Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-02-09

While he was eating the maid-ot-all-
work started on her cleaning tour, and
with the proverbial aeuteness that
enables members of her ilk to detect
anything save dirt or disorder, the two
forgotten valentines, in their white
were the first things to at
tract her attention.
As they had not been sealed, 1t was
but n few seconds until she vas mirth-
fully regarding the rival musicians of
the one, and ~feasting her eyes upon
the prodigal collection of love tokens
contained in the other.
She had scarcely time, on hearing APP
preaching footsteps, to return the val
entines to the wrappers, unconsciously
| changing them in her haste, and take
up her broom with as innocent an ex-
preston as the occasion demanded,
when Mr.. Podd hurriedly entered,
picked up the envelopes, sealed them,
and thrust them into his pocket, to-
tally ignorant of the exchange which
had been made.
That evening after business Mr.. Podd
sought the nearest tonsorial artist, un-
der whose especial care he placed him
self for the next half hour, then he
wendell his happy way to the abode Of
his souls ideal.
Imagine the CONSERVATION OF the
hapless Mr.. Podd, who, on presenting
| himself to the fair Miss Melinda, Sc
cure in the expectation of a cordial
greeting-nay, perhaps a tender one
found himself met with chilling scorn,
while that young lady dramatically
waved him hence.
"Begone! you villain" she wrathfully
exclaimed, in true stage p%arlance, and
with another tragic wav of her hand.
why, Miss Melinda" began the as
founded Mr.. Podd.
"Don't Miss Melinda me, you base
hypocrite, your screamed the young
lady, allowing her temper to overcome
her prediction for heroics.
Great Jupiter. Ny dear Miss Me-
linda" stammered the unfortunate
Mr., Podd.
Co.. cried Miss Melinda, in still
shriller tones. Must | have you
elected from this apartment? Mari
she added, opening the door leading
into the back room, here is this 4
temptible puppy, Podd."
Has he come back here agin?' and
the irate mother appeared upon the
scene, Maybe he come to see if your
cat still out-squalled you" she said in
harsh and sarcastic tones, AS she con-
fronted the bewildered victim of their
joint accusations.
'Or to have my voice remind him of a
file on Il crosS-cut saw rejoined
the daughter with a little hysterical
sob. 30, mar! drive him away. l
can't bear the sight o him
"My child. don't let such a misera-
bic creature disturb YOU" said the
mother, soothinFly; then, pointing to
the outer door, said:
Get right out o here, an don't put
your foot nigh this house ag'in. i'll was
a man I'd learn you how to insult UNI
pEDltcltN ldNlltN, SIG ulNth, as a pdlt-
ing injunction when Mr., Podd, with
his hand pressed to his head in a dazed
sort of way, turned and fled into the
darkness.
An hour or two afterward, as he
stole dejectedly into his lodgings he
met at the door his landlady's daugh-
ter, who had his sentimental valentine
in her hand, and beamed upon him a
happy smile,
'0h, Mr., Podd.' she tenderly ex-
claimed, ''how can | ever thank you
for this too awfully lovely valentine?
I've been watehin' for you ever since
supper. Do come into the parlor,
where there is a nice warm fire an
things look cozy.'
Poor Mr.. PoGd! lie muttered some
thing about being consumed by a rag
ing headache, and declining all prof
fered remedies he went hastily to his
room, where, locking himself securely
within, he gave up fully to the anguish
CT the hour.
1t is a cause for little wonder, there
fore, that any alluSion to st. Valen-
tines day now causesa deep depression
to settle on his once susceptible heart
and a chill to pervade his sensitive
being.-Detroit Free Press.