St. Landry democrat., 1884-02-16

The snow lay heavy upon nil ana Val
lev. The wind had ceased, and in un-
sheltered places the sun had turned the
snow into little rivulets, that ran merri-
1y away from their tingg-points.
"Good-morning. Peedee, and may
thy choice be happy one said one
little bird to another, as he few down
upon the glittering snow.
The same blessing to yourself, Pee
rec, and thank God for a pleasant Four
teenth, returned Peedee.
II thank God said Peeree, I" al
though I could choose my mate to-day,
even if there were no sunlight to help
me. y
We'll said, friend; and where do you
think Of building?''
II am looking about
"Try an elm near Squire Johnson $
back door. / shall build near there,
God willing"
1.-THE very spot I 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,
Peeree?'
II have visited it often by myself,
Peedee; the house-dog talks in his
sleep
"Be frank! Tell me all, dear friend.
I would not build in an unlucky place. e
II had it all from the house-dog that
talks in his Sleep
Yes, yes. Does he dream of cats, or
- Lf,yye Ixylr, CON p1iY1 I99
ssNay, nay! The old Squire keeps no
cats, but he is a cruel man, [ 1trow.
Think you, Peedee, that q man who
will not visit his own folks, but drives
them from his door, would save crumb
for birds2n
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 few away.
When they alighted, it was before the
door of a very humble little house, with
blue painted steps.
s'What is that round bundle with a
red top, on the stepsp'' asked Peedee.
around bundle, indeedr' returned
Peeree indignantly. ''Why, that's Lady
Ann herself
..Just then the round bundle turned
about, and Peedee saw o 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 triekling 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
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 a merry, boyish voice
sang out: LADY Ann, wilt thou be
mine, and may I call thee ValentineP'
With a joyful little cry Lady Ann
threw down her broom: t'Oh, Billy,
Billy! Mamma has cone to carry home
the sewing, but ] can open the door.
Did you bring me anything, BillyPn
ssAh! Lady Ann, said Billy, with a
pathetic shake Of his stubby old whip,
..although I get up by the light Of q
lantern, take down shutters aud sweep
ont 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 of
myself, yet would / have it known that
on st. Valentines Day no gfocery-man
in all Brookfeld brings his lady so fine
ayalentine as /! -
WHATS waluntine, Billypn
He looked down at her with q wise,
explanatory expression upon his broad,
dreekled face. a waluntine, Lady
Ann. well. If you love me as