The Somerset reporter., 1885-02-11
Selected.
For the Reporter
MARY JAMES VALENTINE
BY MRS. e. P.

dishes and crying. Now 1t was nothing
unusual for Mary Jane 10 be engaged In the
first nomed occu ,.htion; but it was very
unu ual for her to be crying. For Mary
Jane was an uncommonly happy, sunshiny
sort of girl. And, although her nose
did incline upwards just little, wee bit,
and her face wasn't quite free from freckles,
especially in summer, she was called
good-lookiUg girl, by people in general.
And Ebsn Parker, in particular, thought
she was perfectly beautiful. He never had
discovered the least shade of red In her
curly hairs TO his eyes 1t WAS lovely au-
burn. But Mary Jane had been crying all
Gay long, when she was alone. Not a
tempestuous, clearing sort of show, r,
but a slow, drizzling, melancholy storm,
and With the end apparently far off Just
rs she was hanging up the dish-pan, Mrs.
Adams, (Maiy Jane, lie 1t REMARKED was
this lady's mac-of all work) entered the
kitchen Catching sight of Mary James
eyes, aud, let us whisper it, her poor nose,
she exclaimed, In establishment:
"Why, cid! what is the matter. Are
you sick2"
"No, mann, aT not sick" replied Mary
Jane, bravely endeavoring to swallow re-
beiiaus sob or two.
'Hss Tom been teasing you agaipf" In.
Quircd the lady suspiciously.
Nom, I've scarcely seen him to-day.
You know he went IF with his grandpa,
Just before diuuer."
"Well, didn't know" said Mrs. Adams,
he Is such torment, that don't know
what to do with him, sometimes. But
what does all you, Mary Jane?"
"Nothng, guess" replied the girl.
"Why. there must" persisted Mrs.
A lams. "Anyway, you may go down and
ttt inkt har
tinued. "And, let me seel to day IL
Wednesday. You have worked pretty hard
this week, and you needn't come back un-
I'll Friday morning. We can get along one
day without you, guess. Tom won't be
bone before some time tomorrow after
noon"
80, thank you, ma am /" exclaimed Mary
Jane, wiping her eyes.
"You pecdu't stop to mix the bread"
said Mrs. Adams, kindly, as Mary Jane was
Dournfully making preparations to do the
same. "You NAV run and get yourself
ready and be off; 1t will soon be very
dark"
Only too glad to do so, In an incredibly
short space of time, Mary Jane was on the
way 10 her mothers humble cottage under
the hill.
Mrs. Adaps, 10 the meantime, mixed the
bread and settled things gene rally for the
night. Throwing parting glance aooui
the kitchen, to see II all was In order, she
noticed something white, lying on the floor,
which, upon inspection, appeared to be
letter. Upon carrying 1t 10 the light, she
discovered that the envelope was one which
Tom had begged of her that very morning.
She ecognized 1t, because of little spot
Of Ink on one corner, which Tom said,
didn't matter" Her curiosity was at
once aroused, as 1t WAS addressed to Mary
Jane. Examining II more closely, she
found II contained valentine.
"Sure enough" she said to herself, sit
is Valentines day. should like to know
what Tom has been up TO. Some mischief,
III warrant"
With this, she proceeded to inspect the
valentine. 1t was none of the love and
dove sort, full of poetieal sentiment; not
bit of IL. But 1t was, instead, perfectly
horrid," as Mrs. Adams expressed 1t Alter
wards to her better-hslf. And, worst Of
all, the rogue had put capital 4 In one
corner.
"To make that poor child think it was
from Eben Parkerp" exclaimed Mrs. Adams
to herself, Indignantly.
While this is going on, Mary Jane, with
her sorrowful head in her mothers lap,
10 pouring out her story of grief Mrs.
with ill-health, aud several small children.
"TO think, mother" sobbed the girl, "of
his sending me such an Insulting thing.
meant to have brought 1t with me, guess
| left II In my apron pocket. o, 1t was
horrid! A red-headed, squirting girl, all
freckles, and such y nose! Aud those
miserable verses"
Then, anger getting the better of grief
for q moment
II just took bis ring right straight off
and put It 10 an envelope and dropped it in
the Office, rs came along"
WASN'T that little hasty, my daugh-
terri inquired Mrs. Allen, gently.
mo, mother" said Mary Jane. misera-
bly,. "Tom said yesterday that he saw
Eben walking with one of the Tracy girls.
thought It was just TOMS nonsense, but
believe 1t now. ., dexf, l wish was
deadw
"Hush-sh, child" said Mrs. Allen, re-
provingly.
A little ashamed, Mary Jane dried her
eyes and took up her mother knitting.
Now about this time, Toms father and
mother were holding council together.
The younger ears Of the family, I've sets in
number, being safely Stopped for the night,
TOMS prank was being gravely discussed.
at WIS downright cruel" declared Mrs.
Adams, ''f0r Tom knows just how sensi-
tive Mary Jane 10 In regard to her looks"
1.-THE wofrt Of 1t was signing Eoen's
name. That waa going little too far"
said Mr.. Adams. gravely.
"He must b punlshed for this, some.
how, said Mn. Adams, thoughtfully. "He
most learn 10 b more mindful OF the feel
ings Of oshsrs."
! i ~ I'm with Mrs.. Adams 70 deal with