The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-02-11
MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT.
How Natty Proved Herself st.
Valentine Goose.

ANY one who does not recognize the OPP
portunity st. Valentine gives one for speak
ing ones mind in 2ice way to friend is
veritable out-and-out goose!' Nathalie
threw her head up in a superior fashion
that amused Phil.
"Wel, girl does delight in posing as a
goose. Boys are rather ashamed of like
ness to the Anticipated fowl" Phil met
superiority with superiority and felt quite
clever, on the whole. ~ wouldn't make
such speech again, if were you, Natty,'
he added, with kind patronage. "Of course
every one knows, and has recognized the
fact before you and l were born, that ST.
Valentines Day has from time immemorial
been the opportunity when one should un-
bosom himself, and speak of loves sweet
dream and
"Love? o, Phil, you are the goose !
Love9 o, dear!"
Nathalie rushed across the room, and, in
delighted derision, emphasized her epithet
between him and his book.
What in the world are you driving atln
he cried, GROSSLY, and lifting a red face at
her, "Didn't you say, yourself, that ST.
Valentines day was the time to speak one S
mind in a nice way to a friend-say2"
Eyes, but not about loving, and two
hearts beating as one, and all that" said
Nathalie, trying hard not to laugh at his
face.
''Stuff and nonsensew declared Phil.
holly. Haven't always rallied at the day
ever since | can remembers And now you
are going to embroil me in question over
1T. Only another reason why | wish St.
Valentine had never been heard ofr'
"Phillie," asked Nathalie, the laugh
dropping out of face and tone, and covering
the page with firm little hand ''don't you
think it can be done" She peered earn
estly into the countenance that presented
a by no means conciliatory expression.
"What2"
'Don't you think girl might say some
things to her friends-real good friends
you know-that she has wanted to say to
them all through the year; how she has
noticed that they were not so sincere as
they had been to her, and that they did not
keep up in their classes, and their manners
weren't so good as they used to be-things
Phillie, that girls ought to say to each
other? Don't you think it could be done in
a nice way in valentinem Nathalie
searched his eyes anxiously.
"Whew just you try it on if you want to
get your head broken" cried Phil, pushing
his chair away from book and table to look
at her ''The idea Of selling that soft and
tender season as an opportunity to sling a
brick at fellow-excuse me-a susceptible
maiden! just try it-that's all l sayn
''Girls are not all such stiles as you make
US out" cried Nathalie, loftily; and, draw
ing herself away in dignity, "you may not
know it, but we have just formed Mutual
Improvement Society," Philip Carr, and we
have agreed that we will take from each
other whatever is said for our good. We
ask to be criticised freely, and we have
promised to think just as much as ever of
any girl who tells us of our faults"
"May l be preserved from seeing the
wrecks" cried Phil, 'of broken friendships
and dilapidated affections In a week you'll
be lucky if you get the girls to speak to
you, if you set up this business. Take my
advice, Natty, and have nothing to do with
it, he said, more kindly.
''Iudeed, l shall have something to do
with it," declared Nathalie, perversely;
s'and a good DEAL too. I've just bought ten
sweet valentines, and shall write it all as
kind as can be and sign my name, just what
think ought to say, to each of the girls,
and they will thank me for it," She gave
her brown curls shake, and, her spirits
rising, now that the decisive step was
taken, she began to dance around the room
10 a gay little tune.
'Write out what you think of the other
girlsr ~ cried Philip. "Put it down in black
aud whtte o, you goose-you st. Valen-
tine goosel"
an be a goose, then" cried Nathalie,
bravely. "You'll seel It's you who will
be the goose on the 14th Of February and
YOU boys will follow our nice plan next
year. hope so; for it may improve you in
. good many ways not mentioned now"