The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1895-02-13
HE EARNED 1T.
A VALENTINE STORY.


all shine and snow and Jingle and bells
that is, for most people. To Laddio It
was rather gloomy, though he saw the sun
lhine and tho snow sparkle and heard the
sleigh bells tinkle, as everybody did. But
Laddie was a little fellow-vory little for
years--and he hadn't many ways Of
amusing himself when shut up in tho
house, especially when mamma was too
weak and tired to read TO him or invent
games. This was the case now, and IL
was avery hnrtl time for poor Laddie, as
you may imagine He waited on mamma
quite cheerfully, however, and even helped
Hannah, the woman who came now and
then to do the heavy homework, with good
grace, but still there were many empty
hours and some very sad ones.
Mammals headache seemed to grow
worse, instead of better, as the days went
by, and often he saw her crying quietly.
He knew then that she was thinking Of
papa, for she always cried when she
thought or spoke of him. Papa had gone
away in big ship somewhere, long ago,
when Laddie was n baby, and the ship had
been wrecked, ana he never came back.
Laddie often asked If there was no hope Of
his ever coming, but mamma looked so
sorry when she said, Pm afraid not, lit
ing to find out any more.
One day, 1t was the 18th day of this
sparkling February, Hannah sent Laddie
down town on an errnnd, and he gayly set
off, glad of any chance to DO out, If only
for short time. As he passed the gay
shops he eagerly looked at tho bright pic
lures their windows presented, wishing he
were rich enough to buy some of the love
ly things for mamma.
His checks burned with excitement as
he looked at tho gay pictures and thought
how surprised and glad his mamma would
be If he should send her one.
Without stopping to remember that he
owned only three pennies In the world,
and that money was scarce at home, he be-
gan trying to decide which one Of the vala
entines would be most appropriate for his
sweetheart mamma. Finally ho chose one
which had q blue background with Cupid
riding across Ii on rose colorod cloud
The card was framed with plush border
and would look very rich on mammals
mantelshelf So in he walked boldly and
said to the clerk near the door;
"IIow much ia that blue valentinef"
Five dollars answered tho clerk,
with a queer smile at the small, rather
shabby, figure before him. The smile
changed to look of pity, however, as he
saw Luddio's eyes fill with tears. Ho put
his hand on the little fellows shoulder
and said, See here, my boy, there are
some very pretty valentipes on this shelf
for 90 cents, and here arc some nice ones
for only 25.
Laddie frightened and then began
choosing among the cheaper ones until
he remembered that even 20 cents was
large amount when ones entire fortune
consisted of coppers. He suddenly looked
up and said:
"A fellow couldn't earn 22 cents be-
tween now and tomorrow, could heH"
"Why, dare say he might by trying
hard" answered tho clerk cheerfully.
"There's quite good bit to bo earned
sometimes by carrying peoples satchels
from the station"
. So quite hopefully our little man sped
away in the direction of the Western sta
ton. AS he neared the place he saw that
the train had already come in, for num-
bers of people were hurrying toward town
In carriages or on foot. Very few of the
latter, however, appeared TO have much to
carry, and at first there seemed no chance
of getting job But as he saw big, good
natured looking fellow carrying a small
Don't you want me to carry your bag
gage, sir, pleaseY'
The man looked down at the bit of hui
manity before him and then at his valise.
Then he laughed long and loud, shaking
SO that Laddie felt as though an earth
quake were CONFUSING the pavement be-
meath him. At last the man found breath
to say:
well, little fellow, don't see that
need much help with this thimbleful of
baggage but that man who has just
passed has lot to carry. Maybe holl
hire you"
Before tho sentence was finished off
darted the boy SO fast that he overlook tho
heavily laden traveller and fairly tangled
himself in the long overcoat as he snid:.
"Will you please let me carry this big.
gest satchelf I'll do 1t chcapp
This man did not laugh-at least not
aloud-and Laddie felt encouraged, though
the satchel looked rather formidable.
well, we'll, youngster," said the
stranger, you don't look as though you
could manage such heavy load, but you
may take this smaller bundle, II you can
carry IL as far as Central hotel, for Pm in
good deal Of a hurry"
Laddie hesitatcd. Would you pay
moro for the big satchelP' he asked
This time the now man did laugh and
said pleasantly, No; carry the small one,
and Ill pay you whatever you ask. "
whatever you ask" Could 1t be posi-
ble' Then he could get the whole sum at
oncel But no. Perhaps this would seem
too much to pay 'Twould do no harm to
ask, however, so he said, taking the bun
die and trudging bravely along;
"Would 22 cents be too muchP
"Well, that's rather queer sum, but l
think l can stand It, Why don't you
make 1t an even quarter thought"
Then I.addio told all about his valentine
plan, and the cents already In his pocket,
and the pretty card at the book store
which could be bought for quarter. The
gentleman was very much interested and
watched his little companion closely as he
went on At last when Liddle stopped
TO take breath, be said:
why don't you ask your papa for the
money!
Cause papa isn't here, He never was
here since | can remember, and l don't
know II he's dead or not, but mamma al
ways cries when she tells about him.
The gentleman stopped suddenly, and
looking eagerly into Laddie's upturnod
face asked one moro question;
What Is your namei"
Mamma calls mo Laddie, but my real
nme Is Lawrence Raymond That was
papa's namo. i"
Down went the load OF bundles on the
navau,ant and nddta found himaolf