The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1852-02-20

6Icil8 uo SIle Is leu 10 OtmdHluo. 10 not say
this displifingly, for Kate has quite as good
sense as nine in ten who have only number
ed her yeaIs, which are about twenty-one.
On one subject, Kate had, for year ol
two, been particularly decided in her ex.
passions. The Valentine epidemic. which
has Eoged so violently. she considered So
cial disease emphatically. Il Twas no heal
thy manifestation Of right feelings, in hel
estimation.
as last II. Valentines day approached,
and the store. windows and counters began
to be filed with emblematic love missives
Of all kinds, from the most costly, delicate,
andrtfined, down to the cheapest, coarsest,
and most vulgar, Kate exhibited more and
more strongly her antipathy TO the custom
about to be honorsd.
IF any one were to send mea Valentine, ,
said she, i would take it Us q direct insult
TO my common 81 nse.'
'0b. as for that | replied, sportiyely,
lovers are not so silly as to address the COM
mon sense Of those whose iayor they desire
to win.'
Whoever wins me- was her prompt an
swer, must appeal to that. AT no other
pUlut Will Dc uCCebSlUtc,
We shall see.'
And we will see.'
III wager new hat against spring bon.
net said !, that you receive a Valentine
this year from certain young man named
- Never mind; don't blush 50; won't
name him.
Il would discard any one who insulted me
with Valentine, replied Kate, indignant
y.
Don't say that, for fear you will have
cause to repent the indiscretion.'
yes, do say it. No man Of good sense
would stoop to such trifling.'
adon't know. Kate. A little trifling,
now and then, is relished by the best Of
men,
That's rhyme, which does not always 90
hand in hand with reason
You'll grow WISER Kate, as you grow
older.'
If that is the kind Of wisdom age brings,
I'm sure don't want it.
Ianswered with a laugh, for to be grave
on such theme was not in me. AS the
fourteenth approached, Kate frequently re-
peated her expressions Of disgust at the silly
custom Of sending Valentines that had be-
come SO popular, and declared, over and
over sg,in, that such liberty with her,
would be taken as direct insult, and re-
sented accordingly.
Among the visiting acquaintances oil Kate,
was young man named Loring, for whom,
Icould see, she had kinder feelings than for
any other male friend; but, either in conse-
quence of natural reserve of character, or
because be was in doubt as to Kate's senti-
ments regarding himself, he never seemed
perfectly a! ease in her company, though he
sought it on every proper occasion. ! had
him in my mind when suggested the recep-
ton Of Valentine from a certain young
man, and Kate understood me perfectly.
Well, Valentines day came around. At
dinner time, ! came home as usual, and al
most the first word my wife said to me
was---
What do you think? Kate's received
Valentine.
'lndeedp
Its true. 1t came BY the Dispatch Post.
received it at the door, and sent it up to
her room.'
Have you seen her since?'
NO
'0f course, she's particularly indignant
i don't know any thing about that II
was handsome one infer, from the size
and envelop, and had in it something hard,
which ] took for jewelry--a breastpin or a
bracelet
Where do you think it came FRONT said
l.
4 have guessed young Lorirg,' answered
my wife.
If he has sert it he has committed
great mistake lreplied.
How sof
You know Hates antipathy to valen-
tines
Young ladies' often talk great deal with
out really knowing what they say; and
Kate is not altogether free from the fault
said my wife.
4 readily enough assented to this. When
the bell rung for dinner, Kate came down
from her room. Her face was I'd ther more
sober than usual, and she did not Join in
the conversation with her accustomed AMI
nation. She was first 10 retire from the
table.
4 don't think she is mortally offended
eaid 10 my vile.
mo, not II ] am skilled in mental indica-
TONS was replied.
During the afternoon, two or three more
love missives came; but not word touch
ing their reception, or The feelings produced
thereby, was breathed by Kate. 1t was
plain, however, 10 one with even half an
eye. that she was pleased at the mark OF
attention, or, II might be, token OF love-
Evening instead of being passed as usual
with the family, wes sPeRt BY Kate in her
room.
On the next morning, a. the breakfast la
bic, mentioned the fact that q certain num-
Der Of Valentines had passed through the
postroffice on the day before. This was in
order to Introduce the subject, and call out
some remark from Kate; but she remained
silent on the subiect, though. not sritbout
indicating, by her heightened color and resi-
less eye, that her thoughts were busy en-
ougb.
Inther think our young lady has changed
her opinions. said !, smiling, after Kate had
left tie table.
circumstances alter cases, you know re-
piled my wife, smiling in turn,
On the next evening, young Loring call
ed in. Kate was longer than usual in ma
king her appearance, and when she came in
to the paflor, was dressed with more than
ordinary care, For the first time, noticed
on her wrist new and beautiful BRACELET
She bluehad aliohtlv ae che ,,,a. I -.