Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1858-10-22
VOL. XII.
CHIsELEp HEARTS.


ons that they stand trembling in the presence
of their fair ones. fainting rom the supposed
loss of blood which the fatal stab has caused!
Now, we do not believe that Master Cupid
is any such fairy-like abstraction as he is
| represented to be, but real bona fds matter
Of fact parsonage, one whom the ladies would
do well to treat with common courtesy al
| least. Such intangible wreaths Of orange
flower seatimentality will do very well to
trim the ideal bridal cake, but seem quite out
of place around the brown loaf of everyday
life.
Once on a time our little fair haired, sly
footed hero pulled the bandage from his eyes
turned geologist, and with basket, hammer
and chisels, went forth among the fair ones
of his village to examine their hearts, and If
possible ascertain of what metal they were
made.
Coming to an elegant mansion, he gave
the bell pull. and wns waited on by SER
want girl. "Take my card to your Mistress -
said the geologist, "and tell her am come
to examine her hearth
The servant girl, though somewhat sur
prised. did as she was directed. Miss Clara
for Clara was the name of her mistress
was young. handsome, proud, and IN heiress;
and was at that very moment, by her Sc lies
of wit, cutting sarcasm, and mild evasive
answers, torturing pale young student who
had the presumption to sue for her hand
She received the card with naughty air.
and jocosely said, "Show him up," then re-
sumeG her coauettish fiirtations with the stu
dent, alternately inspiring hope and awaken
ing fear. So intent was she in this heart
blighting business, and so lightly fell the
footsteps of the geelogist along the carPeted
halls. that he entered unperceiyed, and was
soon chiseljng away at her heart.
1t took but a few strokes of his hammer
to enable him to decide upon its quality
"Siate stone" said he, sand rather scaly also.
All. this heart will never do for met ia
susceptible of only light impression, and
that is soon effaced: but it wounds never to
heal. / will write upon it, "Know thyself,"
but T suppose the injunction will soon be
forgotten"
So the geologist departed, leaving the
proud beauty to reap the reward of her fir
tation.
He next came to a low mean dwelling, in
thy only window in the room was pale,
thin damsel, clad in neat but humble attire.
The shades of sadness fell darkly over her
young brow, and often a deep sigh would
escape her lips. Her fingers were busiiy
plying a nedeie, stitch alter stitch, as the
thread was drawn forth by weary hand, SEEM
ed to strike telegraph wire which recorded
in heaven "Oppresson of the Poor.''
The geologist struck one rap with his
hammer on her heart; "twas all unheeded,
no resgofise was there, no elasticity" He
tfieI to chisel-'twas cold, and hard and
heavy, and the print Of both hammer and
chsel was left: Uoon a closer examination
he discovered that it was covered all over
with indentations of various depths and fig
ures. Poor girl!'' said he to himself. "yeur
heart, whatever it may be, is encased in lead;
no wonderit it looks hard; and cold, and dull,
for such has been your lot in life that this
leaden shield was necessary to keep your
heart from destruction; but if the rays of
friendship eotld sfsiie Upon ii, this feadeh
case would melt, and the gem within glow
with silver brightness. But I cannot wait
to bring about this change; 1 must find me
heart to<day. for may lose all my sober
Judgment tomorrow, and be nothing but a
winged Cupid again" So he wrote on it
with sharp style, "Blessed are they who
mourn now, for they shall be con!fofted5'
and went his way.
He had not proceeded far before lie per-
ceived group of young ladies standing near
one of the street crossings, eageriy engaged
in conversation. A brilliant brtretts f1ed
his attention-she was richly dressed and
sparkling with jewels.
81 must have tap at her heart." said he;
"fos one would suppose by the setting that
the gem was of rare value"
So he glided up, unperceived, and gave it
rap. A craked, ringing sound saluted his
ears. aWhst mistake in Judgment" he
exclaimed, "This heart which / supposed
was of gold, is noshing but plate brass, and
poorly made at that! 'Tis hardly worth q
scratch, but l will write upon it, Thinking
cymbal--ft heart for belief"
He next tried his hammer upon tine heart
of damsel who stood beside the brunette.
She was very fair, with a cold. leaden eye
and passive mien. At the first stroke OF his
chisel, pieces flew off into his face. "This,
said he, sis nothing bat chalk! One might
| make q rough sketch with il, bft could never
produce a beautiful picture. IT'S quite too
earthly for met So he wrote "Fickleness"
upon it, and turned his sttention to third
figure in the group She vas a maid OF
thirty years, tall, trim, and neat, but there
was sort of precise ness and band-box all
about her, which at FIRST quite intiHaidated
him.
At length he summoned resolution to give
her heart a rap, and SOON learned that acton
was equal to reaction, for his hammer wal
repulsed with violence Proportionately
equal to the fDrce of the blow.
sAh me!'' he exclaimed, "a marble heart
smooth and beautiful. but cold! Fit monu
ment for buried hopes." ] must have some
thing warmer.
The geologist now became quite discour
aged, and was about to return home and giv'
over the search, when the sound OF musi,
arrested his attention. 1t proceeded from al
opposite side of the street. He listened, ant
the sounds grew more and more sernphic
and he imagined the performer must be an
geiic.
: "How fortunate,' said he. "that did no
retrace my steps, for here is, doubtless, jus
the heart for me; at any rate must try m!
chisel and hammer upon it," He crosse
the street, and entering unperceiyed, wa
for moment entranced by the superior love
, illness Of his charmer. He now took hi
hammer and chisel, and began upon her hear
but not the least impression could be mad
upon it. There it was, unmoved, in all it
brilliancy. This must be diamond heart,
said he, "and will possess it. / will Gu
my own image upon it, and it shall be min
forever" So he hammered and chisele
away, and his charmer sang on. The stroke
u. -. LII -