Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-13
MY FIRST AND LAST VALENTINE.

On the lith OF February-it is the day the
birds are said to choose their mates-a beyy
of happy wild schoolgirls were assembled to
find ways and means to write and send away
valentines unknown to their teachers who had
expressly forbidden it,
Long after the teachers were sweetly repo-
sing in the land of dreams, we stole softly and
quietly along the creaking tell-tale halls to
Bell Martins room. There we wrote senti-
ment and mischief, nonsense and ridcule, to all
we could think of.
i never heard of the fate of but one. and that
we sent to q school mate. She was a pale quiet
girl, who had little to say to any of us, and
studied for the sake Of improvement, as if con-
sciOus that her time was precious on this earth,
and her privileges few. She was generally dis
liked in the school, except by the teachers. 1
do not know why, but an unaccountable feeling
Of jealousy peryaded my own breast toward
her. If ever missed in a lesson, she was sure
TO answer; if L ever did any mischief her great
black eyes were sure to follow me with such a
sOrrOHful look that conscience was sure to re-
prove me. But the teachers'alI loved Jennie,
and seemed To place more confidence in her
than in any Of the others Itwas she who rang
the tardy bell; she who took our exceptions;
she who aroused us from our warm nests so
early in the morning. For all these reasons
she was associated in our minds with something
unpleasant.
Now, Jennie was often in the receipt of very
suspicious looking letters-at least zoe suspect
ed they sayored greatly Of love and a young
man. How could we discover! was the thought
in our minds; and too often among school girls
is the adage verified, that
Satan will
Find something still
For idle hands to dc "a
At any rate, we thought II could do no harm to
try an experiment SO, an envelope was pur-
lOined from among her treasurefs, and the
handwriting closely initiated
W hat should the contents be? 1t was per-
haps because my brain was the most prolific of
mischief that the task Of writing the valentine
devOlyed, by general consent, upon me- /
wrote
81 loved you, and trusted YOU.
You deceived me,
For ever,
Farewell -
The mail would be brought at ten in the
morning; We must witness the effect of our val
entine. Jennie's room was next to mine, with
door between. The keyhole being in close
proximity to her chair, we might easily see it all
1t was rule Of the school to 90 to Miss Will
sons room for our letters We were all con-
gregated about the entrance when Jennie passed
out with hers, and with such q happy jOy-
iul look In her eyes, that 1 felt panied ut the
Disappointment We had prepared for her.
'.Girls, do be quiet; she will hear you,''
said as they crowded around to witness the
reading OF the valentine though the keyhole.
i looked. She had seated herself in full view
and with look OF eager expectation opened
her letter Alas! how pale she became as she
read those cruel words; but we heard not even
u sigh.
'''she don't care the girls exclaimed, and
| separated.
was not 30 easy satisfied. / felt there
might be times, seasons Of agony, when even in
woman's heart the tears that cannot rise tC
the eyes, taH inWaTd, seething choking-bit
| terer than any gentle rain which rnoistens
| the cambria handkerchief L could not turr
away to join the merry throng below, while shs
| sat there mOtionless, with her clasped hands
| her wide opened eyes, and her throbbing heart
The dinner hour came and passed, but Jen
I ME s seat was vacant. At tea time some ont
was sent TO call her, when she was found LAWNS
on the floor, and to first appearance Iifeless
| Reason had vacated its throne the poor tiret
! heart but family beat, while ours throbbet
| painfully, fearfully, knowing too we'll that w,
| had done the mischief. The arrow pointed b,
a thOughtless hand had been aimed too we'll
| AT night she lay raying in Miss Wilson
arms, and all night / knelt by the door whicl
! separated her room from mine, listening witt
| frightened heart to her words. Now she woul'
| talk wildly, ineOherently; then her word
would become tender and confding, as if he
! woes and heart escaped through her lips to
gether Again her meanings were terrible :
| hear She would start up wildly, calling
lovingly ON |" Willie,-Willie. don't leave Inc
Lam 50 wretehed!a was not false; oh beliey