Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-03-11
ST. VALENTINE AMONG THE SMITHS.
Ely FANNIE e. NEwBERRY.

BY FANNIE B. NEwBERRY.
II was almost too bleak day to
think of Cupids and mating birds, that
14lh of February, and Jamie Smith
drew his overcoat up about his ears,
nearly concealing his uniform cap, as
he plunged forward through the whirl-
ing snow. quite regardless of conse-
qucrces. Jamie was New York mes
scngcr-boy, in the regular service, and
lie knew from past experience that he
wonl1 have his hands full this Valen-
tines day carrying sweet missives, bon
bon boxes, and flowers about, so there
wasn't u bit of use in frctting over the
weather. As he tore around the COR
ncr, head bent forward and eyes on the
ground, he felt sudden shock and
found himself sitting down very hard
on the sidewalk, while directly oppo-
site, in the same posture, and making
great ado over it, was lady of I'M
certain age and contorted visage.
You hateful, ha-ateful boy!" she
cried, clutching at the empty air in
her frantic efforts to rise. What do
you mean, running into people so? o
dear!' and she seemed about to cry.
Full of laughter as he felt, Jamie
was little gentleman, so he sprang to
his feet and, holding out hand to the
struggling lady, said very politely:
~ beg your pardon, ma'am, but l
didn't see you at ALL won't you let me
help you up?"
A little Modified. she permitted him
to assist her. after which he brushed
the blackened snow from her sealskin
cloak and watched her travel on, think
ing what crabbed-looking creature
she was, but without an idea that he
should ever see her again. All the
morning he darted back and forth, now
boarding q street-car, now on the ele-
waited road, once springing up the
gangway Of a steamer, just before she
cleared her moorings, with some last
missive from home to an outbound pas
senger-till noon found him III a cheap
restaurant swallowing his lunch, ana
conda-like, at stand-up, ready to be
of again without wasting minute.
But all through the busy day, one
thought kept him satisfied and cheer
ful-the thought of the dainty, scented
valentine he was carrying in his breast
pocket for Celia.
He had planned q dozen times just
how he would steal up to the door and
ring the bell, leaving the envelope on
the steps, then run quickly around the
corner and hide, soon to come in care
lessly whistling, as if just from the
street car How to keep back long
enough not to excite her suspicious and
yet come soon enough to see her sur
prised face was quandary-but Jamie
could solve il if anyone, for he was
used to planning pleasures for Celia.
The little Smiths were orphans, and
kept house alone in a doll-baby way, in
two rooms of small cottage, tenanted
By young laborer and his wife, who
took an interest in the children, and
Strengthened out the housekeeping some
times, when things got into tangle.
Celia went to school when she was well
enough, she was not very strong,-so
Jamie took his lunches downtown,
ION the hy,n as he expressed it, but
she was always home to have a cozy
little supper ready by 6 o'clock, and
then, how their tongues would clatter
as they told each other all the remark
able events of the day.
1t was quite dark as Jamie hurried
on his last errand-the delivering q
large envelope, oddly enough address
ed to Miss G. ii. Smith, mot that the
surname surprised him, as he delivered
quantities of Smith matter every month,
but the &. II. were Celia's own initials,
which certainly was little strange.
He ran up the steps of handsome
house and, though in a hurry, stopped
an instant to watch a man-servant with
in, who could be plainly seen through
the lace-hung windows as he Lighted
the chandler in an elegant drawing
room, when, to his utter surprise, al
inner door opened to admit lady
the very lady whom he had upset tina
morningl
Excited and laughing at the recollec
ton, he rang the bell, and, as the mar
promptly appeared, handed the envel
ope, rs he supposed, and ran down TIT
steps.
$50 that's Miss G. II. Smith, h,
said, as he hailed car. II though
she was an old maid when l tipped he
over this morning. Funny how thing
happen in this world! / must tel
Celia"
Feeling for the valentine, which hat
been tucked in the same pocket will
Miss Smiths communication, he wa
soon carrying out all plans to perfec
housekeeping it upon the step ant
running to hiding-place after a vic
lent ring at the bcll-not so far, either
but that he saw the door opened AM
heard cry of surprise, which he rec
ognized as Celia's.
Waiting moment, he came in, wit
a great deal of buster over the colo
and snow.
30 Jamie, the queerest thing!" crie'
Celia, meeting him at the door, he
eyes wildly bright and bit of pape
waving in her hand. Someone ran
the door-bell and left this on the door
step, addressed TO me-'Miss G. II
Smith'--as grown up like as you please
OF course thought twas valentine
SO opened it, and what do you think
There was queer, printed slip of pa
per telling the national bank to pay m
S1,500-did you ever hear OF such
fbinOpr