The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-24
Spithre Ann.

"a Story for st. Valentine's-Day)
81 think it's real mean" and Harry
flung himself on a chair with an ugly
scowl on his face.
who's real inean, Harry?" asked Sis
ter Hetty, from her couch. whore she had
lain ever since Harry could remember.
Somehow no one could show their worst
side to Hetty, she was so good YOU felt
ashamed of any wicked feelings, so Harry
did not like 10 say Mother and an
swered, little more pleasantly, Il sup
pose she knows best. but it would have
been such lark. You know 0ll Spitfre
Ann, down by the school-lvc told you
how she acts to us boys Some of us
fellows were going TO her we'll where
she's hung a leg of mutton tied up in
bag, and we were going TO take 1t out
and nil the bag with wood and put in
valentine we've bought-such funny pic
ture of an old scold. We'd give her
back the mutton after a day or two"
The last words were added in a rather
shamefaced tone Somehow the fun
didn't show for so much as he told the
plan to Hetty She said nothing. Harry
began to feel thoroughly uncomfortable.
At last HeCty spoke:. IT'S a shame you
can't have some fun on Valentine s-Day.
Perhaps, tho, L could think up trick
Mother'd let you play on Ann. Suppose
you bring Jim Hunt up here after school,
and I'll have a scheme ready"
"Whew" Harry exclaimed, under his
breath. What had come over Sister
Hetty? He began TO feel more ashamed
than ever; but just then a boy signaled
for him to go to school, and giving Hetty
a kiss, he rushed off.
Hetty lay very still for awhile, then
her face Frightened. "That'H do" she
said to herself, and felt ready for the
boys.
After school Harry came up with
big apple that some one had sent to Het
ty-the children often sent her things.
"Well. I've got a splendid idea for pay
ing off Spitire," said Hetty.
"Why, sister," exclaimed Harry.
"Well, what's the matter?' asked
Hetty.
you never call names"
'Oh, but you do; I'm just following
your example," said Hetty; but seeing
Harry's shocked face, she added, quick
ly; 81 only said IL to show you how it
sounded. I'm sure when you and jim
hear what Aunt Sue told me last night
about Ann Brown. you'll like my plan
ever so much. All, there's JIM know
hi whistle"
In a moment Jim IIunt-a boy whom
most mothers refused to have around
because he was not polished as they
wished--came awkYardly into the room.
lie soon forgot his shyness i'm telling all
about a queer plant Hetty had in a sau-
Ger and knew nothing about. After he
was thoroughly at home, Hetty said:
"An1 now for my scheme about Ann
Brown"
"Oh, Miss Hetty, guess we don't want
to- after ALL" said Jim. "She's an awful
cross old thing, but well let her
be-"
II never knew till yesterday all she
had suffered" said Hetty. Aunt Sue
was here and she lives in the town Ann
lived in before she came here She says
Ann was a pleasant young woman when
she knew her. She had not a happy
home, for her father drank, but she
taught school and was to be married to
a bright young fellow-a carpenter. Just
two days before the wedding he fell from
the scaffolding and was picked up dead.
Ann kept right on teaching saying moth
ing, but soon fell i'll. She was in the
hospital for long time, and when she
came out she was too nervous to teach.
She went out sewing, and when an uncle
died and left her the little house she
lives in. she moved here; but she has
made no friends and seems very ner-
vous and cross"
81 don't wonder" said jim; huff to
make her"
IL was thinking you might surprise her
by some kindness that wound comfort
her. Suppose you boys slipped in her
woodshed while she's out sewing-you
know she's often out for the day--and
sawed and split her wood; or you might
get together come things that would 80
nicely with that leg of mutton-sweet.
potatoes and turnips, and perhaps mother
could spare a glass of currant Jelly. You
might pile up the things against the
door. and put a card on top, with a
Valentine from the schoolbOys' on it,
How would that do?'
"Prime! exclaimed Harry, and jim
agreed to join in the plan.
They had a week to work in, and most