The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-03-19
A LUCKY MISTAKE.
The Story of Two Valentines Sent by
Teddy NARROW.

"a valentine. TeddyP To whom dc
you wish to send valentine?"
"Why, to Susan Lane, mamma. She
just the best and sweetest and prettiest
girl know. Please let me, mamma. "
Eyes, Susy is a dear little girl, and
you shall send her valentine, if you
like"
And Mrs. NARROW handed the little
boy some change, bidding him hasten,
lest he be late to school.
Away went Teddy, full of glee al
thought of the fun ahead, for he was
a generous, loving little fellow, much
happier IN giving pleasure to others
than in being pleased himself, and as
Susy. being his next-door neighbor,
was his special friend, and indeed, a
''dear little GIRL the thought of her
delight filled him with joy.
A far different girl was Lucy Dare,
for she had one of those unpleasant
natures which find perverse pleasure in
palning, or, at least, teasing those too
small or too timid to retaliate.
| For some unknown reason, she al
ways manifested particular spite
against innocent little Teddy and Susy.
perhaps because their amiable DISPOSE
| tons, so in contrast with her own. won
for them universal love, while she was
| generally disliked for her unfortunately
disagreeable and provoking temper.
This bright February afternoon, as
Ted passed Susy's gate, she was run
ming up and down the snowy walks,
| giving her little four-year-old brother,
Jimmie, delightful ride on his CAV
red sled. -.
With blithe greeting, Teddy passed
on, to be hailed by Lucy Dare, at the
next crossing, with:
"Halloa, girl-boy! Playing with Susy
Lane, and she's nothing but stupid
cry-babyn' asst
For poor little Susy, who was pale
from long illness, was not permitted
to study or go to school.
With tears in his eyes, poor little Ted
joined another schoolmate, Johnnie
Snow, on the corner, to whom he re-
lated the story of his grievances. While
johnnie was sympathizing with him
very heartily, they reached the little
newsstand, whose windows were hung
with a tempting array of seasonable
pictures, some comic, some dainty and
delicate enough for fairy gifts.
Of course, the boys stood there to
examine before entering, and, present.
ly, Teddy cried out .a
"Oh, look, Johnniei There's one
exactly like Lucy Dare when she's
cross
So it isl replied Johnnie. "And
it l were you, I'd get it and send it to
her"
Smarting with his recent insult, Ted
dy agreed, and they entered and made
the purchase, and then, after long de-
liberation, Teddy chose for Susy a
frosted-lace affair, with a setting of
crimson rose-buds and verbenas, among
which nestled such tender expressions
as MAY You be happy" ''My sincere
love to YOU but the most prominent
figure in which was rosy little gentle
man, in an oliVe-green coat, crimson
Knee-breeches and waist-coat, with a
cooked hat and peruke, tied with erim-
son ribbons, a very dapper, mueh-be-
ruffied little man, holding a bouquet as
big as cabbage, and, with most
graceful air, extending card, which
begged his Sweetest valentine to
{ remember me.
= Altogether, it certainly was, as John
ME said, "Just beauty!' or, accord
ing to the stationer. "A perfect gent"
Then two large, handsome envelopes
were selected, which Johnnie, who was
two years older and smarter than Ted,
agreed to address. ~
Scarcely was this laborious task &C
compIished when the first summons of
the sehool-bell fell upon their ears.
In the rush and scramble that en-
sued, the two valentines were hastily
thrust into their envelopes and dropped
into the nearest letter-box, while, after
an exciting race, our little friends
reached their sehool-rooms barely In
time to escape tardy mark.
A postman' going his rounds on st.
Valentines Day must be a hard-hearted
fellow, indeed, if he feel no sympathy
for the shining faces and eyes which so
eagerly welcome him.
The one whose district included the
homes of our little friends fairly beamed
with smiles as he caught sight of three
eager faces peeping from the parlor
door when he delivered the large bum
die of mail at MIR. Lanes, and he
laughed to himself as he ran down the
steps, having overheard Snsy's happy
cry Of -
"O-o-oh! Such lots of valen-
tinesi'' @
Yes. There were four for Sister
Grace, and two for Susy, and even one
for Little Jim-for which, l rather
think, Grace might have given account
as she dearly loved her .9cunning' lit
tie brother. a
Her cheeks flushed with excitement.
Susy opened one Of hers with many ex-
carnations OF pleasure at its beauty.
Then she opened the other. But what
Is this?
First look of establishment and then
OF grief overspreads her face: the color
leaves her cheeks, the brightness her
eyes, and there falls q rain III toars