River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-02-07

on account of the e-.ca pness of bed and
board and also on the score that. ow-
ing to the undisguised partially of the
landlady's daughter for this particular
bOarder the mother was more lenient
in collecting his arrears and more in-
dulgent IN many Of the minor workings
of the csta blishment. including choice
morsels AZ the table and a thoughtful
supervision of his wardrobe and room.
Owing 10 these several advantages
he fingered on, yet refused Ia allow his
perverted heart TO be softened 10y the
Establishments of the daughter more
than was essential to his own com
fort and convenience as a privileged
bOarder.
When he wished an extension of
credit or - secure some especial favor
Mr. POdd vas wont 10 escort his land
lady's da lighter, in whose fashioning
nature had neglected to include any
eomeIiness, to same place of worship or
TO an entertainment where the price Of
admission was IN i moderate. suffer-
ing untold anxiety the while lest the
Odious Tom Jones should he basking
in the sunlight Of Miss MelinGa's pres
ence durir 2 this voluntary exile on his
part.
Mr.. Podd's finances were slowly re-
covering from the severe drain 10
which they had been subjected during
the Christmas. February he was walk
ing leisurely from business towards his
lodgings, calculating a method by
which l. might be able to pay some
bills. long since due, yet retain a sufii-
cient surplus 70 treat the fair Melinda
- a sleigh ride. rec1lessly promised at
a time when the weather gave strong
and almost certain indications If verg-
ing into balmy spring. while. with a
perversity ku Jwn IN no other thing
save women, it now gave as positive
evidence'of "a speedy fall of snow.
As lac passed down the street his 1T
tention was Dir avn TO 4 crowd gathered
before q st4tiCner's WiudOw.and promi-
nent among them was the ever Obnox-
iOus Tom Jones. g,hO, with the others,
was absorbed in the contemplation of
a display OF valentines.
At once the green-eycd monster sug-
gested the idea that this exasperating
rival was even then engaged in select
ing one of those dainty missives by
means of which he might convey to the
object of their common admiration an
accurate state Of his feelings, and Mr..
POdd at once decided o.. adopting SIM
liar mea sures in an avowal of the pas
sion hat alike consumed his soul and
salary.
Now. il would seem that from a we'll
stocked assortment Of valentines, one
might readily make a selection, but
S!r- Podd found a difficult task.
Many Of these dainty messengers APP
peared too cold and Indifferent to suit
the critical taste Of this customer;
others We're of too obscure a nature to
portray the proper intensity Of emo
ton that stirred the profound depths
Of Mr.. Podds soul.
Finally he chose one, in which arrow
pierced hearts and very fat ,upids-
who were evidently IN the same plight
rs Flora McFlimsey - togethel' with
cOngeEial doves. clasped hands, mot
toes OF truth. fidelit,. conStancy and
devotion, with other symbols repre-
senting Il harmonious state OF affairs
generally. were scattered p-odigally
over giided paper in iiligree design.
Added to this was an amatory sonnet
wherein dove, love, bliss, kiss, etc.
We're worked up I'm several lines Of
choicest machine poetry, while the
I finale was suggestive sketch of a de
voted couple before an altar. and oflici
ating clergyman, with an Their fat Gu
Il
highly contcnted expression and
nothing else.
Is Mr. PodG turned to go his eyes
fell on pile Of co-'-ic valentines which
. lay near.