The Arizona sentinel., 1886-02-27
A MEAN TRICK.
BilIy's Valentine, and Who Sent It-The
 RePentant Boys.

Repentant Boys.
 ''Hurrahr' cried Harry May, firing his 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 headlong manner that he almost ''capsized.' y "Hurrah! She says we may"
 May what?" said Allen Kirk, who had just joined the group.
 ''Have a valentine post-ofice," an- swered half dozen at once, ''in the school-house, and open it at the noon recess"
 ''The teacher is better than thought she was," announced Tom Grant. ''Fll send you one, Dolly, so look out for it-and it won't be comic one either" "
 ''TIl tell you what, boys,' said Fred Stine to his\two confidential chums in mischief, ''let's get up good one on 'Snub-nosed Billy Won't he just dance with rager' and the three boys went off arm in arm in way that meant mischief
 Billy Townsend. or, as he was gen. erally called, ''Snub-nosed Billy" was forlorn-looking boy, about twelve years old, with freckled face, red hair 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 fun-loving boys, but he was sensitive and hot-tempered, and when the boys leased him about his red hair and ''turn-up nose," he would fly into such passion that it soon became | the fashion to tease Billy.
 The next day was ''Valentine's, >" and long before school time the boys and girls came tiptoeing into the school house with mysterious-lOoking 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 frightened voice that made the scholars all laugh, and even the teach CT smiled as she said:
 "Why, Billy, it's valentine for you! Don't you want it?'
 ''I did not expect any, ma am, the boy answered, as he came 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 valentinep The rest of you are dismissed" turning to the other schol- | ars.
 Fred Stine and Harry May looked at | each other in cOnsternatiOn at the turn affairs were taking. They would just l as soon Miss Sloan did not see that val entine, but there was no help for it now, and they had to go. 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? l saw your val entine troubled you. Will you show it to meP"
 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 caricature, cer- tainly-the face covered with blotches of paint for freclzles, nose turned up so far you could hang bucket on it, hair bright red, with boy standing be- hind him pretending to warm his hands | by the blaze of the hair.
 Billy" Miss Sloan said, quietly, ''this is very mean trick, but 1 do not think the boys intended to hurt you so. :"
 ''They did, ma'am," answered Billy, without raising his head. ''They never let me alone for moment. Oh?' he went on with burst of tears, another! mother why did you die and leave me?"
 Miss Sloan petted and comforted him until he began to feel little less for lorn, and told him if he would not get so angry the boys would not care to tease him. And then, after thinking long time, he said:
 ''I'll try, Miss Sloan; and thank you, ma am."
 That's brave boy. I'll help you all 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 me his valen- tine." Fred and Harry blushed and looked rather guilty, but she took no notice and went on: 'I am more grieved than I can tell you, to think my boys should have done so mean and cowardly thing. I should never have allowed you to have the box if l had thought this would be the result. It would have been as brave for two or three of you to sneak up behind him