Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-03-07
ACornerI In
Valentines.
By CLARISSA MACKlE.
By CLARISSA MACK
Cop, riglied, leUs, by p. {. Eastmeui.


MIR Timothy Scott for the fourth time
that morning.
Just II moment. Mr.. Scott said the
busy clerk apologetcally. You see we
are very busy today" he continued
hastily making change for small girl
who hal purchased Il valentine. TO
morrow's Valentine day yol know"
II ought TO know" growlcd MIR Scott
irasclbly. You have Informed me OF
that fact four distinct times this morn
Ing. DO you mean to say that ali these
people are buying idlotc pictures to
send 10 their friendsT'
They are buying Valentines yes
sir" returned the clerk. with an appre
hcnslvc glance toward the Sc, cral Gus.
toners. Your paper will be ready In
moment sir. The package has not
been opened yet"
80 husy selling valentines. OF course.
You needn't repeat the explanation"
snapped MIR Scott turning toward the
door Pausing In the entrance. he look.
ed back The little siationers was the
only shop OF It's kind In the village.
Here alone bloomcd the flower garden
of valentines. Here alone was the
source of his annoyance. 4 diabolical
plan entered Mr. Timothy SCOTS clev-
or head a voice interrupted his mus
ings.
Here Is your paper ut last. Mr..
Scott" said the clerk affably The old
gentleman looked about the store as he
pocketed the paper. The other custom
ers had departed: he was the only one
there
SHOW me all the valentines you have
In stock he ordered sharply
Yes yes. sir gasped the perturbed
clerk as he dlved beneath the counter.
Presently he emerged dusty and
GREATNESS. bearing several large green
pasteboard boxes.
These in the store" he said. indicat.
Ing the interior OF the small room. land
these In the boxes are all we have"
Mr.. Scott looked around ut the rows
Of valentines There We're picture
poStals. lace paper missives. few silk
aud satin beauties and an assortment
of the coarse comic valentines. All
OF them expressed varied degrees OF
sentiment. and they We're all resplen'
dent in cupids. interviewed hearts,
flowers and tender verses.
Il will take them ALL" said Mr.. Tim.
othy Scott. reaching for his pocket
book
The agitated shopman stared vacu.
ously until he caught the fierce CLEAN
In the customers eye; then. with trem.
bling fingers. he collected the valen
tines and placed them IN boxes. In
ten minutes the store was denuded OF
It's festive array, and Mr.. Timothy
Scott was the proud possessor Of six
huge boxes OF valentines.
can you obtain any more for meT'
he asked sharply.
"No. SIR" said the clerk There
isn't another one IN the village, and |
couldn't get any one TO drive twenty
miles TO Milertown after some"
VERY good" said Mr.. Timothy Scott
as he paid his bill Il will send my
man after the boxes" he said M he left
the store and entered the storm OF fly
Ing flakes There promised TO he II
heavy snowfall. and Mr.. Scott tramped
cheerfully toward his handsome home
very well satisfied with the result OF
his mornings work
Late that afternoon old Benjamin
staggered into the house under the
load OF boxes from the statloner's, and
his master ordered them placed In Il
corner of the library, where he sat
toastlng his feet before the pleasant
blaze
Dis yer paper is all de mail dey
was. sab" said the negro as he placed
the evening newspaper ut his masters
elbow. Somehow, Mr.. Timothy, seems
like dey's powerful lot o excitement
down TO de postoriis. sab"
What sort of excitement, BenJa.
MINI" asked Mr. Scott absently.
why. | dunno 'sackly. sab | heerd
MIR Downs say as how somebody had
boughten ebery valentine dey was in
Beechcove, and dey want one 10 be
he'd fer love er money. nohow Some
AXIS like dey was put out about It. /
'spect some gemman has lot o lady
frlen's he's gwlne TO member dis yer
day he chuckled gleefully.
Timothy SCOTS weakened little face
flushed under It's mat OF snow white
hair That viii do. Benjamin" he
said gravely. and the old servant re
tired.
Il dunno, Hetty." he contided to his
better half. who was washing dishes In
the kitchen. seems like Mr. Timothy's
growing pesky irritable lately"
whats ne been a-sayin' now 2
wheezed Hctty. numbering across the
room. Il don't set NO store by ole
bachS. Dey's powerful peevlsh and
hard to suit"
81 don't recomember what he sayed.
returned benjamin obviously. but he
did look like he mought be sayin'
something befo' long"
Mr. Timothy Scott sat late before his
cheerful fire that evening with feel