American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-02-15
MY VALENTINE.

MY VALENTINE.
"Oh, how delightful! oh, how en-.
trancing!" I sung and re-echoed the
strain, then turned to my audience
which consisted solely of my aged uncle
who sat in the chimney corner, almos,
enveloped in a wreath of smoke.
crossed the room and unfastened the
hasp of the dianond-paned window and
welcomed the thrush of a wild wind
that blew from the hills with the steam.
ing rain. 1t was a wretched morning
Black bullying clouds doomed over the
dripping, leafless boughs of the tall pop.
lars. -.
The heavy sky seemed oppressive to
me this morning. The throbbings OF
my youthful heart beat hopelessly
against the bars of my cage. Orphaned
early, had lived with my uncle since
childhood in the old farnstead at Wood
ley. The world beyond was fair and
beautiful-so had read and heard
but when would my ''dear thraldrom''
be ended! and my sphere. of vision ex-
tended further thar these quiet Cheshire
lanes?
"D'ye call that song finished, Lis.
siee" my uncle queried-
"No. 1 thought you were not list
ening, uncle. and I might as well be do
ing something else.''
"Iwas listening, lass. but dunno sing
it if it makes you sigh.'
The old tremulous voice recalled nv
wandering thoughts. looked round
at my uncle with a cheerful smile,
flooded by influences of awe, tender
ness and sympathy which no words can
adequately express, no theories thor
oughly explain"
wish it would cease raining.
don't know what shall do if can not
get out. To-day is the thirteenth OF
February. How provoking!"
"What's the matter, my lassa''
"Why, Tomorrow will be st. valen-
tines Day, and I wanted to GO to Stock.
port to buy a valentine"
sis that alp You'd enough sent you
last year; send some o. those back
again" 80
"Oh, no, indeed. 1 have them all
safe in my secret drawer" 1 said, as 1
opened my writing desk and took from
underneath pile of letters, and few
faded treasures.
Like dead rose leaves stirred, they
emitted soft fragrance as 1 turned
them over.
cit may be fine this afternoon" /
said, hopefully; critically surveying the
dreary prospect outside again. "It is
certainly too bad-rain, rain, rain; no
one would venture out in Woodley a
morning like this, except poor Mrs.
Brindle. There she goes across the
field for the doctor to come and see her
poor child; and there, 1 declare, is Miss
Amelia Jane Woodhouse-she must
needs go ont because it is q worse morn
ing than common-but she has an ap-
pointment with Lawyer Twitchett- II
know all about it," run on-my girlish
chatter amuses my UNCLE and oh, if
there isn't Mr.. Blackshaw, uncle, COM
ing down the lane with big umbrella
and small bouquet. .
"Let's see, it's Tuesday; he'll be go
ing on Change. II he calls, you can
ask him to bring you valentine fro
Manchester.
Our neighbor was already in the
garden. 1 flung open the long window
as he closed his umbrella.
"Good morning, Miss Lissie. Would
you like bouquet this morningP"
"very much indeed,' 1 said, accept
ing the choice exotics as he laid them
carefully in my hands.
"There's q Christmas rose amongst
them-the last rose of winter, Mr. Lester.
1 am off to town early this morning.
What have you there, Miss Lissiea'' he
asked quickly, as 1 pushed aside my
old valentines to clear place for the
flowers.
at suppose they are Valentines" 1
said.
"Oh, to-day is the thirteenth. My
little Freddy reminded me of that as
soon as he saw me this morning. He
wants q monster kite for valentine,
SO I suppose 1 must find him one to-
day."
"Lissie has been lamenting the rain
keeping her at home. She wants val
entine," my uncle said.
"Uncle, uncle" protested.
al never sent a valentine in my life,
nor received one, either" Mr.. Black
shaw said, smiling.