Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-10-19
MISCELL A N Y
Chiseied Hearts.

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Chiseled Hearts.
Why is it that poets make Cupid little arch
er. sing of his swiftness, and rhyme him in wifi
hearts and darts ard painters pin pretty colder
wings to his shoulders that he may ny, but be
ture ,bey finish him tie bandage over his eye
10 hinder him9 After all this trammeling, loV
ers SD fear his weapons that they stand trem
bling in the presence of their fair ones taintine
from the supposed loss OF blood which the iata
stab has cauSedt
Now. we do not believe that Master Cupid j:
auy such iry-like abstraction as he is represent
ed TO be. but real bona fde matter -ot-fact per
sonage, one whom the ladies would do well t
treat with common eour,sey, at least Such III
tangible wceaths oforange flowers sentimental
ity will do very we'll to trim the ideal brida
cake. but seem quite out OF place around the
brown bread loaf of everyday life.
Once on time our little fair-haired, SLY foot
ed hero pulled the bandsge from his eyes, turn
ed geologist. aud with basket, hammer, and CHS
els went forth among the fair ones of his village
10 examine their hearts, and II possible ascertain
of what material they We're made.
Coming to an elegant mansion, he gave the
bell q pull, aud was waited on by u servant girl
Take nv card to your mistress" said the geo
ooist. "anI tell her am come to examine hei
heart"
The servant girl, though somewhat surprised
did as she directed Miss Clara--for Clara was
The name of her miStreSs-was young, hand
some. proud. aud an heiress; and was at thai
very mo,nent, by her sallies ot wit, cutting sar.
casm, and mild evasive answers, torlurlng pale
Young student who had the presumption to sue
for her hand.
| She received the card with a naughty air, and
iocosely said, SHOW him up" then resumed
her coquettish tlirtatious with the student, alter
natelv inspiring hope and awakening fear! sc
absorbed was she in this heart blghting busl
ness and So lg,tly fell the footsteps OF the geol
ngist along the carpeted halls that he entered
unperceived, and was soon cbisselng away ai
her heart.
II took but few strokes of his hammer to
enable him to decide upon Its quality. "Slate
stone," said he, "and rather scaly, also. Ah!-
this heart will never do for me--t is susceptible
only of light impression. will write upon II
Know thssef,' but | suppose the Injunction
will soon be forgotten"
So the geologist departed. leaving the proud
beauty to reap the reward Of her Irritation.
He next came to low mean dwelling in the
rear of a great thoroughtare; seated near the
only window in the room was pale, thin dam
sell clad in a neat but humble attire. The
shades of sadness fell darkly over her young
brow. and often deep sigh would escape her
hps. Her fingers were busy plying the needle,
and stitch after stitch, DIS the thread Was drawn
forth by her weary hand seemed to strike
teegraphic wire which recorded i'll Heaven "Op-
preston of the poor.
The eeologist struck one rap with his hammer
on her heart; twas all unheeded, no response
was there, no elasticity. He tried to chise-
twas cold, and hard, and heavy, aud the print
of both hammer and chisel was left. Upon
cl,ser examination he discovered that II was
cov.rel all over with fluctuations oI various
DEPTHS and figures. Poor grill" said he tc
himself .your heart, whatever it may be, Is en-
cased in leai. no wonder it looks hard, and
cold and dull. for such has been your lot III lite
that this lea,en shield was necessary to KEEP
your heart from destruction but II The rays o
friendship could shine upon IL aud The hre u
love warm in il, this leaden case would melt
anu the gem within q low with silver orighi
ness. But ! cannot wait to bring about thl'
change must find lie heart 10 day, ior
NAV loose all my sober Judgment To- o'inorroW
and be nothing but winged Cupid again." 81
he wrote on il with a sharp style, blessed art
they who mourn now for they shall De comfort
cd, aud went his way.
He had not proceeded far before lie percelVee
group of young ladies standing near one of 'h'
street crossings, eagerly engaged III cohVersh
ton. A brilliant brunette fixed his attention.
she was richly dressed and sparkling with jewels
81 must have Il tap at her heart, ssld lie, 'iol
one would suppose by the setting that tne gen
was of rare value" :.
So he glided up, unperceiyed, and gave IL
rap A cracked, ringing sound saiuteu Ills ears
What mistake in ju0gment!" lie exclaimed
This heart, which | supposed was oi goid, II
nothing but plate brass, aud poorly mace d d
that IT'S barely wortL a scratch, but VII
write ON il, Thinking cymbal'-tt heart LOT
belief"
He next tried his hammer upon the heart o
damsel, who stood beside the brunette. Sh'
was very fair, with q cold, leaden eye ana pas
sive mien AT the first stroke OF his chlsei Pie
ces flew off into his lace. "Ihls, SAID lie, !
nothing but chalk one might make roug'
sketch with it, but could never produce oeau
,iful picture. lis quite too thly iof uie' :
So he wrote "Flckleness" upon IL, ana turne'
his attention To third figure III the group
She was maid OF thirty years tall, triin ah
neat but there was sort of preciseheSs "u
handbook air about her which ut hrst quite III
Inundated him.
At length he summoned resolution to give he
heart rap, and soon learned Ihas action was =
quail to reaction, for his hammer repulSed witl
a violence proportionately to the force OF tn
blow.
"Ah, mel" he exclaimed, "a marble heart
smooth aud beautiful, but cold! FIT monu
rnent lor buried bopesl | must have somethin,
warmer" Tie geologist now became quite dis
couraged, and was about to return home ant
give over the search, when the sound of mus
arrested his attention; it proceeded from tn
opposite side OF the street. He listened, and tn