The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-02-26
A MEAN TRICK.


Billy's valentine, and Who Sent lt-The
Repentant Boys.
"Hurrah" 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."
s'Hurrah! She says we may"
s.May whatP" said Allen Kirk, who
had just joined the group.
"Have a valentine post-office," an
swered half dozen at once, sin the
school-house, and open it at the noon
recess"
'.The teacher is better than thought
she was," announced Tom Grant. ''I'll
send you one, Dolly, SO look out for
it-and it won't be comic one either. !"
'I'll 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 rage!' and the three boys
went off arm in arm in way that meant
mischief.
Billy Townsend, or, as he was gen.
orally 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 teased 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 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 fol
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 ther
Miss Sloan called ..Billy Townsend
ssBiIly said: "What, ma rm," il
rather frightened voice that made thu
scholars all laugh, and even the teach
Ell smiled as she said:
"Why, Billy, it's a valentine for you
Don't you want itph
~ did not expect any, ma'am," tn
boy answered, as he came bashfull
forward, looking so pleased that Mis-
Sloan watched him curiously while h
opened it, and was startled to see th
look of fury that came over his face a
he looked at the valentine, the
crumpled it up in his hand and thrus
it into his pocket.
She did not say anything till the bo
was empty and then spoke very quietl
and pleasantly.
''Billy, will you wait and show m
your valentinep The rest of you al
dismissed" turning to the other scho
ars.
Fred Slime and Harry May looked {
each other in CONSERVATION at the tur
affairs were taking. They would jul
as soon Miss Sloan did not see that va
entine, but there was no help for
now, and they had to go.
BY this time Billy had his head dow
on the desk to hide the tears th
would come in spite of him, and Mi
Sloan, putting her hand gently on h
mead, said:
"What is it, Billyp saw your va
entine troubled you. win you show
to mep"
, Billy did not answer. but putting OIL
hand into his pocket drew out the va
entine and gave it to her.
, There was Billy in caricature, ce
, tainly-the face covered with blotch
of paint for freckles, nose turned up
far you could hang bucket on it, ha
) a bright red, with boy standing b
, hind him pretending to warm his han
by the blaze of the hair.
! Billy Miss Sloan said, quietl
: "this is a very mean trick, but do n
think the boys intended to hurt you so
9 ..'They did, ma'am, !" answered Bill
S without raising his head. ''They nev
9 let me alone for a moment. Ohr'
4 went on with aburst of tears, ''moth,
/, mother! why did you die and lea
S mepn
e Miss Sloan petted and comforted h
I until he began to feel little less fl
d lorn, and told him if he would not s
/, SO angry the boys would not care
i tease him. And then, after y linking
Y long time, he said:
: "Pll try, Miss Sloan; and thank "
+ ma'am
}. 'That's brave boy. I'll help y
! all can; but it must depend mostly
3 yourself. Now you need not stay
n the rest of the school;' and going
u the door with him she rang the bell
). the rest of the school, who came in
u Billy went out. And when they W
'e all seated she said:
= "Boys, Billy showed me his val
= tine" Fred and Harry blushed 9
!. looked rather guilty, but she took
/ notice and went on: 81 am m
! grieved than can tell you, to thi
! my boys should have done SO mt
!. and cowardly thing. should ne
> have allowed you to have the box j
= had thought this would be the ros'
:. 1t would have been as brave for two
three Of you to sneak up behind