Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-07-19

happened to be De Quincy's " Opium
Eater" which has been bewitching me
lately.
." Oh" said / determined to carry the
thing off with high hand, F." it was moth
ing soporiic in the book, as the name
might indicate, but an Unusual quantity
Of exercise which took this morning in
the open air, that was the cause Of my
drowsiness." All this was said Indifferent
ly enough. but really wished the fellow
at the bottom of the sea. would give any
thing 10 know how long he had been watch
ing me and with the usual justice of human
nature, could really find it in my heart
to hate linn for seeing ME in that ridicu-
lous situation. Do you think too, he had
come to bring me that illuminated edition
of Froissant, that he had mentioned on
New Years day! When aunt and the
| girls returned from their drive, Louise
seemed rather inclined to snecr at my
1'enc hant for walking. and hoped had en-
jOyed myself; but when told them at
the dinnertable of my afternoons adven-
ture, she was not nearly as much morti
fed as l expected she would be, and in
fact seemed to enjoy it vastly.
! Valentines Day, you know, dear Mag
ole, is almost myth with US, but here
the custom is most vigorously kept up
At least wha: they call the custom here
for it really has nothing to do with the
old fashioned uctuuL iGve letters, filled
with Cupids, and hearts AID arrows, and
the sighs of despairing swains. such as
we read Of, but seems to be licensed
day, for more nonsence and vulgarty,
and extravaganza to pass through the
post-office, than the other three hundred
and sixty-four days together could fur
nisE.
For week previous tC the fourteenth,
the shop windows of the lover kinds are
filled with the most abominabIe carica-
tures. which are sold from the price of three
cents upward, things within the range of
everybOdy's purse, tended to wound by
their coarseness; whilst the stationers of
the better class have their windows crow
ded with elegant vellum paper, soma
times exquisitely painted in wreaths and
bouquets. or actual wreaths Of fine French
artificial flowers, with the love verses al
ready indited others have borders which
beautifully initiate the finest and most Ella
aborate lace ; whilst others again have
little pockets, as it were, compactly put
on, in which is usually placed a ring or
some other piece of jewelry, or conceal
ing minute mirror.
Well, on our return from our drive on
Valentines Day, we found the drawing
room table strewn with these pretty non
senses, addressed of course to my cousins
Verses, to Louise particularly, SO adula-
terry that you might Judge from them that
she was Minerva, Venus and Juno COM
bned. TO me the lauyhablc part of
the things was, that these effusions
were not from the heart or brain of
tho lover, but were bought already
beautifully printed for good round
sum. Louise turned over those ad-
dressed to her, with an air of calm in
difference. as though all this incense was
matter of course, and nothing more
than she ought to except, but l thought
she was somewhat disappoin ed in some
way, though one of hers had a most val
liable emerald ling in it. Ella, less ac-
customed to such sweet flattery, was in
futter of delight, and evidently rose
hundred per cent. in her own estimation.
On opening one of hers with its delicate
lace border, she discovered splendidly
embroidered handkerchief within, which
must have cost fifty or sixty dollars
The child gave a cry Of delight, and has
vowed, | believe, to marry the man, who
ever he may be, that had the taste to send
her anything so exquisite.
As l entered my dressing room, a gush
of fragrance met me, and l espied on my
table one of the most perfect bouquets l
ever beheld. 1 knew that uncle Hin
toms gardener would never suffer his
green. house to be robbed Of such wealth
of beauty as that, for he is quit tyrant
in his own domain and thinking the SER
want must have made some mistake in
placing 1t in my room instead of LouiSe's,
was about to carry it in to her, there
fore, when found attached to it card
directed to " Miss Ada Lester" Oh,
Maggie. emerald rings. embroidered pock-
et-handkerchieFs, and rapturous love YER
ses were nothing compared 10 this beauti.
full floral Valentine. 1t was very large,
and almost perfectly white. There were
splendid, wax like camillas, with green
leaf here and there odorous naphnas,
with their pale pink blush. having per-
fume so subtle that it seemed 10 steal
away oue's senses with rose buds lust
opening, SO that you could see far down
into their very hearts ; feathery Taurus
tinus; and to crown the whole, a majestic
white Gala, that looked.li like velvet traced
with silver veins. as I held it against the
light.
1 fairly bounced into the girls room
with it, exclaiming, " look at my Valen-
tine. look at my Valentine. Isn't it ex-
quisite %
Louise raise her eyes incredulously.
For you" asked she, with shadow
of frown, l thought, on her fine brown.
" Let me see.''
nd Shn avan,i n ed r,ninmtnl,- Ahn nn-A