National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1867-04-26
The Valentine:
AND WHAT CAME OFT.
BY REV. HENRY BACON.

A cheerful group gathered around
a certain table, where the bright So
lar lamp ditfused its brilliance. and
the ample CRATE its warmth. The
windows were curtained, Ii {
doors were closed, and no
impeachment was II t he way
OF the enjoyment OF happy eve
ning,-those "fireside enjoymcnts
and intimate delights" that Cowper
celebrates as belonging peculiarly to
winter. The storm pelted against
the windows only to increase the
sense of security, which was only
modified by the remembrance Of the
many who were exposed to the wilu
/ severity of the season.
/ 1t was February III leap year, and
| the conversation turned OH yalcn-
tines, and many story was told to
illustrate the maxim, "Many true
word is spokenin Jest" This prompt
ed the composition in which these
! friends mutually celebrated each
others charms and it was remark
ed that leap year must have some
/ peculiar gifts for the ladies, because
they cNcelled so greatly III their eff
forts that evening, and it was rath-
cr that the triumph of the "woman's
rights movement might take away
the glory of this year, when chival.
~ is slever>ed, and woman is the gal.
/ liant.
Come, Magga," said Herbert.
one OF the company, "try your hand
ut sOmctl ing more serious. Your
rhymes ring pleasantly as sleigh
bells, and they run as smoothly as
Mrs. Nichols ice cream. Come, be
serious, ana see what will become
of it.
"What can do that's serious ?"
crleG Magga, with one of her little
hysteric laughs.
"Nothing, of course, but in the
way OF making the poetry good
was the rely didn't mean any
thing more"
Didn't YOU : But who shall |
write to' | must have somebody
in my mind--'
"Hearty YOU mean
There, now said Magsa. "you
are serious"
"Yes. q little bit. Write to the
ONLY one who ever proved what a
garden of roses can bloom inStanter
on Your cheeks. You remember the
introduction, don, you
"Dou't mention II !! clled Mag9a,
with both hands uplifttd aud laid
Oh her orims0ning face. "N lat III
nature made me blush so There
was no reason for it, and | was
heartily ashamed of It,"
The heart don't always have
reason for the roses it makes but
come, YOU are now in the best mood
for Il good effort. You'll get of Il
sparkling thing, | know every lin :
will fash wit and every idea be
poetry
Magga took her pencil again, and
it flew over the paper. The hAes
multiplied, and the deep blush that
lately ovcrspread her face sent its
warmth to the imagination and
though she did not dream he would
ever know it, yet it was some com
fort to think ne would have Il better
specimen of her ability than WAS
given when she received him at the
introduction with such confusion.
The poem was soon finished. 1t
was rare effort. and was read to
the group to the delight of all. a
young minister was its hero, and
and capitally i. hit off the perpleAi-
ties of such an official III Il marriage
able condition, and the anXieties of
the mamaS who had daughters ad-
mirably fitted to divide the duties
OF the parish with him.
Copy and send it y was the gen.
eral response when the reading was
finished, not one surprising the
rhyme would outlivc St. Valentines
day.
The missive was sent, mailed i'll
a city where it was not written. and
with the mirth of the season the
little incident which occ asioncd that
poem was forgotten.
Another quiet evening was grant
ed to nearly all ot the same group
in the same cheerful room. Books
maps, periodicals writing and sew
ing material, told how diversified
were the intentions of the grOul
gathered about the fight on til,
round table. But as Il Jest or ;
story will sometimes enlivcn Il Who'll,
circle OF friends and cause work Il
be laid aside for plag, so on this oc
casion II fountain VAS opened, where
Hagar-likc, they thought there wa!
none. The lively conversation RAJ
all sorts Of rounds, till ut lcngtl
the subject of valentines was intro
duccd, and each one had stories t,
tell of the late season.
"Magga,' said Herbert, "what d,
you think became OF you,sp
She started ut the recollection O
the poem she had written, and tn
idea that she might possibly be d,
tectcd was real distress. Sh
seemed to doubt for y moment whetl
er Herbert had sent il as she d
, rected, and she breathed more free
> ly when he seriously assured he
that he had done all her command
Then came up the discussion col
ccrning the ways In which the or
! gin Of such missivc might b
I traced ont, but Magg Is heart wa
stout against them az.