Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-18

George wanted football he was sure
to unearth it in one of the numerous
crowded corners of that Toy World. II
Myrtle wanted a cradle or swing for
one of her dolls, that she always TOOK
visiting with her, it was forthcoming
All she had to do was to express her
wish and her little hostess would say:
"Oh. here it is in this corner!"
And so | say, Edith Downs play
room was a veritable Toy World. And
it was on the eve of st. Valentines day
that Myrtle and George were visiting
Edith After the three little ones mad
PLAYED at circus and travelling and sail.
ing and most everything that little
ones do love to play at, they sat down
to have a bit of tea, for Ediths
mamma always brought them some
thing to eat in the middle Of the, after
noon. She gave them pitcher OF
rich. sweet milk, some thin slices Oh
graham bread and plate OF seedless
,raisins. And they played that the
milk was tea, pouring it into tiny tea.
cups. And they played that the bread
was cake, cutting it into tiny blocks
And they played that the raisins were
slices of cold turkey. Some of the
raisins were put away for desert. Then
came ice cream. And you can't
imagine the pleasure the little diners
had over their simple and wholesome
meal. '.'....
"Well, my dears.' said Edith's
mamma. coming into the play room to
see how the little ones were getting
along with their feast, tomorrow IS
st. Valentines day. Each OF you may
tell me Just what you would like Tor
valentine. Then I'll send a wire TO
good St. Valentine and ask hlm' 10
grant your wish
ooh, won't that be just lots OF fun!
cried Myrtle. ""Oh. it will be JUS
lovely!'' agreed Edith. But George,
being of q more serious mind. asked
some questions. Say, Mrs. Downs,
he began, "where does st. Valentine
live? In the clouds?"
ooh I mustn't tell" smiled Mrs.
Downs. Like Santa Claus, the good
st. Valentine has a secret place IN
which he abides. Were the little folk
10 learn his address, they'd bother him
all the year round, wanting to go to
visit his factory where valentines are
made. So, only the older folks
ike the papas and the mammas ana
he big sisters and big brothers, and
lncles and aunts-know.'
"Well, I'd like a-a-candy valen'
incl" cried Myrtle. ~ saw JUS a
oyely- one down In the window of Mr..
links shop. It was a great big candy
1eart wifi something nice on ia
yerse likes in my second reader. An
{ is in the loveliest box!-wreaths OF
'oses on the lid"
"Well well have to wire your
,election to st. Valentine" said Mrs
Downs. Gard now, Georgia. what
would you like?"
George was slow in making ND his
mind. He wanted so many things
,ut thev did not come in the shape or
.alentines. So he rnmmaged about
n his farcv for something that might
" accountable. At last he said: I'D
Ike p kite. Do you suppose st. Valen-
inc might have valentine-kite?"
sBut it's not the season for fving
ties" exclaimed Mrs. Downs. when
ummer comes. then your papa will get
fine kite for you"
,"But I'd like one nova valentine
lite" urged George. I'D keep it till
ummer and have it ready"
well, we'll see If valentine kite
an be procured, dear" said Mrs.
Downs. "And. now darling. what do
,ou want?' And Mrs. Downs turned
O her little Edith. Edith thought for
second. Then she said: "Oh, mamma
want a baby brother. Do you SUP
Jose one might be gotten from st.
Valentine
Mrs. Downs laughed and laughed.
rhen said: "Old Santa Claus deals in
,abies, dear. You'd better wait till
lext Christmas. So, make another
Wish. Ask for some sort of real
,alentine."
But Edith thought and thought till
Ter little forehead puckered and her
yes went half shut with the hard
linking. Still. there was nothing that
he wanted half so much as baby
,rother. But if a baby brother was out
# the question. she would be obliged
O try something else. But before she
lad made up her mind the housemaid
allied to Mrs. Downs, "Please, ma'am,
omebody wants you on the phone"
And Mrs. Downs hurried out of the
,layroom and went down stairs to
he phone. After little she came
Jack to the. playroom and said to
edith. "Now, dearie, have you decided
m the sort of valentine you wish for?"
Edith shook her head Il wanted
baby brother. mamma" she said. Il
haven't thought of anything else. But
III try"
"Well. how would boy baby cousin
lo?" asked Mrs. Downs. Maybe we
night get one Of that kind. Brothers
IRE out of the question till Christmas.
But cousins might be found In the
valentine factory. And--that would
,e the next best thing to a brother,
it
ooh. If it lived close by" cried Edith.
Then it would be almost like a sure
enough baby brother, for Id go to see
+ FIVE or twenty times a day.