Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-02-17
ST. VALENTINE AMONG THE SMITHS.
BY FANNIE E. NEwBERRY.

III FANNIE l.. NEN bIhhi
II was almost too bleak Il day to
think of Cupids and mating birds. that
14th 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-
QuenceS. Jamie was a New York mes
senger-boy, in the regular service, and
he knew from past experience that he
would have his hands full this Nalen-
tines day CARRYING sweet missives, bon
bon boxes, and flowers about, so there
wasn't "A bit of use i'm fretting over the
weather. As he tore around the cor
ner, head bent forward and eyes on the
ground, he felt a sudden shock and
found himself sitting down very hard
on the sidewalk. while directly oppo-
site. in the same posture, and making
a great ado over it, was a lady of I'M
certain age and contorted yisage.
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 a little gentleman, 30 he sprang TO
his feet and, holding out a hand to the
struggling lady, said very politely:
IL beg your pardon, ma'am. but
didn't see YOU at all; wont you let me
help YOU up?'
a little Modified, she permitted him
to assist her. after which he brushed
the blackened Snow from her seal~kin
cloak and watched her travel on, think
inc what a grabbed looking creature
she was, but without an idea hat he
should ever see her again. All the
morning he darted back and forth, now
boarding a street-car, now on the ele-
waited road, nee springing mp the
gangway of "A steamer, just before she
cleared her m%oOrings. with some last
missive from home To an outbound pas
senger-till noon found him in a cheap
restaurant swallowing his lunch, ana
conda-l.ke. AT a stand-up, ready to be
off again without wasting a minute.
But all through the busy day, one
thought kept him satisfied and cheer
ful-the thought of the dainty, scented
valentine he wa carry ing in his breast
pocket for Celia.
lie had planned a 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
les>lv whistlinG, a. 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
priscd face was a quandary-but Jamie
could solve it 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 a small cottage, tenantcd
by "A young laborcr and his wife. who
took an interest in the children. and
Strengthened out the housekeeping some
times, when things got into a tangle.
Celia went to school when she was well
enough she was not very strong,-so
Jamie took his lunches downtown,
''on the fly" as he expressed it, but
she was always home to have a coy
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 IA
large envelope, oddly enough address,
ed to Miss G. ii. Smith,-not that the
surprised him, as he delivered
quantities of Smith matter every month,
but the G.. III. were Celia's own initials,
which certainly was a little strange.
He ran up the steps of a 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. an
inner door opened to admit a lady
the very lady whom he had upset that
morning!
Excited and laughing at the rccollec-
ton. he rang the bell, and. as the man
promptly appeared. handed the envel-
ope. as he supposed, and ran down the
steps.
$50 that's Miss G. III. SMITH he
said. as he hailed a car. Il thought
she was an old maid when | tipped her
over this morning. Funny how things
happen in this world! | must tell
Celia"
Feeling for the valentine, which had
been tucked in the same pocket with
Miss Smiths communication, he was
soon carrying out all plans to perfec-
housekeeping it upon the step and
running to a hiding-place after a vio-
lent ring at the bell-not so far, either,
but that he saw the door opened and