The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1886-02-19


.'lIurrahi" 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 headlone
manner that he almost 'capsizcd.'
'.Hurrah! She says we may"
MAY what?" said Allen Kirk. who
mad just joined the group.
Have a valentine post-oflicc." an
swcrcd hall dozen Mt once. ''in the
-chool-housc. and open II at the noon
recess"
The teacher Is better than thought
she was" announced Tom Grant. IN
send YOU one. Dolly. 50 look out for
it-and il won't be comic one either. 7
''rll tell you what, boys said Fred
Slime 70 his two confidential chums in
mischief. ..lct's yet up a good one on
.Snub-nosed Billy Won't he Just
dance with rager and the three boys
went of arm in arm in a way that meant
mischief.
Billy Townsend. or. as he was gen
orally called. '.Snub-noscd Billy," was
u Accommodating boy. about twelve
wears old. with frccklcd face. red hair
and certainly the very 'snubbiest' nose
Won ever saw.
Ii he had been bright and Jolly. his
being poor would have made no differ
ence to these fnn-loving boys. but he
was sensitive and hot-tcmpcrcd. and
when the boys tcascd him about his red
hair and "tlrn-up nose he would ily
into such passion that il soon became
the fashion TO tease Billy.
The next day was ''Ealentine's. and
long before school time the boys and
girls came tiptoeing into the school
house with Notwithstanding envel-
opcs hidden in their pockets and un-
der their aprons. 10 be deposited in the
box ia Miss Sloan's desk.
Just before school was dismissed for
dinner she began 10 distribute them.
ana as each name WAS announced the
happy poSscssor 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
or smiled as she said.
why. Billy. I'LL valentine for you!
Don't you want it?''
II did not expect any. ma'am." the
boy answered. a. he came baShfuly
forward. looking 30 pleased that Miss
Sloan watched him curiously while he
opened il. and was startled 70 see the
look Of fury that came over his face a.
he looked at the valentine. then
crumpled il up in his hand and thrust
ii into MS 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 yalentinep The rest Of YOU are
dismissed. turning 10 the other schol-
ars.
Fred Slime and Harry May looked at
each other in Consideration at the turn
affairs were taking They would Just
rs soon Miss Sloan did not see that val
cntine, but there was no help for il
now. and they had to 20.
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 i it Billy? saw your val
entine troubled YOU. viii you show it
10 mcg''
Billy did not answer. but putting one
s..s ~ "A
cntine and gave II to her.
There was Billy in caricature. GER
face covered with blotchcs
Of paint for frccklcs. nose turned up SO
far you could hang bucket on il, hair
a bright red, with a boy standing be-
hind him pretending 10 warm his hands
BY the blaze II the hair.
Billy" Miss Sloan said. quietly.
this il very mean trick. but do not
think the boys intended TO hurt you 80. "
They did. ma am" answered Billy.
without raising his head. "Thcy never
let me alone for moment. Orr he
went on with burst Of tears. mother!
mother! why did you die and leave
meP"
Miss Sloan petted and comforted him
until he began to feel a little less for
lorn. and told him II he would not get
30 angry the boys would not care 10
tease him. And then, after thinking .
long time. he said:
I'm try, Miss Sloan; and thank you.
ma am"
That's brave boy. III help You
all can; but il must depend mostly in
yourself. Now you need not stay for
the rest Of the school," and going 10
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 valcn-
tine" Fred and Harry blushed and
looked rather guilty. but she took no
notice and went on: II am more
gricvcd thar I can toll you. to think
nv boys should have done 50 mean
and cowardly a thing. ! should never
have allowed you to have the box II I
had thought this would be the result.
II would have been a. brave for two or
three u you 10 sneak up behind him
when he could not see you and strike
him, and II would not have hurt him
half 50 much. Did you think poor Billy
had 80 few troubles you would make