davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times., 1896-02-07

pretty valentine reooI,ou ,I.Is oNonIng.
she asked, with n gracious smile.
"Why, yes. I-er-I took the liberty"
"It was very kind of you to remember
me-"
"I-I had seen your picture, F" said Johr
hesitatingly, land thought you were
very-that isl admired it, and-and''-
81 see" said Miss Defoe, with an effect
i've little laugh. "Well, what do you think
of the original?''
Johns face grew very red at this frank
question, but he was equal to the emer
gency.
81 think you're just as pretty as the
picture, Miss Defoe, and-and a LITTLE
prettier, hanged if don't"
Miss Defoe laughed-not q stage "hf
ha," but genuine laugh. Her black eyes
sparkled with humor, and She certainly
deserved the honest compliment.
cts very nice of you to say SO, I'm
sure.'
"Well, mean every word of it, SAID
John, encouraged by his success.
"Do you? Well, there was something
In the Notwithstanding in the way o
verses, continued Miss Defoe. zone coup
let ran like this:
IL L puU uudU you u DC UlUe,
I'd like to be your Valentine.
"Then, of course you meant that also. >
Now John had not read the verses. Ir
fact, he had not known that there were
any verses at all. He had conceived tho
sending of valentine to the leading lady
of the Walkback Dramatic company as
bold but harmless conceit from which ht
would never hear word, but about which
he might weave "a very pretty romance
with which to entertain and surprise his
friends. He looked at Miss Defoe and his
embarrassment returned. Still he was not
a faint hearted young man, and he Gd
mired a woman who could talk like that.
"Did you mean it?" she repeated.
eyes, by gum, did," burst out John,
with honest intensity.
"Did you really, now? Well, if you did,
1 might tell you that I've about decided
to leave the stage for good
"Do you mean that you would-you
would'-
"Take you for n valentine?' interrupt
cd Miss Defoe. 81 will, and right now.''
When the Walkback Dramatic company
left town the next day, the leading lady
was missing. She wrote q note to the
manager, making him present of the
three weeks salary due her and resigning
her position. The wedding took place that
next day, and John Brickley says that,
although it was mistake, he has never
regretted sending that valentine.
SEwELL FORD.
The times., 1896-02-07

said. SO. But business is business. Tho
manufacturers knew that there would be
big demand for this style Of cheap val
entine. So they went to work on the poor
bloomer girl and pictured her in all sorts
of outrageous styles and in all degrees or
exaggerated hideousness. Poor bloomer
grill May her sensitive nature be steeled
against these envious darts.
The male bicyclist gets it, too, from tpe
scoroher to the knickerbockered spindle
shanks. One of the new comics represents
the scorcher as death S head and skeletQp
riding wheel and slaughtering the inro-
cents who cross his path.
''It has become almost mechanical, 'ahe
said to the interviewer. "The designs Il
use do not vary much. 1t is impossible, sof
course, to get anything new. 1 use cam
els hair brush and water colors. Then
you know how very few strokes VIII I'M
ish up valentine"
The new woman also has her share-of
woe in store for her. A score OF freshly de-
signed comics which have been reproduced
almost by the ton lie in wait for her on
the valentine vendors counters, and on
Feb. ii the whole machinery Of the Unit
ed States mail service is put at the dlspo-
sal Of those who wish to send them. All
the eccentricities of up to date fashion aBe
seized upon and exaggerated by the COM
les and made to serve the purpose OF the
anonymous vilifier.
Then there are the scores of people whom
the valentine man has for years regarded
as old standbys. They will not be forgot
ten. The old maid, the dude, the police
man, the loafer, the iceman, the plumber,
all will have their pet foibles and weak
nesses held up to them in distorted fash
ion like the image in an imperfect mirror.
CYRUS SYLVESTER.
The times., 1896-02-07

