Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-02-03
THE STORY OF A VALENTINE.
BY EDWARD EeeLEsroN

WONiN hloBuAaC tnC HhIDtS. III came Ollt
quite incidentally. We were discussing
the woman question. | am "woman' 3
Fighter" Hubeft-the Rev. Hubert Lee.
should say, pastor of the First Church" :"
and, indeed, the only church in Allenville
is not, though flatter myself ] have
made some impression on him. But the
discussion took place in Hubert's own
o Rouse, and wishing to give a pleasant turn
at the end, l suppose, he told me how, a
year and half before, he had "used up"
one voman's rights man, who was no other
than old DR.. Hood, the physician that
) has had charge of the physical health of
Hubert and myself from the beginning.
Unlike most of his profession, the doctor
has always been a radical, and even the
wealth that has come in upon him of late
years has left him quite as much of a
radical, at least in theory, as ever before.
Indeed the old doctor is not very incon-
sistent in practice, for lie has educated his
only daughter, Cornelia, to his own pro-
fession, and believe she took her NJ. D.
with honors, though she has lately spoiled
her prospects. But socially he has be-
come little more aristocratic, seeking an
exclusive association with his wealthy
neighbors. And this does not look very
well in one who, when he was poor, was
particularly bitter on "a purse proud
hllobOClhCJ. SupDOSC ltlb lUlS.
Certainly did, and therefore enjoyed the
conversation that he repeated to me all the
more.
1t seems that my friend Hubert had been
away at the seminary for three years, and
that having at last conquered in his great
battle against poverty, and having gained
an education in spite of difficulties, and
having supplied city church acceptably
for some months during the absence of the
pastor in Europe, he came back to our ma
tive village to rest on his laurels a few
weeks, and decide which of three rather
impecunious calls he would accept When
just about to leave he took it into his head
for some reason, to "drop in" on old
Doctor Hood 1t was nine o'clock in the
morning, and the doctors partner was
making morning calls while the old gentle
man sat in his Cfflce to attend to any that
might seek his services. This particular
morning happened to be an unfortunate one,
for there were no ague-shaken patients to be
seen, and there was not even case of minor
surgery to relieve the tediousness of the
morning Office hour. Perhaps it was for
this reason, perhaps it was for the sake of
old acquaintance, that he gave Hubert a
most cordial reception, and launched at
once into sea of vivacious talk Cor
nelia who was in the Office, excused her
self on the ground that she was examining
for her final examination, and seated her
self at window with her book.
az am afraid take your time, doctor
said Hubert.
80 no, am giving up practice to my
partner, DR.. Beck, and shall give it all to
him in year or two"
"To him and Miss Cornelia?" uueried
Hubert, laughing. For it was currently
reported that the young doctor and Cornelia
were to form a partnership in other than
professional affairs.
Either because he wished TO attract her
attention, or for some other reason, Hubert
soon managed to turn the conversation to
the subject of womans rights, and the old
doctor and the young parsOn were soon
hurting at one another all the staple, and
now somewhat stale, arguments about
woman's fitness and woman's unfitness for
many things At last, perhaps because he
was a little concerned, Hubert said:
"Now, doctor, there was queer thing
happened to a student in my class in the
seminary. l don't suppose, doctor, that
you are much interested in a love story
but would just like to tell you this one
because l think you dare not apply
your principles to it in every part The
ories often fail when practically applied
you know"
go on, Hu, go on; I'd ike to hear the
story. And as for my principles, they'll
bear applying anywhere " and the old
doctor rubbed his hands together con
fidently.
"This friend of mine, Henry Gilbert,
said Hu, was, like myself, poor. A long
time ago, when he was a boy, the son o.
a poor widow, the lot on which ht
lived joined at the back the lot ON which
lived Mr.. Morton, at that time thriving
merchant, now the principal capitalist il
that part of the country. AS there was {
back gate between the lots, my friend wa!
the constant playmate from earliest child
hood of Jennie Morton. He built hel
play y-houses out of old boards, he nodded
clay bricks for her use, and carved tiny toys
out of pine blocks for her amusement
AS he grew larger, and as Jennie's fathel
grew richer, and come to live in greatel
style, Henry grew more shy. But by al
the unspoken language of the eyes thu
two never failed to make their unchang
ing regard known to each other.
Henry went to college early. AT vaca
tion-time the two met. But the growing
difference in their social position
could not but be felt. Jennie
friends were of a different ract
from his own. Her parents never though
of inviting him to their entertainments
And if they had, a rusty coat and a lacl
of money to spend on kid gloves would
have effectually kept him away He wa
proud. This apparent neglect stung him
1t is true that Jennie Morton was all the
more kind. But his quick and foolisl
pride made him fancy that he detected
pity in her kindness. And yet all thii
only made him determined to place him
self in position in which he could asl
her hand as her equal. But you do no
understand, doctor, as do, how irresisti
BILE is this conviction of duty in regard tc
the ministry. Under that pressure my
friend settled it that he must preach. AnC
now there was before him a good ten years
of poverty at least. What should he dc
about it?
I'm his extremity he took advice of
favorite theological professor. The pro
fessor advised him not to seek the hand o
rich girl She would not be suited t
the trials of minister's life. But finding
that Henry was trm in. his opinion tha
this sound general principle did not in tn
least apply to this particular case, the pro
fessor proceeded to touch the tenderes
chord in the young mans heart. He toll
him that it would be ungenerous and il
some sense dishonorable, for him to take
woman delicately brought up into tn
poverty and trial incident to a minister
life. If you understood, sir, how morbi'
his sense of honor is, you would no
wonder at the impression this suggestion
made upon him. To give up the ministr
was in his mind to be traitor to duty an'
10 God. To win her, if he could, was +
treat ungenerously her whose happines
was deareT to him thousand times NOR
than his own"
81 hope he did not give her up" sai
the doctor,
Yes, he gave her up, in double spiri
of medieval self sacrifice. Lookin
toward the ministry, he surrendered hi
love as some of the old monks sacrifice
love, ambition, and all other things TO cor
science. Looking ut her happiness, h
sacrificed his hopes in u more than knigh
ly devotion 10 her welfare The knight
sometimes gave their lives He CAV
more.
"a For three Vears ha did not trust hin