River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1906-02-08
Mary AIMS
Valentine ~
BY May C. Ringwalt.


the other, peering into the shop win
dow with its marvellous display Of
eve.y kind of valentine. His eyes
twinkled with glee as he gazed upon
thrilling line of comics"
Gee Whit excitedly 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, suspended by
gilt cord, swung creation of pink
celluloid, paper lace, blue forget-me-
nots and green sparrows. If only he
could buy it for Mary Ann! His
breath came and went in little gasps.
On a 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 thestump,
You are my own dear sugar lump
He gave an ecstatic whistle. Even
the hard heart of Mary Ann-who
scornfuly winked the tip of her nose
at his most adoring chances
not possibly withstand poetry like
that! He entered the shop.
He came out with a crestfallen air
and dropping spirits. The pink eel
luloid valentine was SO cents, and poor
Bob had only nickel! He glared in
at the window and then turned an
grily 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 hesinstantaneQusly earn so
vast sum? The holidays with their
snapshot opportunities to run errands
were passed, and now instead of there
being a lucky blizzard with jolly
lot of sidewalks to sweep this four
teenth of February, the air was as
balmy as May-as if spring had sent
breath of her flowers to old winter
for a valentine.
Bob glanced at clock. 1t was too
early to go for his evening papers.
He turned up 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. Of course, after sleeping on
shed roofs and burrowing under
wharfs, a fellow lived like swell in
fine cellar, but when he had paid
Freckles-the gangs ten-year-old bust
ness manager-for his bunk, and con-
tributed his share of the daily grub,
his regular income" was always eX-
hausted. If only there could be some
sensation in that afternoons edition,
Mary Ann might still-Bob's thoughts
were abruptly interrupted by cats
plaintive 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 trapdoor had sud
denly opened in the ground for her
special accommodation. "You are
beaut!" laughed Bob. "Just ought to
see your ribs! Looks as if you'd been
living on washboards all winter.
What are you following me for? Take
me for the avenue swell whose father
keeps a dairy?"
Meow! Meow!" The half-starved
kitten timidly rubbed against Bob's
foot, her frightened eyes looking up
pleadingly into the boys face.
81 amt got anything for you
shoot"
In terror, the cat scampered behind
an ash barrel-the tip of an ear, one
big yellow eye, cobwebby whisker
alone visible.
"Say, l didn't mean to scare you
that way" apologized Bob. contritely
kneeling by the barrel Come here,
Kitty. Kitty"
you see, Kit" explained Bob. gen.
tly stroking the thin little head, 81
like cats-honest. But it would be
worth all nine of your lives to follow
me into the Grotto. 1t amt that the
fellows haven't kind hearts. It's just
because they can't understand that
they've got feelings inside like other
folks, you know. Besides, Theodore
Fitzsimmons would make mince pie of
you in short order! You're terrible
hungry, amt your"
Meow! Meow!"
Sorry, old girl, but I amt a mil
1ionaire that can afford to dine stray
alley cats at restaurants. Clean bust
ed, except" Bob's face flushed a
sudden red. He had remembered the
nickel in his pocket.
He scrambled up, and scowled down
at the kitten. There's no use of you
looking at me! A fellow can do what
he pleases with his own money, and
you needn't suppose for one instant
I'm going to give up Mary AIMS val
entine to feed an old alley cat!"
Emphatically Jerking his head, Bob
turned his back upon the two plead
ing, hungry eyes riveted upon him,
and took to his heels. But a glance
over his shoulder was his undoing,
for the cat, trying to run after him,
toppled over from weakness, giving a
cry that cut deep into Bob's tender
heart.
The brave little pussy was soon on
her feet again, the plaintive meow"
with note Of triumph when she found
her new friend coming toward her.
Bob stood looking down at her, the