The weekly pioneer and Democrat., 1864-03-18
WHAT CAME OF A VALENTINE,

On the evening OF the 18TH or teDruary,
1850, two young men sat in comfortably
furnished room in large New York board.
ing house A bright fire glowed in the
CRATE, well chosen engravings adorned the
walls, and bright light was diffused about
the room from an Argand burner.
Let me introduce the occupants of the
apartment as Tom Stacy and John Wilbur,
young men of twenty-five or thereabouts,
who were known in business circles as
Stacy IL Wilbur, retail! dry goods dealers,
No. - Broadway. They had not been
doing business long, but were already do
ing unusually well. They had taken apart
ments together, one of which is now pre-
sented to the reader.
Has it occurred to You, Wilbur" asked
his partner, removing his cigar, and knock
ing away the ashes, tomorrow is St.
Valentines day ?"
eyes, thought of it this afternoon, as
! was walking up from the store"
$50 did l, and to some purpose, too, as
| will show you
Tom Stacy went to drawer and drew
cut a gorgeous valentine, an elaborate
combination of hearts, doves, etc.
"What do You think gave for that? ?"
he asked?
q don't know, I'n sure 1t appears to
he very elegant
g 1t cost me zen dollars "
"Whew!' whistled Wilbur. sit strikes
me you are either very extravagant or very
devoted. May know what fair damsel is
elegant missive?''
"That's my secret said Tom, laughing.
II don't mind telling you, however. It's
to go to Edith Castleton
81 presume you feel particularly inter-
ested in the young lady ?'
"Not at all Bat told her I would
send her q valentine, et Ia cola! Shan't
you conform to the custom of the day"
Il had not thought of it," said John,
thoughttully, "but believe I will"
'And what fair lady will you select as
the recipient?'
You remember the poor semastreSs
who occupies an attic in the house ?"
"Yes, have met her on the stairs two
or three times" ..a
"She looks as if times were hard with
her think I'll send her valentine"
"And what good do you think it will do
AOl h>hSu CtdCy, III surprise.
"Wait til! You see the kind of valentine
| will send"
Wilbur went to his desk, and taking out
sheet OF note-paper, drew from his port
monaie ten dollar bill, wrapped it in the
paper, on which he had previously writ
ten, From St. Valentine" and placed
the whole in an envelope
There" said he, "my valentine has
cost as much as yours, and / venture to
say it will be as welcome"
You are right l wish now l had
not bought this costly triHe. However.
as it is purchased, | will send it,"
The next day dawned clear and frosty.
1t was lively enough for those who sat by
comfortable fires and dined at luxurious
tables, but for the poor who shared none
of these advantages it was indeed Bit
ter day.
In an attic room, meanly furnished, sat
a young girl, pale and thin. She was
covering over seanty wood fire, the
best she could afford, which heated the
room very insufficiently. She was sewing
steadily, shivering from time to time as
the cold blast shook the windows and
found its way through the crevices.
Poor child! Life had very black as
pect for her on that winter day. She was
alone in the world. There was absolutely
no one on whom she could call for assist
anee, though she needed it sorely enough.
The thought came to her more than once
in her discomfort, els it worth while liv-
ing any longer ?" But she recoiled from
the sin OF suicide. She might starve to
death, but she would not take the life that
God had given her.
Plunged in gloomy thought she contin.
ued to work. All at once a stem was
heard ascending the staircase which led to
her room. Then there was a knock at the
door. She arose in some surprise and
opened it, thinking it must be The land-
lady or one of the servants.