The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1897-02-19

decorated in the center by stiff.
starchy Gala lily. on the right of which
was pasted an infant Moses in bright
yellow basket On the left procession
of angels walked upon cmpty space, the
ladder having been beneath their feet.
for. as Mollie remarked: angels don't
need any ladder when they've got
WINGS"
At the bottom of the page. in Il care
fully disguised hand, was written:
When we are old wen smile and say
We had no care in childhoods day.
But they'll be wrong; twill be true.
I've this much care-I care for you.
As the twins. even if they could have
understood. were too busy smearing
themselves with paste to put in a ple:.
for Pete. Mollie hastily removed all
back the bolt and the rest of the Will
liamses. burning with curiosity. precipi-
tated themselves into the room to find
her calmly singing a lullaby to the as
tonished twins, who didn't look il bit
sleepy
The sun was up ut his usual time on
the morning of February II, but in the
Williams children were ahead of him:
for was it not Valentines day, and didn't
they each at least expect dozen?
Just where they thought these valen-
tines were to come from it would be
hard to tell, but with childish faith in an
indefinite ''somebody'' they were all
eager to begin collecting the expected
treasures.
Anything for the Williamscs?"
The postmaster of the thriving little
town was just opening up the Office and
was hardly ready for business, but he
looked good-naturedly at poor forlorn
jake, who made the inquiry.
ri w. vat
tributed."
About five minutes Inter another face
appeared at the little window.
''Anything for Pete Nillams?"
Nothing" rather shortly.
"Anythins for Mollie W'iliams:'
NO, bub; run alongisI M busy"
''Or fer Jake Williams -
NO, l tell you. Clear out"
The voice was so gruff that. not dar-
ing to ask for Nettic as he had intended.
Peter hurried out. and a few minutes
later slipped into his place at the table
where the Williams family were eating
their scanty breakfast:&
There was nothing" he reported,
and the Teller seemed real cross about
it," J
Presently Mollie stole out with some
thing concealed carefully under her
apron. and dropping the two valentines
into the letter box marched boldly to
the little window, knowing that now
there was something for the evil
liamses.'
However, the something was not ready
for distribution, but about half an hour
later Jake rushed up the rickcty wooden
stairs, shouting. cxcitedly::
Two valentines. one for me and one
for Nettie!''
Little 4-year-old Nettie was charmed
with the pity woses." but Jake eyed
his rather doubtfully and then gave voice
TO the dreadful suspicion:
'Mollie,. don't you think it looks sortcr
like it might be homemadc?''
Course. it isl said Mollie. Shows
how much she thinks of you. All the
tony folks makes EN- for each other
jake frightened up. DO you reckon
it was the little girl with yellow curls
and blue silk dress i'll our Sunday school
class?'
"Well now. wonder" said AIollie,
rather mcnda ciausly, and the homemade
valentine became III Jakie's eyes a price
less treasure.
Pete came home at noon proudly dis
playing comic daub representing a gro
tesque looking cobbler patching gigantic
shoe; for Pete was somehow supposed to
inherit his fathers trade, though his only
ability as to shoes had been directed to-
ward wearing them out.
The Williamses were feeling en-.
couraged, and well might the long-suffer-
ing postmaster wish they had lock box,
so often was he called On to answer the
now familiar inquiry. at last his pa
tience gave out.
mo, there's not anything for the Will
liamses and what's more there won't be;
so clear out the whole lot of you and
don't come back here any mOre'
Not come back any more! How. then.
We're they to get the rest of their valen-
tines? But. not daring to disobey they
hung detected about the postoffice door,
until about o'clock they saw "old cross
patch step across to the bank, leaving
his neWly-appOinted deputy in charge.
The bright boyish face did not look Il
bit cross, so Mollie seized the opportunity
to try once more.
"Anytbing for Miss AIollie Williams %
he repeated. Yes. l think there is.
Just come in on the afternoon train.
Miss Mary Williams?' that's the same
as Mollic. guess. You're i'll luck, little
girl.' and large .pasteboard box was
She was SO dazed by her good luck that
she forgot the rest of her family till re-
! minded by Il pathetic little voice to ASK
for Jake Williams
So she went through the whole roll,
but the boy assured her there was moth
ing else for the "Williamses,' and the
| whole crowd troopcd excitedly out of the
'i'~' "P 'lS '|'uiA" ttHu AHlO tic SlLlluS
| room.
Bring the scissors. quick!
Then ION! Oh! amt it perfectly love-
! ly! and truly the valentine DISPLAYED
might have pleased more artistic eyes.
\ soft, snowy border of swansdown
| surrounded q panel of ivory satin, on
which was painted an exquisite bunch of
pansies, caught together by tiny envel-
ope tied by bow of violet ribbon.
HWhat does tho wrifor ,sl-o<I
ing:
crockedy." said Mollie. 1T says, Here's
thoughts are Much Obliged whoever
| sent it,
Wonder if there's note in the little
invellup,' said Pete. snatching at the
'Don't touch it! Your hands are al
ways dirty" screamed Mollie, and the
| envelope was not disturbed
But that night, after the twins and
Nettie were asleep, and MOllie sat ,lp
| feasting her starved soul on the beauty Of
her valentine, Pete's question required to
her. ~
| Like. Bluebeard's wife. Molic found
her curiosity brought its own punishment,
as she satreading the note which dropped
from the tiny envelope NJ ! s@<sE Re-
= a'sMy Fear Little ~ ANiece@AIav the
thoughts these flowers bring. be the noble
thoughts that lead to kindly deeds, is the
wish Of your loving Aunt Mary"
I Aunt Mary! And Mollie had no aunt