The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1886-02-20
HEARTLESS FUN.
Billy's Valentine. and Who Sent 1.-THE
Repentant Boys.

Repentant Boys.
"Hurrah" cried Harry May, firing
mis- cap ahead Of him out of the school.
house door, into the group of boys and
girls under the old maple tree, and fol-
lowing the cap in such a headlong
manner that he almost '~capsized. F."
"Hurrah! She says we may"
"May WHAT" said Allen Kirk. who
had just joined the group.
"Have a valentine post-office," an
swered half a dozen at once. sin the
school-house, and open it at the noo
recess.
1.-THE teacher is 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"
"Tll tell you what, boys said Fred
Slime to his two confidential chums in
mischief, "let's get up a good one on
'Snnb-nosed Billy Won't he just
dance with rage!" and the three boys
went off arm in arm in a way that meant
mischief.
Billy Townsend, or, as he was gen.
orally called, "Snub-nosed Billy" was
a torlorn-looking boy, about twelve
years old, with freckled face, red har
and certainly the very "snubbiest" nose
you ever saw.
If he had been bright and jolly, his
being poor would have made no differ
ence to these f%un-loving boys, but he
wa sensitive and hot-tempered, and
when the boys leased him about his red
hair and ''turn-up nose," he would fly
into such a passion that it soon became
the fashion to tease Billy.
The next day was valentines" and
long before school time the boys and
girls came tiptoeing into the school
house with Notwithstanding envel-
opes hidden in their pockets and un-
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 came 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
er smiled as she said:
"Why, Billy, it's a valentine for you!s
Don't you want it?'
II did not expect any, ma'am," the
boy answered, as he cam bashfully
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.
"Billy, will you wait and show me
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 60.
By this time Billy had his head down
on the desk to hide the tears that
would come in spite of him, ane Miss
Sloan, putting her hand gently On his
head, said:
"What is it, BillyP I saw your val
entine troubled you. Will you show it
to me?"
Billy did not answer, but putting one
hand into his pocket drew out the val
entine and gave it to her.
There was Billy in %caricatuze, GER
tainly-the face covered with blotches
Of paint for freckles, nose turned up so
lar you could hang a bucket on it, hair
bright red, with a boy standing be-
hind him pretending to warm bis hands
BY the blaze Of the hair.
"Billy," Miss Sloan said, quietly,
this is a very mean trick, but I do not
think the boys intended to hurt you So"
"They did, ma'am," answered Billy,
raising his head. "They never
ct me alone for a moment. Oh" he
vent on with q burst Of tears, nmother!
why did you die and leave
Miss Sloan petted and comforted him
Until he began to feel a little less for
orn, and told him If he would not get
70 angry the boys would not care to
him. And then, after thinking q
ong time, he said; !
III try, Miss Sloan; and thank you,
na'am."
That's a brave boy. I'll help you
/ can; but it must depend mostly in
'~ourself. Now you need not stay for !
be rest of the school," and going to i,
he door with him she rang the bell for !
he rest Of the school, who came in as !
lilly went out. And when they were :
seated she said: J
Boys, Billy showed me his valen. !.
Fred and Harry blushed and ,
BOXED rather guilty, but she took no .