Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-03-02
JAMES VALENTINE.

What singular tobteau! Three beau
titul girls conVulsed with laughter, and one
plain faced maldea bathed in tears 1t
was St. Valentines Eve Missive after
missive had been brought into the back
parlor at Judge Milford's by the obse
qnlous waiter. Some of these offerings
were large and expensive some tiny and
delicate (; some replete with fiattery; some
redolcnt with pertumery: all eminently
silly.
But none of these had occasoned the
mirth Of the trio, or the griei cf the one.
Some vulgar person bad sent vile carica-
ture to the plain sister, accompanied by
an exaggerated description Of her ugliness
in verse.
1t was qnte painful enough to Jane to
know that she possessed no claim to her
personal beauty Could she have lost sight
of this fact she would have appeaIed DIFF
terenty at times. But her sisters always
managed to bring their own pre5tiness into
such torcible contrast with her plainness,
that she was rarely free from a nervous
sort Of consciousness OF her personal de
fects
But she had good sense and a patient
spirit, which they had not. Still, when
they grew so merry over her solitary Val
entine, she finally burst into tears, in spite
of her efforts to the contrary for Jane
was in the habit of concealing her emo
tions, when wounded and heart scre, until
safely concealed in her own room.
Look 7 exclaimed Isabella, opening
her black eyes to their utmost capacity,
the child is really weeping. Why Jane
you look more like the picture than ever
You would never do for heroine in a
novel, for they are always represented as
Irresistible in tears
Mercy how red your eyes are, ejacu.
lated azure .orbed Clara. You do look
frightful
The poor child can't help being uglyr
interposed Fanny, gazing comp placently in
to the mirror opposite, where her red lips
and auburn ringlets were advantageously
reflected.
That is just what pains me- sobbed
Jane. Because God saw fit to create me
plain, | do not see why | should be made
the but of every coarse jest. | suppose /
have feelings like other people. Should
my faults of temper or omissions of duty
be chosen as the subject of ridicule,
should not complain but to ridicule my
personal appearance, | think, savors of
coarseness aud ignorance
IsabePs black eyes flashed Jane the
youngest Of them all, always so submissive,
always so humble, to burst out so sudden
ly, with so pointed declaration
Mr.. Lee, in the drawing room, wishes
to see Miss Jane announced the servant
at this juncture.
Are you certain he said Jane?' demand
ed Clara.
fYes men, replied the waiter.
FLo.tie is i'll again, no doubt, suggested
Fanny. 'Jane is such an excellent nurse;
and Isabel added, wish cousin Charles
had come to spend the evening in socia-
BILE way. 1t would certainly be very agree.
able, for Charley Lee was a rich, fine look
ing, and intelligent widower and remotely
related TO the Mifords No wonder the
three graces at Milford Hall found cousin
Charles an interesting gentleman, his little
daughter Lottie perfect angel, and his
country seat te restrial Paradise.
Jane loitered on the way to the drawing.
room, striving TO eface all traces of her
recent grief Is Lottie i'll ? interrogated
she as Mr. Lee approached her
No, Jane, he replied, Lott.e is we'll,
but in want