The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1864-04-21
WHAT CAME OF A VALENTINE.

IOTldUly lutIllSuCu 1OVuA - 80 % 5-''
York clearinghouse. A bright IRE
glowed in the CRATE, we'll chosen engra
wings adorned the walls, and bright
light was ditfused about the room from
an Argand burner.
Let me introduce the occupants Of the
apartment as Tom Stacy and John
Wilbur, young men oftwenty-fve or
thereabouts, whoever known in busin
css circles as Stacy / Wilbur, retail
drygoods dealers, No-Broadway.
They had not been in business long,
but were already doing unusually well
They had taken apartments together,
one Of which is now presented to the
reader.
"Has it occurred to you, Wilber" ask
ed his partner removing his cigar, and
knocking away the ashes, to o-morrow is
st. Valentines day %
.Ycs, thought Of it this afternoon,
as | will show YOU"
Tom Stacy went to drawer ard
and drew outa gorgeous valentine, an
elaborate combination Of hearts, doves,
etc.
"What do you think l gave for ,ha,?"
he asked.
II don't know Tn sure. It appears
to be very elegant"
ut cost me ten dollars
"Whew - whis,led Wilbur. ~
stricks me you are very cxtrasagan, or
very devoted. May I know what fair
Lamscl is to be made glad by the. re
ceipt Of this elegant missive p
"That's my secret" said Tom, laugh
ing.
Il don't mind telling you however,
"It's to go to Edith Cas,leton."
II presume you feel particularly in
tcrested in the young lady p
"Not at all. But told her l would
send her vale, tine ct u yolta! Shan,
you conform to the customs Of the
day p
II had not thought Of it, said John
though,fully "but believe l WILL"
"And what fair lady will you select
As the recipient p
"You remember the poor scamstress
who occupies an attic in the house,
"Yes, have met her on the stairs
two or three times
sShe looks as if times were hard with
her.
II think TIL send her valentine"
"And what good do you think it
will do her ?" asked Stacy, in surprise.
"Wait Ill. you see the kind Of valen-
tine will send"
Wilbur went to his desk, and taking
out a sheet Of notepapcr drew from his
portcmonnaic a ten dollar bill, wrapped
it in the paper on which he lad previ-
onsly written, "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. ! wish now had
not bought this costly trltle. Howev-
er, as it is purchased | will send it,
The next day aawnea clear and fros
ty. 1t was lively enough for those who
sat by comfortable fires and dined at
luxurious tables, but fer the poor who
shared none of these advantages it was
indeed bitter day.
In al attic room, neatly furnished,
sat a young girl. pale and thin. She
vas covering over scanty wood fire
the hes. she could sflord, which heated
the room very insufiiciently. She was
sewing steadily, skiverlng from time to
as the cold blast shook tho windows
and found its way through the crevices.
Poor child Life had very black
aspect for her on ,hat.wintcr:day. She
was alone in the world. There was al.
solutcley no one on whom she could
call for assistance, though she needed
it sorely enough. The thought came
to her more than once in her discom.
fort els it worth while living any Ion
ger p But she recoiled from the sin OF
suicide. She might starve to icalh,
but she would not take the. life that
God had given her.
Plunged in gloomy thought she con-
tinued to work. All at once step was
heard ascending the staircase which led
10 her room. Then there was knock
at tho door. She arose in some sur.
prise and opened il, thinking it must be
the landlady or one Of the servants.