Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-02-14
Ig)e,. Obip 5tatfsnram ~
4 n n D..
Jaae's 'yalsn.Ins..
ny ms, II. n. LADD wARsER,

ny mrs. H. III. LADD WARNER.
What a singular tablear! Three beautiful
Qirls conyulsed with laughter, and one plain
faced maiden bathed In tears. 4 was st. Val
entine,s Eve. Missive after massive had been
brought into the back parlor Of Judge Milford's
by the obsequious walter. some OF tnese Of
ferings were large and expensive; some tiny
and delicate; some replete with hattery; some
redolent with perfumery; ell eminently eily.
Bnt one of these had occasioned the mirth Of
the trio, or the grief of the one. Some vulgar
person had sen vile caricature to the plain
sister, accompanied by an exaggerated descrip.
ton of her ugliness In verse.
It was quite painful enough to Jane to know
that she possessed no claim 70 personal beauty.
Could she have lost sight Of that fact she would
have appeared very different at times. But her
sisters always managed to bring their own pret.
tiuess into such forcible contrast with her plain.
ness, that ehe was rarely free from nervous
sort of consciousness Of her personal defects.
But she had good sense and y patient spirit,
which they had not Sill, when they grew 80
merry over her solitary Valentine, she finally
burst into tears, spite Of all her efforts to the
contrary; for Jane was In the habit Of control.
| ling her emotions, when wounded and heart'sore,
until safety concealed In her own room
|
black ewes to their utmost capacity, "the child
is really weeping. Why Jane! you are more
like the picture than ever. You would never
do for heroine in novel, for they are always
represented as irresistible In tears F" p %
| "Mercy how red your eyes are," ejaculated
azure ofbed Clara. "You do look frightfulw
1.-THE poor child can't help being ugly" in
terposed Fanny gazing complacently into the
mirror opposite, where her red lips and auburn
ringlets were advantageously reflected.
| "That is just what pains me-" sobbed Jane.
l'Because God saw ft to create me plain, |
do not see why should be made the butt Of
every coarse jest. suppose l have failings
like other people. Should my faults OF temper
or omissions Of duty, be chosen as subjects to
ridicule, am sure would not complain, but
to ridicule my personal appearances, think,
savors OF eoarseness and Ignorance.
Isabelle black eyes flashed. Jane, the young
est of them all, always so submissive, always
90 humble to burst out so suddenly, with so
pointed declaration! ...-.
"Mr. Lee, in the drawing room, wishes to sec
Miss jane" announced the servant at this juno
care you certain he said janet" demanded
Clara. wee
! ayes, men, !" replied the waiter,
"Lottie Is i'll again, no doubt" suggested
j Fanny. Jane Is such an excellent nurses" ant
Isabel added, 81 wish cousin Charles had COM
In to spend the evening in soclable way"
Il would certainly have been very agreeable
. for Charles Lee was rich, fnelooklng, and in
g telligent, widower and remotely related to tn
Milfords. No wonder the Hall found cousil
Charles an interesting gentleman, his littl
daughter Lottie perfect angel, and his country
seat terrestrial Paradise. IN -s,rs \
he tnt 1eax
striving to efface all traces of her recent grie
"Is Lottie MT" interrogated she, as Mr.. LIE
approached her. 80 1Sd :. .-so ~.
HNo, Jane,' he replied, "Lpttie is well, br
In want" sts--- 80 ,-ss
ain want" Jane repeated. lf - -.4,.d,. !.
ayes, In want Of mothsr,' aud of o wife, an
have come here tonight to offer myself to III
! tie Jane Milford as her Valentine for life, 4
she will accepta man old enough to be he
father" .i.l..I. ..,..
aWhy, an, very plain" she faltered forth
l"I have Just received the most horrid carica
ture you ever saw, in consideration ofmy claim
to extraordinary uglness. ta.j = ca.5f
81 recollect thinking you plain when frs
saw you, he replied; "but now, in my eyes
YOU are the prettiest Of the four. Besides d
. You are good, gentle, and sweet-toned; and
i] love you. But about the Valentine; do 20
consider me particularly ill.lookIng7" s.5
i "You, Mr.. Lee" said Jane, innocently
sswhy your are handsome" ..-.,,
"Well, received q Valentine to-day quite q
\ groteeque as your own, I'll be bound," and
: unfolded q sheet, revealing o lone widowt
ie shiyering over miserable fire. "But thl
/, awakened me to o sense Of my desolate condi
ton, and determined to appeal to you, moi
. withstandiDg my fear of your reply, when COZ