcc saw plump little
girl with rcd hood ~ coarse Tunnel
upon her head. ANIL shining rubber boots
upon her feet.
The sun had his own way here. for
the melted snow was trickling rapidly
away In many little stream, down the
blue steps. Lady Avn tried to stop IL
10y planting her sma |. almost round,
loot FIRMLY In is way; bu the melted
snow, with surylc ot delight. SHOT
around the toe and heel of IN, small
rubber boot. AMI sped onward in its
course. Perhaps there was something
m its 2 'rsevercn'c that ton he'd LADY,
Ann, for. like many prosecutor before
her she suddenly turned rr.ormc' and
could hardly sweep the melting flakes
last enough down the stcrs with her
tiny broom toward The snow below.
As she stopped moment tO rest n
red pung. with heavy bells. drove I'M
To the gate. and u merry. buyish voice
sang out; Lady Ann. will thou be-
mine, and may | call thee Nalcntinc?"
With n joyful I tile cry Lady Ann
threw down her broom: ''Oh. Billv.
Billy! Mamma has gone To carry home
the sowing. but ! can open the door
Did you bring nae anything. Billy?'
"Ah! Lady Ann. said Billy, with n
pathetic shake of his stubbv Old wbip.
''althOdgh GEE up by the light of a
lantern. take down shutters and sweep
out the store, carry sugar AMI tea from
morn I'll dcwy eve. 10 say nothing of
slow m0lassCs ON cold mornings. and
all for two dollars per week. and eat of
myself. yet wo ild I have IL known that
ON ST. Valentines DAY no groccrv-man
In all Broo',iicld brings his lady so fine
valentine ~ ~
H'What u a Saluntine. Blly'"
lie looked down nj her with ~ wise.
explanatory expression upon his broad.
treckled face. 4 waluntine. Lady
Ann, Is n -a-wcll. IL YOU love me as /
love You. no knife can cut cur love i'm
two, and ! sent you waluutnc. No.
that Isn't quite right. because I might
Dc violently attached to you. AMI YOU
not be able 10 rcsipecate my affections.
rs some Of EN- say. but still I might
send you waluntine -see?'
We'll. what i e. Billy"
'lts n soiiener. said Billy.
~ soilcner" she repeated Let
me see IT,"
Tie handed her valentine he could
III afford to buy.
why, lisa pretty letter. with flow
ers and tirds ON itl oh. You good Binyr'
II hope the 'sentumcnt. aS they call
H. y MI right. he said - hadn't time
10 read ~. I'm Oh now To- carry sugar
and Hour to Squire .Johnson's: may the
hour make heavy bread. and the sugar
sweeten less than sand Your grand
father Il n double. DYED villain: dId Won
know u, Lady Amp"
~ I'LL said Lady Ann. SMELL
ing out the words on her valentine.
''He Is scoundrcl. Lady Annln i
is hep she said, mildly. "A littlo
girl told me he would chase me away II
! went 20 his house; but don't want 10
go 10 his house"
''He wouldn't"
why nOtP" she said indiaerently.
Cause be couldn't"
Can't he runr'
mo"
Has he broke his foot9'' Lady AIMS
tone had slight touch Of sympathy.
mo. said Billy as he took up the
roins. '.but be Is sick. When folks lock
their doors on their own children.
and then swallow the key. il most
generally makes 'em sick
.'.Billyt" exclaimed Lady Ann. '.has
grandpa swallowed keyP'
Eyes. and Il lies heavy said Billy,
''and good enough for him. Rich as
ne is. no one win send him waluntine
to-day, Lady Ann"
Say, Billy"
But the red pung with lis heavy bells
had gone ON its way.
Left alone Lady Ann gave up the