The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1895-02-13
HE EARNED IT.
A VALENTINE STORY.

AvALESrINE STORY.
Oh, but those wero Jolly February days,
oil shine and snow and jinRlcnnd bells
that Is, for most people. To Laddie 1t
was rather gloomy, though he saw tho sun
shine and tho snow sparkle aud heard tho
sleigh bells tinkle, as everybody did. But
Latldie was n little fcllow--ycry little for
z ycars-and no 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 1t
was o very hard time for poor Laddlc, as
you may imagine. He waited OH mamma
quito checrf,lIy, however, and oven helped
Hannah, the woman who camo now and
then to do tho heavy houscwork, with good
grace, but still there wcro many empty
hours and some very sad ones.
Mammals headache seemed to grow
worse, instead of better, Us tho days went
by, and often he saw her crying quietly.
He knew then that she was thinking of
papa, for sho always cried when she
thought or spoke Of him. Papa had gone
away in big ship somewhere, long ago,
when Laddie WAS baby. and the ship had
been wrecked, and he never ca1nc buck.
Laddic often asked If there was no hope OF
his ever coming, but mamma looked so
sorry when she said, I'm afraid not lit
tie one, )" that he had about given up try
ing to find out any more.
Ono day, it was the 18th day Of this
sparkling February, Hannah sent Laddic
down town on an GRAND, and he gayly sot
of, glad Of eny chance to bo out, II only
for short time AS he passed tho gay
shops no eagcrly looked at tho bright pio-
lures their windows presented, wishing he
were rich enough to buy some Of tho love-
~ things for mamma.
His cheeks burned with excitement as
be looked at the gay pictures and thought
how surprised and glad his mamma would
be II he should scnd her one.
Without stopping to remember TINT he
owned only three pennies In the world,
and that money was scarce at homo, he be-
gan trying to decide which ono Of tho val.
entinos would he most appropriate for his
sweetheart mamma. Finally no chose one
which had blue background, with Cupid
riding across 1t on q rose colorcd cloud.
The card was framed with plush border
and would look very rich on mammals
mantclshelf. So In no walked boldly and
said to the cl0rk ncar the door:
''How much Is that blue valentine"
Five dollars," answered the clerk,
with o queer smile at the small, rather
shabby, figure before him. The smile
changed to a look of pity, however, as he
saw Laddio's eyes Oil with tears. He put
his hand OH tho little follows shoulder
and said, s:See here, my boy, there are
some tefy pretty valentines on this shclf
for 80 CENTS and hero are some nice ones
for only S."
Laddih frightened and then began
choosing among the cheaper ones until
he remembered that oven 25 cents was q
large amount when ones cntiro fortune
consisted Of 8 coppcrs. Ho suddenly locked
up and said:
"a follow couldn't earn 8: cents be-
tween now and tomorrow, could her"
why, I dare soy he might by trying
hard" answered the clerk cheerfully.
There's quite good bit to DO earned
sometimes BY carrying peoples satchels
from the station"
So quite hopefully our little man sped
away in the direction Of tho Western sta
tion. As he ncnrcd the pIaco he saw that
the trsin had already como in, for num-
bcrs 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 rs he saw big, good
naturcd looking fellow carrying q small
valisc, he accostcd him eagerly:
Don't you want me to carry your bag
gage, sir, pleases"
The man looked down at the bit OF hu-
mainly before him and then at his valise.
Thcn no laughed long and loud, shaking
SO that Laldie felt as though IN earth
quake wero CONFUSING the pavement be-
meath him. At last the man found breath
to say:
"wcll, little fellow, don't see that I
need much help with this thinbleful Of
baggage, but that man who has just
passed has a lot to carry. Maybe he'll
hiro you"
Before tho sentence was finished of
darted the boy 80 fast TINT he overlook the
heavily laden traveller and fairly tangled
himself In the, long overcoat as he said:
'.Will you 1case let me carry this big
gest satcheli III do it chcapl'
This man did not lnugh-at least not
aloud-and Laddic felt encouraged, though,
the satchel looked rather formidable.
well, well, youngstcr," said the
stranger, you don't look Us though you
could manage such q heavy load, but you
may take this smaller bundle, il you can
carry 1t as far ns Central hotel, for I'm in
o good deal Of hurry"
Laddie hesitatcd. Would you pay
moro for the big satchels" he asked.
This time the now man did laugh and
sold pleasantly, mo; carry the small one,
and I'll pay you whatever you ask.
Whatever you ask!" Could 1t be posi-
blei Then he could get the whole sum at
oncei 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 brayely along:
Would 20 cents be too muchf"
"Well, that's rather queer sum, but
think can stand it. Why don't you
make it an even quarter, thought"
Then Laldle told all about his valentine
plan, and tho cents already in his pocket,
and tho 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 Laddio stopped
to take breath, be said:
why don't you ,sk your papa for thu
! moncvff'