The Placer herald., 1857-03-21
Valentines Eve; or, the Way Uncle Sam
Popped the Question Fifty years ago.


We had all come to spend Valentines
Eve, in a merry making at Squire Whites
who had just moved out of the old log into
the new brick, and made "house warm
ing" as they used to call the first party in a
new house. 1t was just twenty years ago,
a warm genial February, and the sugar trees
had been tapped, and nice run Of sap had
filed the buckets, tubs and troughs, and
Madam White, who had as kind heart as
ever beat under home made gown, set the
big kettle of rich syrup before the fire and
said we should sugar off" We had all
got circled round the big fire place, each
with saucer or wooden trencher, and a
spoon or paddle in hand ready for an on
sIaught, as soon as aunt Polly should say, "Fall
to and help yourselves" when in come
Uncle sam from the field; his round. rosy,
happy face radiant with mirth and gee, and
his heart beating as genial and warm as the
great fire to his chimney that sent its glow
over every brow in the room.
ooh Uncle, Sam, Uncle Sam-Now for
that long promised story-Now for "poping
the question:" cried half dozen voices at
once.
"Do father White" said Lawyer C
who had somehow got out into the country
to spend Valentine. LET us have the story
by all means ! have been on the point OF
popping the question these five years, but
did not know how; and if you will give us
your experience, | may find in it the way
and means Of escaping from single blessed
ness"
"Do. you; come now, uncle SAM" cried
pretty black eyed rogue of sixteen, as she
sent a stolen glance over the shoulder Of the
stately Miss Ellen the belle of the village,
who stood patting her spoon in the bottom
of her saucer, as if unconcious of the deep
meaning in the lawyers last words.
"Well, well, bless my stars boys and girls
don't all talk at once. Marm is your sngar
most done? Sit down, or stand up-dont
care which-but keep still for once in your
lives ten minutes. and I'll tell you all about
it."
"Oh. Uncle Sam, I'm so glad, won't
speak a word"
Here, Ned Wilson, take Jenny Lee
under your care, sit down by her side, yon-
der on the settee, and see she don't trouble
me aoin, if she does, seal up her lips Ned
YOU know how" and Uncle Sam took
his seat in the old arm chair, in the centre
of the group, took the Guild from his cheek
and threw it into the fire and began.
"Thirty years ago to night
Laws me Mr.. White what's the use:
don't be telling the youngsters any Of your
yarns" said Aunt Polly, as she lifted up a
aleful Of syrup and let it run out into the
kettle again, to see if it was getting 'ropy
Never mind never mind, wife-you tend
the lasses. Just thirty years ago Tonight |
made up my mind | would 90 to Squire
porter's aud pop-the question to Polly.
had been trying six months to get at it.,
but somehow, just as | was going to out
with it, my heart would take thump-
inc, and my tongue would cling to the
roof of my mouth, and there was the end
of it. All nonsense boys nonsense - the
girls are willing enough"
"Oh, Uncle SAM how dare you!"
"Ned Wilson what did tell you to do?'
There was report like-no matter-the
cherry lips were sealed.
81 had failed as | said as often as once a
week, for the last six months and now | was
determined to get through some how so |
GOT sister Ruth to cut me Valentine
(she was well at it | tell ye)-all hearts
and darts, and true love knots, with varses
around in among 'em-such as
"This ring is round that hath end,
So is my love for you my friend"
And
''Roses red, and violets blue,
Pinks are pretty and so are you"
"Sure as the vine grows round the stump,
So sure yor are my sugar lump
To which added a rhyme out of my
own head, all the one ever made, boys, |
guess, but went to her heart, | reckon
Oh what can cure my melancholy,
Nothing on earth-but you Miss Polly"
sent this by Bill in the morning as he
went up to school. He went rite by Squire
Porter's and promised him red hand
sled if be would tell nobody. keep shady
Bill" said l. Tight as clam said he.
Thinks I to myself agin she gets that all
read over, she'll begin to guess what I'm ar
ter when | get up there tonight.
81 and father had to go into the deaden-
inc that day to chop wood for the district.
Bless my stars how cold it was-the wind
blew threw the bare limbs of the old oaks
and naples like wrath. But my heart beat
double quicker time, you know boys, how
it goes, and | chopped away like blazes.
"You're in hurry, Sam amt you!" said
the old man.
mo other way to keep warm, father"
said I, but warn't cold not bit. We
kept at it all day an long day it was tell
ye Just before sundown we turned in, and
shouldering our axes started for home.
"Sam, said the old man, I'm right tired
my self, and you may go down to the lower
meadows and fodder the stock.
OFF | struck like mad, for kpeW it would
take me till pitch dark to get done if had
to do it alone, and then I'd have my supper
to eat, my beard to take off and fix up, and
walk mile and half and it would be nigh