Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-02-15
MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT.
How Natty Proved Herself ST.
Valentine Goose.

"Any one who does not recognize the op-
portunity ST. Valentine gives one for speak
ing ones mind in nice way to friend is
veritable ont-and-out goose!' Nathalie
threw her head up in superior fashion
that amused Phil.
swell, 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 Il wouldn't make
such a speech again, if were you, Nattv."
he added, with kind patronage. "Of course
every one knows. and has recognized the
fact before you and were born, that st.
Valentines Dav has from time immemorial
been the opportunity when one should un-
bosom himself, and speak of loves sweet
dream and"
''Loue' o, Phil, YOU are the goose |
I.oEea 0, dcarr'
Nathalie rushed across the room, and, in
delighted derision, emphasized her epithet
between him and his book.
''What in the world are you driving att"
he cried. GROSSLY, and lifting a red face at
her, ''Didn't you say, yourself, that St.
Valentines day was the time to speak ones
mind in nice wav to a friend-say2"
"Yes, 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 nonsense!" declared Phil,
holly. "Haven't always rallied at the day
ever since can remember! And now you
are going to embroil mo in a question over
it. DULY another reason why wish st.
Valentine had never been heard OPP
''Phillie," asked Nathalie, the laugh
dropping out OF face and tone, and covering
~ ~
think it can be done2" She peered earn
estly into the countenance that presented
by no means conciliatory expression.
"Wha'2''
'Don't you think a 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-thing rs,
Phillie, that girls ought to say to each
other? Don't you think it could be done in
. nice way in valentine2" 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. 1.-THE idea of Selling that soft and
tender season as an Oppor' unity to sling a
brick at a fellow-excuse me-a susceptible
maiden: Just try it-that's all say"
''Giris 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
my girl who tells US of our faults.n
"May be preserved from seeing the
wrecks" cried Phil, ''of broken friendships
and dilapidated afectionsl In 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.
''Indeed, shall have something to do
with it," declared Nathalie, perversely:
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 q shake, and, her spirits
rising, now that the decisive step was
taken, she began to dance around the room
to gay little tune.
.'Write out what you think of the other
girlsn cried Philip. PUT it down in black
snd white! 0, you goose-you st. Valen-
tine goose!"
..pll be goose, them" cried Nathalie,
brayely. ''You'll seei 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"