Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1875-03-12
HETTIE'S FIRST VALENTINE.
From the New York Ledger.

1t was 4 lovers meeting, lovers
parting, when Robert Grey, walking
across the fields in the summer twi-
light, found Hettie Holmes at the stile
waiting tor him. There was no light
in her eyes when they caught sight
of his tall strong figure coming to-
ward her, no smile on her lips when
he stood near her, waiting for her to
speak. Humbly, yet scarcely with
the humility of a lover, he looked
into the face before him, so very
young and fair, SO stern and pale
She looked at his handsome face, his
tall form, and n shudder shook her
from head to foot. Very small, very
slight, there was yet dignity in her
voice and look as she said, in low
tone:
81 came to meet you once more, as
you requested, Robert, but you must
not think to move me from by resolu-
ton"
''You cast me off, them" he SAID,
sadly and very, very bitterly.
''It is your own act!"
"But, Hettie, l am not the only
man who sometimes takes glass
more than is good for him.
"You are the only man that could
work misery to me by drunkenness"
she said, quietly and stcrnly. "It is
an ugly word, Robert, but it is a
true one. You were taken home from
the ball on Thursday evening help
less from intoxication."
'But, Hettic, it was festive time.
All the young men were more or less
under the influence of liquor"
"Not all, Robert. Thank Heaven,
some of the mothers, and wives were
spared that anguish"
"Come, Hettic, don't be too hard
on me. 1t does not happen very
often"
at has happened once too often,
Robert, for you and for me. l told
you | would never marry man who
used liquor, and l will keep my word.
How often you have deceived me, |
will not ask. Thursday evening /
saw YOU"
''It shall not happen again, Hettie;
upon my honor, l shall not!"
"Will you sign the pledge?" she
asked, hope for the first time light
ing her soft brown eyes.
"Bind myself that way! No! You
must trust me, Hettic. think man
signs himself a coward when he puts
his name to such paper, as if he was
afraid of his own resolution.
''Twice you have trusted to your
resolution, and l have trusted you.-
Twice have you failed to keep your
promise"
The young voice was stern and
hard again. But moment later
Hettie spoke in gentler voice.
'Robert," she said, "you have
known me only as nursery COVER
ness to Mrs. Reeds children, an
orphan and alone in the world. Your
love was generous one, for you are
above me in position, have wealth,
and might marry far handsomer
and richer girl than ! am"
81 love you'll" was the simple re-
ply; and there were tears in Hettie's
eyes as she heard it.
because | believe you love me,
Robert, | will tell you what l hoped
might never have been known here.
My home is so far away, all that l
loved there have been dead for three
weary years, and | hoped the same
might be buried forever. But, Robert,
listen, my father died drunkard's
death after living drunkard's life
for fourteen years. / can remember,
though dimly, handsome house, my
mother handsome and happy, we'll
dressed, with every comfort within
her reach. can well remember the
gradual downfall from one home to
another, each one poorer than the
last, the warm comfortable clothing
growing shabbicr and shabbier, the
bountiful table growing more and
more scanty. Worst of all, Robert,
child as l was, l could see the change
from a noble, upright manhood to the
brutality ofa drunkard. have seen
my mother covering under blows,
while shrank and shivered in a
hidden corner. have seen little
brothers and sisters, one after another
laid in rude coffins, victims of want
and suffering. have seen my moth
er die, bidding me care for the drivel.
ing, prematurely old man, falling
into his second childhood from drink.
The end came, when he died raying
in the madness of delirium tremens,
and when l turned my back upon his
grave made VOW to my heart that