True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-08-12
THE STRAWBERRIES.
BY NED ANDERTON.

TAT last" cried Alexowitz, II have
found means to induce the beautiful
Kathinka to accept present! One which,
Notwithstanding its cost, will not offend
her naughty delicacy. Cupid himself has
conducted mo to this garden, where these
scarlet strawberries, her favOrile fruit are
ripening in The midst of January. To be
sure, one might offer her jewels, instead
of this delicious fruit but :hose she
would disdain, as she has already done so
many times these will be touched by her
lovely lips /! o. happy Alpxowitz, and
happy, happy strawberries .
II was in one of the imperial palaces
in The vicinity Of 81. Petersburg thar the
admirer of the beautiful Kathlnka made
this forluneate discovery. Cultivated by
the gardeners skilfull hand, number Of
strawberries had actually ripened amid,
all the ice and cold of that frozen climate
in the seyerest days Of, winter. The en-
thuslastic lover bad compared them. in
point of value. TO jewls but costly also
was the price which the magic gardner
required for his fruit. That the eighty
rubies which he demanded for small
measure of them. was paid without hesi
talion, will be easily credited by those
who, at all, are conversant with the rilu-
al of love.
Possessing natural delicacy of feeling,
and already experienced in the arl of in
sinualing himself into the good graces of
the fair sex, Alexowilz was not the man
10 make his offerings, beautiful and at
tractive of themselves, in vulgar OF ot-
trusIve mode. The gardner's boy, depu.
ted by him to deliver the costly present.
seemed created for the messenger Of love,
SO skilful was be in betraying, with un.
consciousness, not only the name of the
donor, but also the value Of the precious
gift.
What Alexowtz had said of the lady,
was strictly true. though her fortune was
not equal TO her birth, noble pride with
held her from ever accepting a present
from any of her numerous admirers
The first impression which this delicately
rendered offering from the generous Alex
owitz made on her mind, could not be
otherwise than extremely grateful and
fatlering. A moments reflection, how.
ever. caused a feeling of regret that so
large sum of money should I've squan
dered on nothing, and signing, she gazed
upon tho tempting fruit without touch
ingit. 1.
The mother Of the young lady, more
accustomed to care and economy, suspec.
ted what was passing in her mind, and
fastened TO turn the thought to some
profit. Accordingly, in a strain Of ma
tronly eloquence, she represented 10 Ka
thinka, that for the money thus usclessly
expended, she might have procured num-
berless articles of dress that she could
with difficulty dispense with, and many
minor comforts which they both needed
A! length they resolved to sell the cost
ly, and TO them, superAuous present.
In pursuance Of this prudent resolve. their
wai'ing-maid. being cautiously instructed,
hastened TO seek one OF her friends, who
occupied herself in little dealings of this
nature, aAd who gave great hopes Of sci.
ling the strawberries to advantage.
Mother and daughter were still talking
over the matter, which was nevertheless,
a little painful to their feelings, when
Kosinsky entered; a young Gallcian
nobleman. perhaps the only Of Katllin-
ka's admirers who really loved her. but
who, less wealthy than Alexowiiz, had
never been able to present her with to.
ken Of affection so costly, rich and beaul-
iiiul. Ka'hinka had appeared to favor the
handsome KoSinsky. but whether her
heart was Too vain to reject the influence
Of external splendor, or whether the cool
ness with which she now received the
noble Polls arose from the advantage
gained by bis fortunate rival, il would be
hard to say.
Who can pretend to understand the
mysteries Of a Iady's hearth It might be
vexation at having received such mark
Of attention from The one she loved least
But whatever the cause, in vain did the
chagrined lover Introduce twenty different
topics Of conversation every attempt tu
dispel the il.humor Of his mistress failed
most signally. Uneasy, he at times
threw back his raven hair. his dark eyes
apaTkled, and his flushed cheeks glowed
still brighter from bis painful embarrass-
ment: Finally, subject was started
which interested the proud beauty, name.
ly, the seasons,
That this should lead the discourse
from winter to summer, from summer 10
spring, and from spring 10 Strawberries,
was squile natural, and the lady spoke so
enthusiastically Of strawberries, that it
appeared as if she were dying to possess
some.
sAnd yet. interrupted Kosinsky, not
sxaclly knowing what to say, "even If it
were possible to obtain this delicious
iruit il the depth Of winter, the lovely
Kathinka wouldnot condescend to accept
them from TIE hand of affection.