Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-03-09
TWO VALENTINES,

glowed in the CRATE, well-chosen en-
cravings adorned the walls, and a
bright light was ditfused about t Z
room from an Argand burner.
Let me introduce the occupants of
the apartment as Tom Stacey and
John Wilbur, young men of twenty
five or thereabout, who were known
in business circles as Stacey & Will
bur, ie all dry goods dealers, No. -
Broadway. They had not been in
business long, but were already do
iug unusually well. They had al
ready taken apartments together, one
Of which Is now presented to the
reader.
"Has it occurred to you, Wilbur"
csked his partner, removing his ci-
gar and knocking away the ashes,
''that tomorrow is St. Valentines
Day?"
"Yes; thought of it this after
noon as | was walking up from the
store"
$50 did l; and to some purpose,
too, us | will show you"
Tom Stacey vent to a drawer and
drew ont gorgeous valentinc-an
elaborate combination OF hearts,
doves, etc.
"Wha, do you think l gave for
that?" he inquired.
81 don't know. 1t appears to be
yer. elegant"
SIT cost me ten dollars"
"Whew" whistled Wilbur. at
strikes me you are either very devo-
ted or very extravagamt. May l en-
quirc what fair d;lnl>el is to be made
= ad by the receipt of this elegant
missive?"
CHATS my secret" said Tom,
lau.hing. IL don't mind telIin. you,
however. It's to 60 to Edith Castle
ton"
81 presume You feel particularly
Interested in the young Lady,"
"Aul ut all. But told her thar
would send her il Valentine, ct ku or
M. Shln'l you conform to the GUS
toin OF the day:
81 had not thought Off, said John
'h"ughlfully, "bul now | believe |
will"
"And what fair lady shall you Sc
lect us the reclplent?"
"You relnenber the poor seam
stress who occupies an attic i'll the
huuSe?"
"YcS; | have met her on The steps
TWO or three times"
"She looks as if times were hard
with her l think | will send her Il
valentine"
"And what good do you think it
will do her." asked Stacey in sur
prise.
"Wait till you see what kind of
valentine | will >enn."
Wilbur wen, to his desk, and, ia
king out Il sheet of paper, drew from
his portclnonnaie Il ten dollar bill,
wrapped it up in the paper, Oh which
he had previously written, "From
ST ' alcntimc," and placed the whole
III IN envelope.
"There," said he, "ny valentine
ha> cost us much as yours, and ven
lure to say it will be us welcome"
"You are right. wish now that
had not bought this costly tritle.
However, rs it is purchased, | will
eend it,"
The next day dawned clear and
frosty. l. was lively enough for
those who sat by comfortable fires
and dined at luxurious tables; but to
the poor, who shared none of these
advantages, it was indeed bitter
day.
In an attic-room, meanly furnish
ed, sat young girl, pale and thin.
She was covering over scanty
wood tire-the best she could afford
which heated the room very insult
iicicntly. She was sewing steadily,
shivering from time to time as the
cold blast shook the window and
found its way through all the crew
ices.
Poor child! Life had very black
aspect for her on that intry day.
She was alone in the world. There
was absolutely no one on whom she
could call for assistance, though she
needed it sorely enough. The
thought came to her more than once
in her discomfort: "Is it worth
while to 1--we any longer?" But she
recoilcd from the sin of suicide. She
might starve to death, but she would
not take the life God had given her.
Plunged in gloomy thought, she
continued to work. All 1T once Il
step was heard ascending the stair
case which led to her room. Then
there was "a knock on the door. She
arose in some surprise and opened
it, thinking it must he the landlady
or one OF the servants.
She WAS right. 1t was one of the
servants.
''lIrrc'S letter for you which the
poSt,bo has just brought Miss Nor
uS."
"A letter for m.!n' repeated Helen
Morris, in surprise, taking it from
the servants hand, "who can have
written to me?"
Maybe it's Il valentine, Miss"
said the glrl, laughing. You know
this is Valentines day. More by to.
ken, I've got TWO myself this morn
ing. Ones karaktcr (caricature?)
SO mistress calls it. Just lock at It,"
Bridget displayed IL highly embcl.
li>hed pictorial illustration of Il te-
male hard at work ut the wash-tub,
the cast OF beauty being decidedly
lIibrrniin.
Helen Morris laughed absently,
but did not open the letter while
Bridget remained-a little to the dis
appointment Of that curious dam
sci.
Helen slowly opened the letter.
a bank-note tor ten dollars dropped
from it to the floor.
She eagerly read the few words on
the paper: "From St. Valentine"
"IIeaven be praised" laid she,
folding her hands gratefully. "The
sum will enable me to carry out the
| ,J,,, I b.,l -, ,;.,,v :,