Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1846-08-06

OF the line to pay II to you. Good
bye-don't forget the whisky punch,
and take care the baDy's measels.''
This sort Of thing will be an every
day occurrence, but how much more
romantic may be its uses. In Old
times many painful ballads have been
written to describe the pangs of sepa-
rated lovers, thousand miles apart,
and metre mongers have elected from
sympathetic souls "a world of slghs' for
the wo begone situation Of the unfor-
tunate pair. All that humbug is ex-
ploded now. The lover in New York
and the beloved in St. Louis may talk
to each other for hours Let them in
vent Geographic alphabet for them
selves, and the UNCONSCIOUS superlnten-
dant may convey irregular tornado of
signs, and at the same time be as igno-
rant and as innocent as a poor dumb
oyster. What glorious idea! Cour
ting by Telegraph! Here is the true
gal-vanic battery, in the lovers bosom
here is the only electric magnet, the
heart of the beloved. How will his
feelings thrill as the vows of love are
registered by the recording pen of
truth, and deeply impressed upon his
heart. Quick the answering vow is
despatched, and the eye of the fair one
brlghtens, and her cheek acquires a
deeper glow, as she breathes prayer
for him who although absent is present,
who though not seen speaks, and
whose fond word conveyed to her by
Me mysterious power Of the chained
lightning, she feels assured is the sem
timent of truth. Nay, the operation
is so simple that persons having an
alphabet of their own may themselves
send messages and receive the answer.
How charming for the lady to think
that whilst she touches the telegraphic
key, her lover receives and reads the
intelligence at the other station. How
many ofthose arden. vows and little
tendernesses, which even the Telegraph
man, that great depository of secrets,
ought not to know, might be received
and exchanged. Think of popping
The question by telegraph! Suppose
that rushing along the wires, blazing
out in stream of fire, comes the burn
ing declaration! See. the fly wheel
moves, the pens operate, and whizzing
off the wheel comes the imprisoned
question! What is it? She raises the
paper, decipbers the characters, and
there inscribed with lightning yividness
are the words
dearest, will you be mine:'
What is she to do?-the proper line
of conduct as laid down IN sentiment
tai novels is always to faint when a
gentleman makes declaration. But
that is only when the matter occurs
face to face-here the pepper is a thou
sand miles off. And if she were to
faint no one would see her but the tel
egraph man, and that would spoil the
effect. 1t is true, the electric announce
ment is sufficient shock; but of ne
cessity her agitated spirits must be
soothed. So she gently touches the
key, off flies the electric fluid, and the
heart of the lover in the far off country
is gladdeued with the words:
ASK my PAP
| In practical point of view, this
method Of matrimonial engagement
may lead to great results. The impor-
lance of having declaration in wrI-
ting will at once be perceived. The
reason Why so few breach of promise
eases have been brought IN our courts,
is, that the popping the question part
of the business has generally been
transacted verbally by the parties them
selves, and no evidence of that very
essential part of the case could be pro-
duced. Indeed such has been the ne
cessity of,he thing, that some of our
courts have held that i, a gentlemen
PAID very slight attention TO lady, an
engagement ought to be presumed
This is only carrying out the popular
idea, that if a young gentleman asks
once after the health of d lady, dances
twice with her on the same evening at
fashionable ball, calls at her residence
thrice, and accompanies her to church
on four different occasions, nothing
else than "a match can be the result.
However, the effect of this important
local decision has been very unhappy.
Many Of those brilliant young men
called dandles, who used to fllrt with
every specimen of feminine gender
who would permit their empty atten-
tions, have suddenly taken great dis
taste to female society. The halls
which ers. they gladdened with their