The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1893-02-23

won't yerl don't want to go down
there just to carry it,"
Gan right" Lem answered, as he
dropped the letter into his coat pocket.
And as he rode off he called back: "You
better get home soon's you car. It's
goin' to rain"
The last words reached the teachers
ear where she stood under the elm, and
she turned to re.enter the school-room.
Dick had just time to regain his sea.,
tossing the second letter on her desk as
he skipped past, for there was no time
To place it inside, where she would have
found 1T before leaving school.
Unfortunately he missed his aim and
the envelope fell to the floor behind the
teachers seat, where it attracted her at.
tention as she entered.
She picked it up, read the address,
and holding it up said quietly:
"Boys, do you know anything about
this letter1 1t is addressed to tho minis.
ter. Mr.. Deane.'
A quick glance Of dismay was ex-
changed between the two. They had
HlNlu ls'Il luC WRONG lttlCI.
Both answered, boldly:
Nom"
She placed tue missive on her desk
No doubt it had been entrusted to one
of the children, who had forgotten it,
but she would see that it reached Mr..
Deauc that evening.
Then she called the two boys before
her.
81 hope that you know your lessons
now,' she said, "Lnd will be able to
answer promptly. DicS, | will begin
with you. Who surrendered at York
town, in Vi-5inial'
"Gen'ral Washntor," responded
DicS, boldly.
The teachers smooth brow con-
tracted, but she made no comment, and
gave him one more chance.
"To whom was the surrender mader
There was a momentary puzzled con
sideratlou, and then came the trl.
umphant reply
"Napol'au Bonypartl"
Miss Kate closed the book and turned
TO her other pupil.
"Iimothy, what arc the three large
cities in the United States"
"New York, Lunnon aud-Brazilv
Again the book was closed; but be .
fore word could be spoken the eyes OF
both teacher and pupils were turned
toward the open door.
A gig had stopped at the gate, and a
good.looking young man, in clerical
dress, was walking briskly toward the
school house.
Miss Kate arose and went slowly to
learn his errind at the door, for she had
no idea OF inviting him to enter. 1t was
only when she saw big drops of rain
patterlng upon his shoulders that she
said, reluctantly:
"wnl you come IN, Mr.. Deane, OUT
OF the RANT"
lie stepped within and drew letter
from his breast pocket.
~ had no intention OF intruiiny," he
said, pleasantly, "but merely desired to
deliver this letter, which was handed me
few moments since by LemueI Miller,
whom | met on the road. There seems
to have been some mistake, as it is al.
dressed to Miss Kate Morrison.
"S.range" kI,e said. And here is
one which just now found directed to
yourself"
The two boys, unnoticed by the teach
er, began siding toward the door.
She hastily opened the letter just
given her, aud the minister did the same
with his. AS their siynt was greeted by
the gorgeous llluminations o. hearts and
roses, each glaaced up, aud their eyes
meeting, both laughed. rhe laugh
seemed to take away from the Stiffness
between them.
"l had forgotten said the minister,
"that this is st. Valentines Day. But
it seems that boys never forget the occa.
SION
Aud he looked toward the two cul
prits near the door.
Kate glanced at the name scrawled
beneath the printed lines on the paper.
lie cheek flushed and she said. hastily :
"ir. De ne, IS my name inscribed
/ upon that work OF art in your haudf
"Yes. And presume that you ask
because you find NY own name upon
yoursl You eau see Il is, il you like.
You will ind the poetry worthy of the
artistic design"
She took 1t, and read:
"lf you will DO my Valentine,
Our lives with hap Iiness will shine
Like June.bugs on pump Kin vinei
"-dISs KATE MORRISON"
''IIow absurdl" said Kate, with
mixture OF indignation ani amusement.
Mr.. Deane smiled.
''I should like to know with what
poetic sentiment they have credited me
May sect"
IL haven't read it," she answered, as
she handed him the paper.
He read aloud:
'If you love me as love the,
Your faithful lover | will be,
And long as this years stars do shine
win cain you for my Valentine,
"REvERENr MISTER FRANK DEEM"
"What wretched jokel" Kate ex