The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-02-26
CADDIE'S SUITORS.

"A valentine Ter ye, Cad, sure's
you're foot high !"
Farmer Benbow came bustling into
the kitchen with a market. basket full
OF brown paper packages on his arm.
an agricultural paper sticking out of
his pocket and huge, square white
envelope in his hand, directed to
"Miss Caddie Benbow" in sprawling,
rather awkward writing.
An innocent-lo ooking maid of eigh-
teen years of age came out of the
pantry, with very pink cheeks, and
received the document in little hut-
ter; but her face fell as she noted the
handwriting
"That's from Jud Pitcher-it's his
writing" she SAID, with tone of dis
appointment in her voice.
San you needn'tto snurl up your
nose eff tits, young lady," return ed
her father, with emphasis. "You
ort to be proud to hcv him send you a
valentime-a feller like Jud, that $
got lots OF good land j'inin' ourn, to
say nothin of mules dn'sich. Now
open it, an don't be a-stannin' still
there a-stndyin' about that there Jim
Page that's allus a.han9in' round ye."
"Yes, open it, honey" said good
Mrs. Benbow, bustling from her
churning, while Miss Sue Benbow, the
elder daughter, and Mrs. John Bau-
bow, the daug also crowded
up to see Caddie's "yalentine."
With huttering fingers, the young
lady opened the envelope, and drew
forth a wonderful combination of
hearts and arrows, Cupids and roses,
and some sentimental verses, purport-
ing to lay the treasures of the sender's
heart and hand at the feet of the love-
ly recipient.
San it means something" said
Mrs. John Benbow, with solemn con-
viction.
"Of course it does" said Miss Sue,
who being herself comfortably en-
gagged, had plenty of time to devote to
Caddie's little love affairs. "Its good
as an offer.
''But-.but don't think l want Jud
Pitcher to make me an Offer" faltered
Caddie, her pretty mouth taking a
plaintive curve.
eyes, you do, miss" interrupted
her father, briskly; ""n' you'll take it
too, ef that's what it means"
"Oh, yes, honey, dor besought her
mother, whose policy was always to
coax people into any disagreeable
task, from taking a dose of quiniue TO
accepting an unwelcome suitor. 81
think Jud's real nice, so tall and kind
of slick !"
"You ought at least to send him a
valentine in return, Caddie," said Mrs.
John.
"He wouldn't get it today" MUIR
INJURED Caddie. "It's too late now. "
THAT don't make any difference
put in Miss Sne. "You can send 'em
any time during the month"
"An' of it's the thing to send a Val
tine in answer to his'n, that's what
you'll do Cad," said Mr.. Benbow
biuntly, can n slap-up one too ef i
costs tollarW
~ think it's all right aud proper to
send it any time this month" argue,
Miss Sue wrinkling her square fore
head thoughtfully. 'But to maxi
sure III ask Miss Atherton when sh,
comes tomorrow for the setting o
guinea eggs I've been saving up TO
her. She'll know what's what"
Aud Miss Atherton the village heir
ass and antocrut, when the question
was submitted to her, detected Low
story at once, with pretty Cadlie, he
her especial subject of admiration, TO
heroine, aud at once fell good-natur
edly nto the family views.
"Of course it will be all right t
send one," she said, smiling ut Cad
die, who was bIushing shyly and III
comfortably in corner. "and I'll to
you what III do; I'm going into tow
this very day. and I'll pick you OF