Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-04-03
From Field Notes. 3
ST. VALENTINES EVE
A STORY OF THIRTY YEARS ADO
Br Ausr FANNY.

- BT Ausr FAEEY.
We were a merry set that night q
Union Hill, as ever played 'lost my
glove yesterday round the big Gre
place Of cabin way ont west.' aas,
We had all come together tospept
Valentines Eve. in asmerry-makjng a
Squire Whites, who had just moved
out of the old log into q new brick. Ant
made 'house-warming.' as they uset
to call the first party in a new epuse,
Ii was Just thirty years ago. seTnl
genial February. and the sugar. fees
had been tapped. and a nice RIM og 50
/ had filed all the buckets. tubszzbd
troughs. And Marin White, vA9had
as kind heart as ever beat uk3er a
/ homemade gown, set the big ksFle o
rich syrup before the FIRE and s3fi w
should sugar off, We had ~ 90
circled around the big ere place, zach
with a saucer or wooden trencher snd
a spoon or a paddle in hand, ready FOL
an onslaught. as soon as Aunt Polly
should say, Fall to and help Your
selves, when 10 came Uncle San rom
the field; his round, rosy. hsppy face
radiant with mirth and glee, aol his
heart beating as genial and wefp as
the great FIRE in his chimney. thz< sent
its glow over every brow IN the fopm.
'oh, Uncle Sam, Uncle Saul now
for that long promised story. Now
for popping the question: cried q dozen
voices at once. fas-,il 7fa25
DO, Father White said La yer
c., who somehow got int9 the
country to spend Valentine. ,'Lst us
have it by all means. have been on
the point Of popping the question these
FIVE years, but I did not know how
and ifyou will give us your experience.
may find it the way and meaps oI
escaping from single blessedness.
DO, dol come now EnHsz' san.
cried prstty-eyed rogue OF sixteen, as
she sent stolen glance over the shoul-
der of the stately Miss Helen. the belle
Of the village, who stood patting hei
spoon in the bottom of her saucer, as i
unconscious OF the deep meaning Of the
lawyers last word.
We'll, well, bless my stars, boys and
girls, don't all talk at oncel Marin, is
your sugar most done? Sit down oil
stand up-don't care which-but keep
still for once in your lives ten minutes
and I'll tell you all about it,
Here, Ned Wilson, take Jenny Lee
under youI, care, sit down by her side,
yonder on The settee, and see that you
don't trouble me again. II she does
seal up her lips, Ned-you know how;
and Uncle Sam took his seat in the old
arm chair, in the center Of the group
took the quid from his cheek, ant
threw it into the fire, and began.
/ Thirty years ago to night
! Laws anne, Mr.. White. what's th'
use, don't be telling the youngsteri
any of your yarns said Aunt Polly
as she lifted up ladel full of syrup
and let it run out slowly into the keith
again, to see il it was getting ropy.
Never mind, never mind, wife-yol
tend the 'lasses. Just thirty years ag'
tonight. made up my mind I'd g
up to Squire Porter's and pop tn
question to Polly. l had been trying
for six months to get at it. but some
how Just as | was to out with it. m,
heart would take to humping. and m,
tongue would cling to the roof OF m.
mouth, and there was the end OF it,
. All nonsense. boys, all nonsense--th'
girls are willing enough.
: '0h, Uncle Sam, how dare you?
} Ned Wilson, what did / tell you &
/ do?'
There was a report like-no mat
ter--the cherry lips were sealed.
: i had failed. as I said. as often a
once a week for six months, and not
J l Was determined to get through some
] how. so l got sister Ruth to cut me
vsnentine--(she was cute at it / te
! ye, all hearts and darts. and tru
love knots, with verses all around ]
7 among 'em. such as
The ring is round that hath no end,
: So is my love to you, my friend
And re
Roses red and violsts blue.
Pinks is pretty and so be YOU
Sure as the vine goes round the stump,
So sure are you my good sugar lump.
To which / added q rhyme out {
my own head. all the one / ever made
boys; but 1t went to hsr heart ] reel
on: 1ac. s ssfF scr ii-
ooh, what can cure my melancholy
Nothing on airth but5ou, Miss Polly
; sent this by Bill in the morning, :
r he went to school. He went right
o Squire Porter's, and promised hi
e new hand-sled if be wouldn't tell M
It body. Keep shady, Bill said l.
: Tight as a clam. said he.- -.
i Thinks I 70 myself. agin she gi
e that all read over she'll begin to guei
d what / am Arter when ] get up thel
o tonight. .E..-v-.
.To.Lo~ IL h.I "a 20 nv, into ~