The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1905-02-09
TWO VALENTINES.
IRMA B. MATTHEWS.
THINK" said Clyde HOLSTER,

M Il N. L,
"there is not another boy in the Unit
q ed States as mean as Roger Wilcox"
He said it rather defiantly and then
looked up to see what answer his mother
might make.
WELL" said she. what has Roger
done TO be called the worst boy in the
United States? That is an ugly charge,
my SON.
why. mamma, he cheated to-day
when we were playing marbles and took
one of mine that he had no right to, and
when / told him of it he got mad and
called me names.
Clyde's eyes were flashing.
Did you tell him kindly, or did you
twit him of it? What did you do when
he called you namesT
Clyde hung his head. The memory of
what he had done somehow did not seem
so nice when he came to tell about it.
''I-why. mamma, l called back some;
but he began it."
Were you sure, dear? Cheating is
not a nice thing TO accuse friend Of.
You should be very careful"
Mrs. HOLSTER sighed. She knew her
boy had quick temper. and now it SEEM
ed likely to get him into trouble. As
the weeks ran along and no more was
heard about the trouble, she began to
hope it had been dropped, when one night
Clyde came home and breathlessly de-
clared he should never speak to Roger
again.
Another quarrel. my sOnT
II never did like him; he is so mean:
and tonight he had to mark my spelling
lesSOn-yOu know the teacher has us
mark each others lesson-and he an
swered imperfect for me, and 1 know
l had all of the words right"
But he was mistaken, perhaps. or you
were. Did you ask him about it?'
Eyes: and he said that l spelled cater
pillar with an Il instead of an 'e.'
know did not, and know he just did it
to get the prize, and l told him So"
Mrs. HOLSTER was distressed, and the
next evening when he brought home one
of the meanest of peAny valentines she
thought the time had come for her to act
She talked seriously with him, and tried
to show him how wicked such a spirit
was.
IF you will treat Roger we'll. he will
you; and if he does not, you will have
the consciousness of doing good act
If were you l would send him a pretty
valentine and see what the effect will be-
Never be guilty of sending such thing
as that"
1t took some time to convince him, but
at last Clyde consented to do as his
mother advised, and they went together
to select the valentine. 1t was very
dainty, covered with lace and flowers,
and bore the following words:
Friendship is half human, half divine.
1 wish that you were true friend of
mine.
l fain would clasp thy hand and say:
Friends now, henceforward and for
aye"
There" said Clyde. "now we will see,
mamma. who is right, you or l."
The next day was Valentines day and
in the evening Clyde came in with flush
ed cheeks. Holding up valentine he ex-
claimed: There, mamma! There is the
kind of boy you wanted me to be
friends with
His mother looked at the cheap, gaudy
picture and answered: THAT is only
what my own boy wanted me to allow
him to do; and you must remember, my
dear. that Roger has no mamma to tell
him better" she said gently.
Clyde did not speak for minute, then
he said: II did not think how it would
look to him. l will never send one to
anyone, mamma, never. 1t makes you
feel so mean to get it."
He had just finished speaking when
there came a rap at the door and Roger
entered.
1T is too mean" he exclaimed, as he
saw the valentine still in Clyde's hand.
Il have been mean all of the time, but
never meant it, and then when / got this
valentine never got a pretty one since
mamma died"
The young voice broke and tears
sprang to the bright dark eyes.
Never mind" SAID Clyde. Oh, how
glad he was that he had not sent the
motherless boy the valentine he had in
tended.
Twill you be friends with meY' asked
Roger as he held out his hand.
"Henceforward and for aye" said
Clyde heartily as he clasped it-and they
were