The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1906-02-09
Mary AIMS
Valentine ~
BY Nay c. EiDgwalt.

dow with its marvellous display OF
every kind OF valentine His eyes
twinkled with glee as he gazed upon
thrilling line OF comics"
Gee whiz," excltedly murmured
Bob. thrusting his hands into his trou-
sers pockets. Then his eyes lifted
to higher things and his heart strings
frightened with positive awe In the
center OF the window, suspen ded by
gilt cord. swung creation OF pink
celluloid paper lace. blue forget-me-
nots and green sparrows. II only he
could buy il for Mary Ann. His
breath came and went in little gasps
On scroll miraculously issuing from
the mouth OF one OF the green spar
rows were two lines Of gilt lettering
''As sure as The vine grows round the stump
You are my own dear sugar lump
lie gave an ecstatic whistle Even
the hard heart OF Mary Ann-who
scOrnfuly winked the tip OF her nose
al his most adoring glanees
not possibly withstand poetry like
that, He entered the shop
He came out with a crestfallen air
and dropping spirits. The pink Gel
luloid valentine was so cents, and poor
Bob had only a nickel, lie glared in
az the window and then turned an
sriiy away. walking slowly up the
street. his dirty little forehead puck
cred in thought.
Had he only remembered in time
that this was Valentine day he might
have saved up enough pennies for
even so dazzling an extravaganza as
the celluloid dream OF beauty But
how could he iEstantsneously earn so
vast a sum? The holidays with their
snapshot opportunities 10 run errands
we're passed. and now instead OF there
being q lucky blizzard with a Jolly
lot OF sidewalks 10 sweep this four
teenth ~ February. the air was as
balmy Is Mays if spring had sent
a breath Of her flowers TO old winter
for a valentine
Bob glanced a. a clock. II was too
early 10 20 for his evening papers
He turned mp the alley leading to the
~GrottO. For the first time in the
last proud three months he was al
most sorry that the gang had taken
him in or course. after sleeping on
shed roofs and burrowing under
wharfs. fellow lived like a swell in
a fine cellar. bat when ne had paid
Freckles-the gangs ten-year-OId bust
ness manager-for his bunk. and con
tributed his share Of the daily grub.
his regular income" was always ex-
kausted. II only there could be some
sensation in that afternoons edition.
Mary Ann might still-Bob's thoughts
we're abruptly interrupted by a cats
piaintive cry.
Hello there," exclaimed Bob.
Where in the world did you come
FROM" He stopped and stealthily
stroked the rough fur OF forlorn
kitten who had appeared as mysteri-
ously as though a trapdoor had sud
denly opened in the ground for her
special accommodation. you are a
beaut," laughed Bob. lust ought to
see your ribs, Looks as IL you been
living on wash boards all winter
What are you following ne for Take
me for the avenue swell whose father
keeps a dairy?"
Meow Meow" The halfstaryed
kitten timidly rubbed against Bobs
foot. her frightened eyes looking up
pleadingly into the boy face.
Il amt got anything for you
shoe"
In terror. the cat scampered behind
an ash barrel-the tip OF an ear. one
big yellow eye. a cobwebby whisker
alone visible
say. ! didn't mean to scare you
that way" apologized Bob contriteIy
by the barrel Come here.
Kitty. Kitty"
You see. Kit" explained Bob. gen.
.ly stroking the thin little head. Il
ike cat7-honest But it would be
= orth all nine OF your lives to follow
me into the Grotto II amt that the
fellows haven't kind hearts. It's Just
because they cant understand that
Eey'te got feelings inside Ike other
'olks. you know Besides. Theodore
would make mince Die OF
Tou in short order, You're terrible .
iungry. amt yon7"
MEOW, Meow
Sorry. old girl. but aint a mil 4
ionaire that can afford 10 dine stray
Hey cats 1T restaurants Clean bust.
a. except" Bobs face flushed a
udden red. He had remembered the
lickel in his pocket
He scrambled up. and scowled down
/ the kitten. There's no use OF you
ooking at me- A fellow can do what
e pleases with his own money. and
on needn't suppose for one instant
m going to give up Mary AIMS val.
milne TO feed an old alley cat,-
Emphatically jerking his head. Bob
urned his back upon the two plead.
tx. hungry eyes riveted upon him.
nd took 10 his heels But a glance
yer his shoulder was his undoing.
Or the cat. trying 10 run after him.
Oppled over from weakness. giving a
~ that cut deep into Bob's tender