The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-02-12
The VALENTINE BOX.
Mt HARRIET z. rouLKl.
60 HE last signal had sounded. as
Esther Gray came out of the school

90 HE last signal had sounded. as
Esther Gray came out of the school
x house and walked slowly down the
street. No one would ever have guessed
about what this demure little girl was
thinking, for she gave no sign, and she
had way of keeping her thoughts to
herself.
Il 60 wish somebody knew how much
l want one!' she murmured. "One made
Of pretty lace paper, with red roses and
gilt, With a verse OH the leaf inside. just
like Jeanie Bly, got last year" and the
girls eyes kindled at the remembrance.
Esther never teased for things, and
was SO gentle and quiet that no one
seemed to think she ever wanted any
thing she didn't have. Last year her
friend Jcanie had SO many valentines
she didn't knew what to do with them
but Esther Lad never had one in her
life. Tomorrow there was to be val
entine bog at school, and she dreaded
lest sho might he the only one forgotten.
''I'm almost sure everybody will get
one except me-" she said with a sigh.
Esther! Esther:" rang a CHEEKY voice,
and, turning. she saw her friend Jeanic
What chase you have given me-" she
cried. flushed ard painting. This is the
third time I've called you"
''Why. didn't lear you," said Es-
thcr in surprise. Il supposed you had
gone home long ago; l stayed to get my
problems.
You don't catch me working after
school," said Jeanie. "I'vc been down TO
the store buying valentines for to-mor-
row.
Il wish l had something to put in,
too said Esther, wistfully
BY this Time they had reached the
gate. and Esther babe her friend good
bye.
BE sure to come to school to-mor-
row." called Jeanie, as she turned the
corner and danced away.
That night Esther told her mother all
about the box, and how the pupils were
going TO give valentines to their little
school friends. Mrs. Gray did not have
money to give her daughter for such
presents. hut when she saw how much
Esther wished TO do something, she cut
the lace paper from some Christmas can
dy boxes. brought out n box of pretty
pictures and made cup of paste.
Now, Esther" she said, ''here is all
you need. You can make your own
valentines
So Esther set to work with will.
She put her fancy paper on the edge
and made border of roses which she
cut from the pictures. In the center of
each she pasted little gilt heart. and
on the ether side she wrote her verses.
She remembered some that were ON
Janie's the year before, and this is what
she wrote:
when you this valentine receive,
] pray you in my love believe"
On the second:
"l'll give loving heart to thee,
II thou my valentine will be-"
But on Jeanie's she wrote the pret.iest
verse of all:
IF you've a corner in your heart,
One little corner unemployed,
Pray, darling, pray set it apart,
And let me in TO fill the void"
Tier at the corners she printed the
words. Forget me not" Truly thine,'
Loves offering" Faithful and true"
When she had finished she brought them
for her mother to see.
''They arcr very pretty, Esther; I'm
sure anyone would be glad TO get them;
but '.lIo are yOI going to give them to-"
Esther east down her eyes
The prat:icst one is for Jeanie." said
she. "and | think I'll give the others to
the two E.tl,. girls that started in school
the other week. and, with 4 goodnight
kiss. Esther sea. upstairs.
The mex. day the school room was in a
buzz of excitement. Even Miss Brown
couldn't Keep the scholars very quiet as
the hour drew near to open the box.
which was So fu;l Of valentines that the
corners Of the envelopes pceped ont. At
last the signal sounded for putting away
books, and there was 10 tagging behind
for second orders.
"Now. children" said Miss Brown, II
propose that we choose postmistress to
call of the valentines as l hand them
ont; +! will pass papers for your votes"
How eac:, heart beat as the papers
were passed around Esther wrote
"Jeanie" on her little strip and folded
it carefully that none might see. Then
she lookc,! down and tried not to want
To he the chosen one When the votes
were counted TIE CHOICE fell on Jeanne
BLY,. and in gay spirits she came forward
and took !.cr place by the teachers side.
There were large envelopes and small
ones. white envelopes and yellow. pretty
valentines aal comic ones handed out to
tie merry crowd. The whole school
seemed hririmins over with delight. Even