The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-02-21
A LUCKY MISTAKE.
The story of Two Valentines Sent by
Teddy NARROW.

Teddy NARROW.
Mamma, will you give me some
money to buy valentine?"
"a valentine, Teddy? To whom do
you wish to send valentine?"
"Why, to Susan Lane, mamma. She's
just the best and sweetest and prettiest
girl know. Please let me, mamma"
Eyes, Susy is 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 at
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, aud, INDEED,
''dear little girl the thought of her
delight filed him with joy.
A far different girl was Lucy Dare,
for she had one of those unpleasant
natures which find perverse pleasure in
paining, or, at least, teasing those too
small or too timid to retaliate
For some unknown reason, she al
ways manifested a 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
disagreeabe 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 gay
red sled.
With q blthe 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-babyr
For poor little Susy, who was rale
from long illness, was not permitted
to study or 90 to school.
With tears in his eyes, poor little Ted
Joined another schoolmate, Johnnie
Snow, on the corner, to whom he re-
IdlCll lllC blOlN Vi HIS lCN tthOCos w llllC
Johnnie was sympathizing with him
very heartily, they reached the little
newsstand, whose windows were hung
with q 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:
"Oh, look, Johnnie! There's one
exactly like Lucy Dare when she's
cross.
." So it is" replied Johnnie And
if l We're you, I'd get it and send it to
| her
Smartng with his recent insult, Ted
dy agreed, and they entered and made
| the purchase, and then. after long de-
liberation, Teddy chose for Susy
! frosted-lace affair, with setting of
which nestled such tender expressions
as MAY you be happy, My sincere
love to YOU" but the most prominent
| figure in which was a rosy little gentle
man, in an olive-oreen coat, crimson
Knee-breeches and waist-coat, with
cooked hat and perukc, tied with GRIM
son ribbons, a very dapper, much-be-
ruffied little man, holding a bouquet as
big as a cabbage, and, with a most
! graceful air, extending a card, which
! begged his Sweetest valentine to
remember me.
Altogether, it certainly was, as John
! ME said, just a beautyn' 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 ac-
complished when the first summons of
the school-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 school-rooms barely in
time to escape tardy mark.
A postman going his rounds on st.
Valentines Day must be a hard
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 bun
die of mail at Mr.. Lanes, and he
laughed to himself as he ran down the
steps, having overheard Susy's happy
cry Of
"O-o-oh! Such lots OF valen-
tines!"
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 ''crsning' lit
tie brother.
Her cheeks flushed with excitement,
Susy opened one of hers with many ex-
CARNATIONS of pleasure at its beauty.
TheI she opened the other. But what
is thisp
First a look of establishment and then
of grief overspreads her face; the color
leaves her cheeks, the brightness hel
ayes, and there falls rain OF tears.