Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1864-05-20
WHArcAMEo EoFAVALENTINE.

WHAT CAME OF n VALENTINE.
On the evening of the 18th of February.
1850, two young men sat In comfortably
furnished room in large New York boarding
house. A bright fire glOwed in the crate,
we'll chosen eDgraviugs adorned the walls, and
a bright light was diffused about the room.
Let me introduce the occupants of the
apartment as Tom Stacy ard John Wilbur,
Young men of twenty-five or thereabouts, who
we're known in business circles as Stacy q
Wilbur, retail and dry goods dealers, No. =
Broadway. They had not been doing busi-
ness, but were already doing unusually we'll
They had taken apartments together, one ol
which is now presented to the reader.
"Has it occurred to you, Wilbur" asked
bis partner, removing his cigar, and knock
ing away the ashes, tomorrow is st. Yalen-
tines day?"
Eyes, I thought of it this afternoon, as
was walking up from the store"
$50 did /, and to some purpose too, as l
will show you"
Stacy went to drawer and drew out a
gorgeous valentine, an elaborate combination
Of hearts, doves, sc.
What do you think gave for that ?" ne
asked.
II don't know. I'm sure. 1t appears to be
very elegant"
at cost me ten dollars"
| eWbew p' whistled Wilbur. sit strikes me
YOU are either very extravagant or very de-
voted May l know what fair damsel is to
be made glad by the receipt of this elegant
missive ?''
"Thats my secret" said Tom laughing, 81
don't mind telling you, however. 1t is to go
to Edith Castleton."
IL presume you feel particularly interested
in the young lady?'
mot at ALL But told her 1 would send
her valentine. Shan't you conform to the
custom of the day?'
Il had not thought of il" said John, thought
fully, "but believe will"
"And what fair lady will you select as the
recipient" ?" .,..--..
"You remember the poor seamstress who
occupies an attic in the house :"
Eyes, have met her on the stairs two OF
three times"
"she looks as if times were hard with her
1 1 think I'il send her valentine"
"And what good do you think it will dc
her ?" asked Stacy, in surprise.
"Wait till you see the kind OF a valentine
will send"
Wilbur went to his desk, and taking out 6
sheet of note paper, drew from his portmonait
a ten dollar bill, wrapped it in the paper, OF
which he had previously written, "From st
Valentine" and placed the whole 10 an en-
velope. ...s...
"There," said he, "my valentine has cost a
much as yours, and venture to say it will hi
i as welcome"
4 "You are right. wish now had no
bought this costly trife. However, as it i
: purchased, 1 will send it."
The next day dawned clear and frosty. 1
was lively enough for those who sat by com
y Portable fires aud dined at luxurious tables, bu
d for the poor who shared none of these advan
n tages, it was indeed bitter day.
V In an attic room, meanly furnished, sat
=. Young lady, pale and thin. She was cowerin
d over a scanty wood FIRE, the best she coul
/ afford, which heated the room very insufficient
e ly She was sewing steadily, shivering fror
# time to time as the cold blast shook the VIII
dows and found its way through the crevice
= Poor child! Life had very black aspec
for her on that wintry day. She was alon
in the world. There was absolutely no one o
whom she could call for assistance, though Eh
u needed it sorely enough. The thought cam
to her more than once in her discomfort, 81
it worth living any longer ?"
% Plunged in gloomy thoughts, she continue
1n to work. All at once step was heard a
g, cending the staircase which led to her room
nv. of fho
arose in some surprise aud opened it, thinkir
'E' it must be the landlady or ore of the servant
IA She was right. 1t was a servant.
s%e "Heres letter for you that the post-b'
al just brought, Miss Morris"
ln ain ga letter for me l' repeated Helen Morr
in surprise, taking it from the servants han
"Whe can have written to me ?"
"Maybe it's a valentine, Miss" said I
re. girl, laughing. "You know this is Valentino
ng day. More by token, I've got two mys
by this morning. Ones karakter, (caricatut
n so mistress calls it. Just look at it,"
Bridget exhibited highly embellished pi
DID torial representation of female hard at wo
at the washtub, the cast of beauty being q
cidedly Hibernian.
= Helen Morris laughed absentIy, but did n
open her letter while Bridget remained-a
EN- lie to the disappointment of the curious da
sci.
- Helen slowly opened the envelope. A ba
note of ten dollars dropped from it to
on floor.
eco She eagerly read tne leW WorOS ON tne
!. per-"from st. Valentine !"
"Heaven be praised !" she said, folding
md hands gratefully. "This sum will enable
lsg sg to carry out the plan had in view"
Eight years passed away. Eight ye'
with their lights and shadows, their joys q
r,e sorrows. They brought with them the mel
! at voices of little children-they brought W