Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-08-07

HtNeT seen tneuleT, ulu NOT know lne
inside Of museum, was not even aware
what q valentine was till John one Jan
uary evening was telling of his last
years experience in sending a valentine
to little crippled girl with whose
mother he boarded II was new and
bright idea to Melindy. Her life had
with none of lifes foliations or blossom
ings; but she had keen love of the
beautiful, as yet half wakened and un-
fed. She loved to watch the scrap of
sky from the kitchen window; she had
loved the whole wide arch in her country
home and here her strongest longing was
for the springing flowers, the cool, fresh
leaves, the gllttering brook she had left
behind. And as February drew near
and the shops glowed and glittered with
gay note-paper and envelopes, costly
valentines and cheap ones, John took
her to meeting early one night and per-
suaded her to 60 by way of the street.
cars, in order TO take a walk down Broad
way and be instructed in the art and
mystery of valentines. don't know if
she really went to meeting at all. | do
not much care. There are other divine
influences at york in this world besides
the ordinary means of grace, and ] am
sure more than one husk.fed citizen that
night got refreshment to his soul quite
unawares out of Melmdy's simple, bright
face, glowing and smiling with child s
delight at the brilliant treasures of the
windows. If she did not get good she
gave it, and that is more blessed, we
know. s
But who shall paint Mr.. Griffln's dis
gust, the next morning, when Melindy,
still absorbed in the novel and splendid
idea of valentines, while pouring out his
coffee at breakfast, stunned him. with
the innocent inquiry:
" Did you ever have valentine, Mr..
Griffingp
The man glared at her He laid down
his knife and fork, and forgot to take the
cup she held out to him.
s"1lll have vslentine!!l" he thun-
dered, with explosive disgust. "Iv Do
you think there is big enough fool in
New York to send me one? A valentine,
indeedl Nasty, eXtravagant, idle, use
less things, Money thrown into the gut
ter Trash stuff! folly! nonsensel Have
you loot Jour svnses, ~ons"nf IT an2-
things it would go into the fire quicker!
Don't be fool, Melindyl"
With which mild remark he seized his
coffee and swallowed it, devoured his
breakfast in silence unbroken save by in
termittent growls, squabbled with his
aOvercoat, kicked his slippers virulently
into the corner, slammed the door be-
hind him and fed down street to his of
flee much as if the idea of some small
pursuant fiend impelled his footsteps.
Truth to tell, Mr.. Griffin once had a
valentine, and more than one, of de-
famatory and abusive character. He sus-
pected always-and perhaps justly-that
they were sent him by clerk whom he
had discharged, as the easiest way of
venting his spite. There was this to be
said in favor of the idea-that the liter
ary part of the missives had been select
ed with an eve to Mr. Griffin's special
failings and meannesses, and inclOsed in
a yellow envelope, to make sure of their
being opened. He felt at once trapped
and insulted, and, when his greedy soul
dwelt on the wasted money those gaudy
billets had cost, it added another element
to his pungent dislike of the whole tribe,
and he swore within himself that if one
ever entered his door again it should
make short passage to the flames.
Melindy was indignant enough; but
she was also wise to know that an angry
man had better be severely let alone,
and she went her way and did her daily
duty, hoping devoutly that she should
have a valentine il old Griffin, as she
irreverently called him, did not; also
feeling a certain surety that one would
appear at its season-John Perkins had
been so pleased with her pleasure, so
eager to find out which style she thought
prettiest. So the day went on. Mr.
Griffin's growls softened to his normal
state of gruffness. John Perkins came
at his usual rate of twice week; the
tiny geranium he had brought Melindy
began to show its chilly pink througi
the rough green buds; and at last the
18th of February rose upon the great
city of New York. 1t has discouragine
effect to take things in this general way
in the vast idea of city, with its thou.
sands of beating, breaking hearts, its
numberless agonies and delights, IFS
deaths, births, tragedies, comedies, that
comprise all heaven and hell within theil
mighty scope. The tiny segment OF
humanity with which we have to deal
dwindles to its germ. How much better
for present purpose 1t is to say the SUI
rose upon our three acquaintances, fol
we are not writing the story of a city
Dul VI JOHu. Oil
Nevertheless, the 18th was a bright day
for everybody, and Mr. Griffin took his
way early to the office, being vexed In
spirit with regard to a certain man whose
credit he feared to be Insecure and who
owed him $4,000 The man was honest
hard working and unfortunate - three
facts of no more account to Mr. Griffir
than his blue eyes, brown hair and
English whiskers. To depressed for this
$4,000 was matter of life and deatl
with him; it was to put all he had to the
hazard of die; but poor Mr.. Griftir
could not risk so much money All The
long way down town he plotted his cam
paign against that luckless man. The
brilliant valentines that drew his unwill
ing eye on either hand affected him as !
red rag does turkey. If he could have
gobbled he would. He did growl hal
audibly, and almost scared a weak-mind
ed old lady on the other side of the ON
nibus out of her little wits. She though
he was crazy, and was afraid to get ou
lest be should follow her, afraid to sta,
| in lest he should attack; so she bore hi
presence in quiver like mold of jell!
| till lie got out, and then almost tainted
| from relief Perhaps he was crazy.
think he suffered from emotional insan
ity myself, l think all insane people
ought to be hung and the wicked one
put into asylums; and there I take m.
stand and leave the patient reader t
classify Mr.. Griffin, All that morning h
hunted his prey like bloodhound. HI
tracked him from one place to another
and followed him up, determined on
personal interview, which, after all, h
failed to. obtain .fL
The day was very mild and Mr.. Griffii
got heated. His head began to. ache
He was as much surprised as a lamp
post could have been to feel a shar
pain in its lantern but he was cowar
ingram and the possibility OF sickness
with loss of time, expense of medicine
doctors bills and watchers startled hin
lie believed in prevention; that siekpes
\ might cost him coffin never came int
his calculations. He was practically a
I utter skeptic, with God IN none of hi
thoughts, but the human aspect of SICK
ness terrified him. He dropped posts
card into the nearest box, telling hi
| oIauly ba oho1ld NOT ha- AOUn again this