The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-04-06
0ST. VALENTINES DAT IN TIL
MORNING."
BY NARY KYLE DALLAS.

IT beg your pardon, SIR" said our
colored waiter" but will you do me the
extreme favor of directing an envelope
for me?"
Certainly, Abbott" 1 answered.
"What is it-a Valentine p
For Valentines Day was close at hand,
and caught CLEAN of color in the
folded paper he held III his hand.
eyes, SIR" replied Abbott. ''It is q
Valentines comic Valentine, sir. Cook
has been taking too many airs of late,
shrinking remarks that l consider
personal, sir, and it appears to me, sir.
that she ought to be took down peg,
sir, if you'll excuse me for making use
of such a vulgar expression, sir. And
this, sir, fancy will do it."
And with flourish" Abbott spread
before me a cheap Valentine upon which
was the counterfeit presentment of a
very fat woman with a rubicund coun-
tenance, under which was these graceful
lines:
"Oh my goodness what's the matter'
Every day you get fatter and fatter.
II you should fatten any more.
You won't be able 10 get through the door"
Poor cook p said 1. ''Are you not
afraid of hurting her feelings, Abbott ?"
'No, sir" replied Abbott, with great
candor ''That is exactly what wish to
do, sir. She is always hurting mine,
eR."
'sIll direct it for you, Abbott" said
I. 'By the way, what is cooks name ?"
Hannah Ann Dutton, sir" replied
Abbott. 'Thank you, SIR"
With this he laid yellow envelope ct
my elbow, bowed, and withdrew.
As he closed the door, took from
beneath q newspaper Valentine I had
been at work upon when he entered-an
original poem Of tender nature, written
upon paper with an embossed border of
flowers, cupids and doves, with two
Romeo and Juliet-looking lovers in
balcony at the head of the sheet. The
poem was completed; thought it very
fine. felt that it expressed my senti-
ments. I inclosed it in an envelope,
which was adorned in the same symbolic
manner, and was about to direct it to
Miss Hetta Lennox, when / remembered
that this envelope was too delicate for
public view and the rude hands of the
carrier. A more ordinary one must
cover it. 1 stretched out my arm to-
ward the pigeon-hole of my desk, which
contained my large envelopes, and in
doing 30, knocked over an ink. bottle. A
black stream swept over my desk, but by
the prompt sacrifice of my pockethand-
kerchief 1 stayed it before it reached the
door. Nothing was injured but Abbott's
yellow envelope. Having consigned
this to the waste-basket, / supplied its
place With one Of my own. and carefully
directed both epistles, stamped them, and
rang for Abbot, who carried them to the
box ct the corner, after Remaining that
the change Of envelopes would give him
great satisfastion, inasmuch as COOK
would expect something grand" in en-
inclosure like that. This reminded me
that my monogram was ON the seal Of
these envelopes. However, / was not
really anxious that Hetta should not
guess from whence my missive came,
and cook would probably not be able to
descipher old English letters. Il was
inst a veil. Then lit my cigar, and
dreamed Of Hetta Lsnnox all the after
DON.
Later on, / met Abbott in the hall.
ssIt's conc sir; and she's got it." he
remarked, gIsefully. Nov expect
she'll cone down soon.
shs cane up instsad. Never before,
within NJ memory, had l seen that 70
tunl and rosy cook Of ours asoend The
stnirs: but - I took my seat = the dln-
nsr.1ih1e alsne, - Il hspPeasd. fos ny