"Well, what luck?" inquired the lead
| Ing man as the. manager deposited his
dripping umbrella in u corner of the hotel
| corridor.
"Same as usual, d-n poor. Small ad-
vance sales. Probably WON'T have 500 in
| the house tonight"
"Even the weather's against us, dole
fully remarked tho leading man.
"Yes, and everything else Let's go get
drink
And they did.
John Brickley didn't care snap for the
weather. He had said so dozen times that
afternoon to the customers who had come
splashing in out of the wet. Why should
he? In the center of his we'll stocked gro
Cery big salamander stove blazed away
cheerfully, and he was warm and dry.
Besides this, John was something of a
philosopher. So Is any man who has been
successful. 1t comes easy when fortune
smiles. And John considered that fortune
had smiled on him. He had a good busi-
ness, a neat bank account and nothing to
worry him. John helped himself to q cigar
from the showcase, swung himself into
an easy position on the counter and fell
to gazing at a lithograph which hung In
his store window. 1t was picture of
MISS DlauCnO Deioc, lottuiLS lduy VI bLo
Walkback Dramatic company.
"Mighty handsome young lady," John
soliloquized. "Hanged If don't shut up
early tonight and go to see that show"
John continued to gaze at the picture
He had very little else to do, as customers
were scarce
Johns gazing ended In his making an
other determination. He felt quite pleased
and not little astonished with himself
after he had made it, He chuckled fire.
quently as he ate his supper that night.
II wonder what the fellows will say to
thatp" he remarked audibly. Evidently he
had matured a scheme in his mind and
was picturing the surprise of his friends
when he should relate it to them.
John Brickley was quite q favorite
among the young men in town. He went
to Boston several times a year and had
even spent week In New York. No one
doubted that he could have married almost
any girl in the village had he so chosen.
But he didn't choose He said he was going
to look around a little before he got mar
ried.
So John Brickley, being highly satisfied
with himself, was convinced that his
scheme, whatever it was, was brilliant
and original ono. However, it did not in
terfere with his attending the production
of "Fanchon, the Cricket" at the opera
house that evening.
He was there in q front seat and COM
ponent part of the slim audience that
awaited the rise of the curtain.
Behind the footlights there was gloom.
The "histrionic stars were, as local
scene shifter expressed it, "readin the riot
act to the boss" They were making a
combined onslaught on the manager.
Miss Blanche Defoe was just having her
say.
"If the ghost doesn't walk within week,
I'm going to shake the whole business
and that's straight tip. See?" she con-
cluded with an angry stamp of her foot.
"Youl II find the walking bad, retorted
the manager with weak attempt at a
laugh.
Miss Defoe did not consider this ancient
joke worthy of reply, but marched of
The times., 1896-02-07
A VALENTINE PARTY.
Some Novel Ideas That VIII Prove Enter
tanning.

If you are going to have valentine
| party, here are q few hints which may en-
| liven tho evening: You can go in for deco
rations as deeply as you choose and find
| plenty of appropriate symbols that will
| suggest the sentiment of the holiday A
flying Cupid with bandaged eyes may be
suspended from the chandelier.
Roses of deep red, loves own color may
be distributed around as freely as you
choose or as your purse will allow. Drape
the mantel with smilax, caught up with
red ribbons tied in true lovers knots.
Pasteboard hearts pierced by gilt arrows
can be bought or manufactured at home,
and form most attractive decorations. A
pair or two of turtle doves should not be
forgotten, for they add much to the gen.
eral effect.
In pairing off your guests for tho even
ing you can manage to have lot Of fun.
One method which is sure to put every
one in good hUmor and break down all the
barriers of formality Is Us follows:
Hang q cot il doorway between two
rooms. WITH charcoal or ink draw gro-
tesque faee cn ono side and cut holes for
eyes. Let the ladies go into tho room be-
hind the curtain while the gentlemen re-
main in the other. Then let tho ladies
each stand behind tho face on the curtain
and look through the aportures. The men
are then allowed each a chance of guess
ing who is the owner of the eyes which are
peering through at them. The guessers
whisper the name to the unknown fair
one, and If IL is right, she retires and he
has found his partner for the game of
hearts which follows If not, the lady
winks sauoily, and he must try his luck
another time. Underneath the face you
may write something like this:
I'm looking ut you, love,
With eyes that are true. love.
If you guess these eyes are mine,
will be your Valentine.
Another novel way of mating t6ur
guests is to got as many card valentines
as you have guests Have them in dunii-
cate pairs, and put each In an envelope,
one of pair In an envelope for gentle
man, the other in one for o lady, As the
guests arrive hand each an envelope and
let them find the person who has the du-
plioato.
The times., 1896-02-07
ST. VALENTINES DAY.
How 1t Used to Be Celebrated and How
1t Is Now.

