The Shasta courier., 1870-03-05
SH ASIA COU RIER.
WHAT CAME OF A VALENTINE.

One the evening of the 18th of Feb
ruary 1850, two young men sat in eom-
footably furnished room in New York
boarding house. A bright fire glowing in
the CRATE, we'll chosen engravings adorned
the walls, and bright light was diffused
abost the room from an argand brsn5,
Let me introduce the occupants Of the
apartments as Tim Stacy and John Will
bur, young men of rs or thereal o Its,
who were known in business circles az
Stacy & Wilbur, .retal dry goods dealers,
No. = Broadway They had not been ip
business long, but were doing unusually
well. They had taken apartments together,
one Of which is now presented to the read
| er
Has it occurred to you, Wilbur asked
his partner, removing his cigar and knock
ing away the ashes, to morrow is St. Val
entries day.
Yes, thought of it this afternoon, as
| was walking up from the store
So did l, and to some purpose, too, as
| will show you
Tom Stacy went to the drawer and drew
cut gorgeous valentine, an elaborated
combination of hearts, doves, etc.
What do you suppose gave for that 2
he asked.
don't know, I'm sure. 1t appears to
be very elegant
1t cost ten dollars
'Whewr whistled Wilbur 1t strikes
me you are either very cxtravagant or very
devoted. May know what fair damsel
is to be made glad by the rece. pit of this
elegant missive.
That's my secret said Tom, laughing
Il don't mind telling you, however. It's
to 90 to Edith Casteton'
l presume you feel particularly tier
ested in the young lady,?
Not at all But told her | wou
send valentine ct la VOLTA Shant you
conform to the custom of the day.
| had not thought of it, said John
thoughtfully, but | believe will
And what fair lady will you accept as
the RECIPIENT
You remember the poor seamstress
occupies an attic iu the house?
'Yes-I have met her on the stairs two
or three times
She looks as if times were hard with
her. | will send her valentine
And what good do you think it will DO
her ? asked Stacy, in surprise.
Wait until you see the kind of valen-
tine will send.
Wilbur went to his desk, and taking out
sheet Of note paper, drew from his port
monnie SO bill. wrapped it in the paper,
on which he had previously written, From
St Valentine, and placed the whole in an
envelope
There, sid he, my valentine has cost
as much as yours, and venture to say it
will be as welcome
You are right. / wish now had net
bought this costly trife 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
the advantages. it was indeed bitter day.
In an attic room, meanly furnished, sat
young girl, pale and thin She was cow
ering over a scanty wood fire, the best she
could afford, which heated the room very
insufhciently. She was sewing steadily,
shivering from tue to time as the cold
blast shook the windows and found its way
through the crevces
Poor child Life had very black as
pect for her on that winter day She was
Il IL IL L. Il.
no one on whom she could call for assistance,
though she needed it sorely enough The
thought came to her NOR, than once in her
discomfort. Is it worth while living any
longer?' But she recoied from the sin OF
suicide. She might starve to death, but
she would not take the life that God had
given her. Plunged in gloomly thought
she continued to work. All ut once a step
was heard ascending the staircase which
led to her room. Then there was knock
at the door She arose in some surprise
and opened it, thinking it was the land
lady or one of the servants.
She was right. 1t was servant.
Here's letter for you that the post boy
brought, Miss Morris
A letter Tor me +! repeated Helen Nor
ris, in surprise, taking it from the servants
hand Why who can have written to me 2
Maybe its valentine, Iliss, said the
girl. laughing. You know this is Valen
tines day More by token, I've got two
myself this morning. Ones karakater
(caricature :? SO mistress calls it. just look
at it.
Bridget displayed highly embelished
pictorial representation of female hard at
work at the wash-tub, the cast Of beauty
being decidedly Hibernian.
Helen Morris laughed absently, but did
not open the letter while Bridget remained
"a little to the disappointment of that
curious damsel
Helen slowly opened the envelope. A
bank note for ten dollar fell to the floor.
She eagerly read the few words on the
| paper--s From St. Valentine