Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-03-05
A MEAN TRICK.
Billy's Valentine. and Who Sent 1.-THE
Repentant Boys.

girls under the old maple tree, and fol-
lowing the cap in such a headlong
manner that he almost ''capsizcd."
"Hurrah! She says we may"
"May what:?" said Allen Kirk, who
had just joined the group.
''Have a valentine post-of1icc," an
swered half a dozen at once, ''in the
school-housc, and open it at the noon
recess"
"The teachers better than I thought
she was," announced Tom Grant. 'I'll
send you one, Dolly, SO look out for
it-and it won't be a comic one either"
"I'll tell you what, boys" said Fred
Slime to his two confidential chums in
mischief, "let's get up a good one on
'Snub-nosed Billy Won't he Just
dance with ragc!" and the three boys
went off arm in arm in away that meant
mischief.
Billy Townsend, or, as he was gen
orally called, %"Snub-nosed Billy" was
a forlorn-looking boy, about twelve
years old, with frecklcd face, rcd hair
and certainly the very ''snubbiest" nose
you ever saw
If he had been bright and Jolly, his
being poor would hare made no differ
ence to these fun-loving boys, but he
WAS sensitive and hot-tempered, and
when the boys teased him about his red
hair and "turn-up nose," he would fly
into such a passion that it soon became
the fashion tO tease Ri)lv-
The next day was 'Valentine's," and
long before school time the boys and
girls came tip.oeirs into the school
house with MISUNDERSTANDING envel-
opes hidden in their pockets arr I'M
der their aprons, to be deposited in the
box in Miss Sloan's desk.
just before school was dismissed for
dinner she began to distribute them,
and as each name was announced the
happy possessor cam smiling up to
receive his share.
Little Dolly had just come into pos
session OF her promised one, and then
Miss Sloan called 'Billy Townsend"
''Billy said: "What, ma'rm," in
rather a frightened voice that made the
scholars all laugh, and even the teach
VI i do SIlt Sillo.
''Why, Billy, its Il valentine for you!
Don't you want it:"
81 did not expect any, ma'am," the
boy answered, as he came bashfullv
forward, looking SO pleased that Miss
Sloan watched him curiously while he
opened it, and was startled to see the
look of fury that came over his face as
he looked at the valentine, then
crumpled it up in his hand and thrust
it into his pocket.
She did not say anything till the box
was empty and then spoke very quietly
and pleasantly.
your valentine? The rest of you are
dismissed" turning to the other schol-
ars.
Fred Slime and Harry May looked at
each other in CONSERVATION at the turn
affairs were taking. They would Just
as soon Miss Sloan did not see that val
entine, but there was no help for it
now, and they had to 90.
By this time Billy had his head down
on the desk to hide the tears that
would come in spite Of him, and Miss
Sloan, putting her hand gently on his
head, said:
'.What is it. Billy? saw your val
entine troubled you. Will you show it
to me?"
Billy did not answer, but putting II
hand into his pocket drew out the val
entlne and gave it to her.
There was Billy in caricature, GER
tainly-the face covered with blotches
OF paint for freckles, nose turned up SO
far you could hang a bucket on it, hair
a bright red, with a boy standing be-
him pretending to warm his hands
by the blaze of the hair.
chilly Miss Sloan said, quietly.
''this is a very mean trick, but l do not
think the boys intended to hurt ycu 500
"They did, ma'am," answered Billy,
without raising his head. ':They never
let me alone for a moment. Oh!n he
went on with aburst of tears. "mother!
mother! why did you die and leave
Miss Sloan pettcd and comforted him
until he began to feel a little less for
lorn, and told him if he would not pet
angry the boys would not care TO
tease him. And then, after Thinking a
long time, he said:
IN try, Miss Sloan; and thank you,
That's a brave boy. I'll help you
all l can; but it must depend mostly in
yourself. Now you need not stay for
the rest of the SCHOOL," and going to
the door with him she rang the bell for
the rest of the school, who came in as
Billy went out. And when they were
all seated she said:
Boys, Billy showed MI his valen-
inc Fred and Harry blushed and
looked rather guilty. but she took no
notice and went on: II am more
grieyed than a tell you, to think
my boys should have done so mean
and cowardly a thing. l should never
have allowed you to have the box if 7
had thought this would be the result
1t would have been as brave for two or
three OF you to sneak up behind him
when he could not see you and strike
him, and il would NOT h.vo bu,t -