St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1890-02-22
"HERBERT WILSON, ESQ "
How Berties Valentine Was Directed
and What Became of It.

How Bertie's Valentine Was Directed
and What Became of It.
Hundreds and hundreds of valentines
were scattered about the floor; some in en-.
velopes, some in boxes, all shapes and
sizes. The curious part of it 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 him1
Quickly taking hold of the biggest box
he began to open it. 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: cit is Valentines
Day at last"
BERTHE rubbed his eyes, gave himself a
shake, and woke to find that it was only a
dream.
There were no valentines knocking him,
but his sister Rhoda was knocking at his
door, trying to wake him, ard shouting:
cts Valentines Day. Wake up, Berthe
| wonder VINO will have the most valen-
tines /"
With one bound Berthe was out of bed,
and before Rhoda had finished tying her
pinafore he was lf-way down stairs.
"Rat-a-t tat tail came the postman's
knock at the door, and five letters were
left in Berries hands.
But just as he was going to examine his
treasures hand was stretched over his
shoulder, and Rhoda snstched the letters
from him. and ran with them into the
breakfast room.
"Rhods! Bertiel What noiser' ex-
claimed Mrs. Wilson.
.'Mother-the letters" gasped Rhoda,
quite out of breath.
''Valintines Day." said BERTHE; "there's
one for me on the top"
'say Good morning properly, children,
and give me the letters" said Mr.. Wilson.
He looked at the Letters.
'sOne for Rhoda one for mother, and
three for me" he said. 'sThere 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 2'
But BERTHE was anxiously watching his
father. Mr.. Wilson, however, did not
seem in any hurry to open his letters.
"Well, as it is Valentines Day, chill
dren," he said, show would you like
half holiday this afternoon, and drive
with me into town.
How would they like it? Rhoda beamed,
and troubled BERTHE nearly smiled.
81 am sure they would like it very
much said Mrs. Wilson. "What time
do you start?''
"Fwo o'clock; SO come home early from
school,"
cit is time you were off now, children"
said Mrs. Wilson. "Run and get ready"
Rhoda jumped up, but Berthe walked
very slowly. AS he passed behind his ia
theirs chair he glanced longingly at the
unopened letter.
When he returned to the room with his
hat on he looked very unhappy, for he
saw the letter in his fathers hand. He
stepped forward to speak, but to his sur
prise his father said
Il am sorry, children, to have to disap-
point 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 "Ohl"
Mr.. Wilson turned to his wife.
cit is very queer" he said. 81 thought |
the meeting was next week, not this"
"Ask Mr.. Brown about it," said Mrs. |
Wilson che is sure to know
81 will. Rhoda, as you go to school
take this note in to Mr. Brown and ask |
if he has had one ike it."
f'Shall take it ?" asked Berthe.
"Weil, you may both take it; and if it |
is all right you need not come back
H. al, al 81,
very thoughtfully-so thoughtfully that
he never noticed that he had Forgotten to
put any books in it first.
Rhoda took the big umbrella, and then
hand in hand they went down the walk.
BERTHE looked very cross. He felt so
worried that he never looked around to
wave his hand to his mother, who stood at
the gate watching the children.
"Bertie." said Rhoda, gently, ii. is a
pity we cannot have our ride"
Gum |" said Berthe.
"Bertie," said Rhnda again, 81 am SO
sorry | had valentine and you didn't
"Rhoda, I'll" began BERTHE, hut just
hen Rhoda ran across the street to a gem
,leman.
ooh, dear, it's Mr.. Brown said Berthe.
He watched Mr.. Brown open the letter, he
Jaw Mr.. Browns frown, and then heard
aim say something about s'No notice nom
sense! Speak to father" Then frownipg,
Mr. Brown walked back to the house, fol-
owed by Rhoda and Berthe
f'Did you mean to insult me, Mr.. Will
Tor" asked Mr. Brown, sending me
lilly verse like this and asking if had re-
;eived one?'
Verse;" said Mr.. Wilson, stverse3 /
ent you notice of meeting"
But Mr.. Brown passed him the paper.
On it was written In very tipsy letters:
1.-THE rose is red, the violet's blue,
Carnation g sweet, and so are you;
And SO are they thar send you this
And when we meet We'll have kiss
Mr.. Wilson seemed too astounded to say
.nything.
There's something written on the other
ide of the paper" said Rhoda.
Mr.. Wilson turned it, and there, on the
Jack, was the notice of the meeting.
There, he said, shat is what meant"
ssAnd that, SIR said Mr.. Brown, 'syou
viii see is week old if you look at the
ate. Some one has played You trick 2
ttRhoda, BERTHE, do you know anything
f this ." asked Mr. Wilson.
Rhoda shook her head, and Berthe
vhere was BERTHE?
Why, trying to hide behind the laurel
ush; but when Mr.. Wilson called Der
Ie, he came out.
It was easy to see that he was the cu1- ! !,