Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-02-26
ST. VALENTINE AT THE CAPITAL.

HOWEVER exciting debates may be at
times Senator usually has to endure
great deal of dullness. There must be
long hours of listening to prosy speeches
in an atmosphere the reverse of invigor-
ating; so, however enthusiastic his in
terest in causes pending may be, his at
tention is apt to wander, as did the
attention of certain Senator during &
session shortly after the opening of Con-
gress in the year 49,. s
The Senator had headache and the
voice of the speaker on the other side of
the Senate Chamber droned eXasperating.
ly on and on concerning some financial
question about which the listener cared
not two straws. He actually found him.
self wondering at the people in the gal
lery who sat hearing in immovable
patience and who doubtless, as the Sena.
tor said to himself, vexedly, knew no
more of the matter in debate than they
did of the secret of the Sphinx. The
Senator looked them over for the want
of better occupation. There were "all
kinds and sorts of people," young and
old, elegant and scedy, curious and care
less, ignorant and blase-an uninterest.
ing set enough. The Senator was about
giving up his inspection with yawn of
WEAKNESS when his eye Unexpectedly
fell on lady's face and was instantly
fixed in admiration. The lady sat two
or three rows back, wore a heavy dark
brown cloak and bonnet and veil that
shaded her face; but the face itself was
one for a painter-a face beautiful in
outline and of pure, clear pallor, re-
lieved by the faint gold of ripply hair and
wonderful dark-gray eyes holding an ex-
preston which caused the Senator to
murmur, half-involuntarily
GA Marguerite! The very ideal of a
Margueritem
Forgetting that there was such thing
as debate going on, the Senator became
rapt in contemplation of the face in the
gallery, which contemplation was all the
safer because its owner was utterly un-
conscious of his existence and was alb
stractedly gazing at the railing before
her, rousing herself now and then to
respond to some remark made by another
lady at her side. Whether the time was
! long or short before the two rose and
began to move toward the door the Sena-
tor did not calculate, but as they started
he started too, and was fastening out,
when he ran almost into the arms of q
gentleman entering. The latter ex-
claimed:
Confound- Why, my dear fellow!
How are you? Game on for nothing in
the world but to see you. Come round
to my hotel and talk over matters lit
tie"
The Senator groaned inwardly, but
there was nothing for it but to comply.
The gentleman was "political sup
porter" of his, and what were Margue-
rites to political supporters?" But the
M. O.. was a strangely unsatisfactory
companion during the rest of the day,
and caused his indefatigable friend some
uneasiness in regard to his " soundness"
on certain points That night he dreamed
of nothing but Marguerite, and during
the next few days he watched feverishly
for her re-appearance in the galleries.
Who could she have been?" he asked
himself distractedly, after week of
vain expectation, adding, hopelessly, as
he tossed his cigar into the crate, !" It's
more than likely shall never see her
again" 49,,
1T seemed as If this melancholy predie-
ton would come true, for week passed
without his having a glimpse of his in
amorata. Finally, during an evening de-
bate of unusual interest. in which he was
taking an active part, and just in the
midst of somewhat heated speech of
his own, he became aware of PAIR of
gray eyes looking down at him from the
gallery. ere.
The effect was nearly disastrous. The
Senator, who was still a young man, and
not very self-possessed, stammered and
flushed like a school-boy, and brought
his remarks to sudden close.
He sat down, indignant with himself,
but unable to keep his eyes from the face
/ hut n ~ aft Al a sayao tla
lady, in the same dress, and with the same
companion. Tonight he got a nearer
view of the face, and thought it more
lovely than ever. rr --~Ts.s
But his opponents in the question of
the day had, no mind to leave him in
peace, and the dazed M. @. was presently
brought to his feet by smart philippe
from the opposite side of the chamber
He answered hotly, got sharp response,
and a contest of words ensued, in which
our Senator came off victor, but which
so excited him that he forgot for awhile
the lady in the gallery, When he did
look for her she had disappeared.
She did not visit the Senate Chamber
again; and the holidays came, during
which the Senator, "not being a man of
family es he, said, rather dOlefully, to
his friends, remained In Washington.
He was popular in society, and the sea
son was very gay, but he had never been
so discontented in his life. He spent
much of his time in collecting varlons
pictured conceptions of GOethe's Mar
guerite, with which he stored his private
portfolio. IaaG sfaEos
He was glad when work commenced
again but In spite Of all his efforts 70 the
contrary, he lound himself continually
noting the costumes and faofs of people
nrHrFF rra 4sH