The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-02-06
"HERBERT WILSON, ESQ. /"

My pretty, bright, Jolly mamma"
Youths Companion
"HERBERT WILSON. ESQ.,"
Now Bertie's Valentine was Directed.
and what became Of It.
Hundreds and hundreds OF valentines
were scattered about the floor; some in
envelopes, some in boxes, all shapes and
sizes. The curious part OF 1t was that
every one was addressed to the same
person; for on every one WAS written, in
very crazy letters: Herbert Wilson,
Esq"
BERTHE was simply bewildered. Who
could have sent SO many valentines to
him?
Quickly taking hold Of the biggest box
he began to open 1t. All at once the lid
few up, and hit him in the face. Then
the other boxes jumped up, and began
to knock his head, arms, and legs; and
then they all began shouting: ut Is
Valentines Day at last"
BERTHE rubbed his eyes, gave himself
. shake, and woke to find that it was
only dream.
There were no valentines knocking
him, but his sister Rhoda was knocking
At his door. trying to wake him, and
shouting: Its Valentines Day. Wake
up, BERTHE! ! wonder who will have the
most valentines!'
With one bound BERTHE was ont of
bed, and before Rhoda had finished ty-
ing her pinafore he was halfway down.
stairs.
'.Rat-a-tat-tat!' came the postman's
knock at the door, and five letters wero
left in Bertie's hands.
But just as he was going to examine
his treasures hand was stretched over
his shoulder, and Rhoda snatched the
letters from him. and ran with them in
to the breakfast-room.
'.Rhoda! BERTHE! What noise!" ex-
claimed Mrs. Wilson.
"Mother-the letters!' gasped Rhoda,
quite out of breath.
valentines Day." said BERTHE;
''there's one for me on the top"
Say Good morning properly, chill
dren, and give me the letters" said Mr..
Wilson.
He looked at the letters.
lone for Rhoda. one for mother, and
three for me-" he said; There are none
for you. BERTHE. You are not Herbert
Wilson, Esq. The top one is for me-"
BERTHE went very red. and murmured
something about feeling sure it was for
him. But no one took any notice.
There, Master Bertie.' cried Rhoda,
! ''who has the most valentines?"
But BERTHE was anxiously watching
his father. Mr.. Wilson, however, did
not seem in any hurry to open his let
/, tiers.
"Well. as it is Valentines Day, chill.
dren." he said, ''how would you like Z
half-holiday this afternoon. and drive
with me into town.
How would they like it? Rhods
beamed, and troubled BERTHE nearly
smiled.
Il am sure they would lie it very
much.' said Mrs. Wilson. What time
do you start?"
1.-TWO o'clock; SO come homo early
/ from school,"
1T is time you were OF now, chill.
dren," said Mrs. Wilson. run and get
ready"
Rhoda jumped up, but BERTHE walked
very slowly. As he passed behind hi
/, fathers chair he glanced longingly d
the unopened letter.
When he returned to the room with
his hat on he looked very unhappy, FOL
he saw the letter in his fathers hand
He stepped forward to speak, but to hi.
surprise his father said:
81 am sorry. children, to have to dis
appoint you, but this is notice of {
meeting which must attend. shall
have to go into town much earlier"
"Oh!" said Rhoda; and it was very
long ''Oh!''
Mr.. Wilson turned to his wife.
at is very queer he said. II though
the meeting was next week, not this"
ASK Mr.. Brown about ii, said Mrs
Wilson; '.he is sure to know"
Il will. Rhoda, Is you 20 to school
take this note in to Mr.. Brown, and asl
If he has had one like it,
.Shall take it?" asked BERTHE.
"Well, you may both take it; and II !,
is all right you need not come back
BERTHE put his sachel over his shoul
der very thoughtfully-so thoughtful,
that he never noticed that he had for
gotten to put any books in 1t 6rst.
| Rhoda took the big umbrella, and the,
hand-in-hand they went down the walk
BERTHE looked very cross. He felt .,
worried that he never looked round II
wave his hand to his mother, who stoot
ut the gate watching the children.
.'Bertie," said Rhoda, gently, lit Is ,
pity we can not have our ride"
s'Umv said BERTHE.
"Bertie," said Rhods again, 81 Am 81
sorry had valentine and you didn't
You are certain to have one some tim
to-day, because''-then she hesitated-
"because / sent you one myself"
"Rhoda, I'll" began BERTHE, but jus
then Rhoda ran across the road to = gen
tleman.
"Oh, dear, it's Mr.. Brown" said BERTHE
He watched Mr.. Brown open the letter
he saw Mr.. Brown frown, and the
heard him say something about mo nc
tice; nonsense! Speak to father" The
frowning, Mr.. Brown walked back
the house, followed by Rhoda and Bel
tie.
Ibid you mean to insult me, Mr.. Wi
son." asked Mr.. Brown, sending mo
silly verse like this and asking II ha
received one?"
Verse;" said Mr.. Wilson, Verse?
sent you notice Of meeting"
But Mr.. Brown passed him the p,
per. On it was written in very tips
letters
"The rose ID red. the violet's blue,
Carnations sweet. aud SO are you;
And 80 are they that send you this,
And when we meet we'll have kiss."
Mr.. Wilson seemed too astounded
say any thing.
There's something written on ii
other side of the paper" said Rhoda.
Mr.. Wilson turned it, and there, q
i the back, was the notice Of the meeting
There" he said, that is what
meant"
And that, SIR" said Mr.. Brow
/ a. ~ -