1t Is Now.
When we were children, St. Valentines
day ranked with Christmas and Fourth of
July in much anticipated pleasure and in
the simple delights that were attendant
upon the coming of the lovers saint. The
little girl who did not have at least half
dozen valentines to show was considered
very unpopular indeed, and SO strong was
this feeling that parents, fearing lest the
youths Of the neighborhood might not be
blessed with sufficient money to favor ev-
cry little girl and knowing what a disap-
pointment the absence of the postman's
knock would mean to their small daugh-
ters, would prowl out the night before and
buy up paper hearts and gay little Cupids
presiding over verses that breathed of love
and darts rhyming with dove and hearts.
The elder ones regarded the sentimental
side of the affair only and did not mind II
but one missive were received, provided it
was from the one, fact which was gener-
ally speedily discovered, despite the dis
guised handwriting and other mysteries
attached to the delivery of it. Today the
hideously ugly penny dreadfuls and tho
paper stage scenes have given place to
more substantial offerings, and the day Ia
celebrated in quite different manner.
Now large and beautiful boxes, filled
with bonbons and tied with ribbon on
which some sentiment appropriate to the
day is painted, are the gifts generally ex-
changed. A candy Cupid presiding over
bouquet of lovely blossoms, or sprays of
flowers tumbling in artistic disorder from
silver or gold heart or quiver and ar
rows of tiny buds, are all the up to date.
gifts of the modern valentine.
In the country the lads and lasses used
to hang baskets of early spring blossoms
on each others doorbells, or if winter had
fingered until the day of - mating of
birds paper flowers We're sub'.itutcd. To-
day they give valentine, luncheon or
party, and the tables take the shape of
hearts, the candle shades become opening
roses, and a little pink Cupid bearing its
own valentine is the souvenir for the
guests.
The simpler forms of entertaining and
celebrating on every occasion have given
way to the more extravagant and the more
artistic modes, and in nothing is this more
noticeable than in the evolution of the
valentine and the gayeties that mark the
day of which it is the leading feature.
The times., 1896-02-07

WELL, WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE ORIG
INAL?"
haughtily to the back of the stage and sat
down on u trunk.
Just then an usher came in from the
front of the house and asked for Miss De-
foe.
"That's mo, " she said
"Here's package for you, then."
"Now wonder what this is," she said
as she read the address and noticed that
there were no postage stamps on the par
eel.
"Why don't you open it and seer" re-
marked the "leading old lady," who had
just joined her.
"Good idea" and Miss Defoe proceeded
to break the string and tear off the paper
wrapping. A pasteboard box was dis
closed, and on the cover was written:
"From fond admirer."
Miss Defoe took off the cover and lifted
out gorgeous creation of blue satin, silk
cords and paper lace
ga valentine, by all that's tragic" she
exclaimed.
"And a very pretty one, too" said the
leading old lady. "You must have made a
hit, my dear"
Cali up for the first scene," was the
of the valentine and its mysterious sender.
Miss Defoe went on and capered through
the first act as Fanchon with considerably
more spirit than any of the other members
of the cast could muster. She was think
ing of something besides her lines, though.
When the act was over, she took advan-
tage of the wait which the inexperienced
scene shifter caused and sent for the ush-
er who had brought her the valentine. -
"Do you know the person who sent that
package to mep' she asked.
The usher did He knew all about him
and was most happy to give Miss Defoe
oil tho details concerning John Brickley.
He even pointed out to her the unsuspect-
ing John through a peephole In the cur
tain.
. "Como back here after the next act,"
said Miss Defoe to the usher II want you
to take a note to him."
Miss Defoe was a young lady who could
act with great promptness on occasions.
The note was duly delivered, and as
result John Brickley found himself wait
ing in tho parlor of the hotel at 11:15 p.
m. that same night his heart beating
somewhat rapidly, but with determina-
tion to see the thing through.
When the actress swept In, clothed In o
neat fitting tailor made suit, John felt the
last bit Of his self possession slipping
away from him. He had always been free
from embarrassment when In the compa-
ny of any Of the village bellies, but before
this dashing young woman II was differ
ent. Miss Defoe, however, quickly broke
tha Zoe.
"Is it you I have to thank for the very
The times., 1896-02-07
ST. VALENTINE.
He Was Gentle, Charitable and Good, but
He Was Beheaded.


The earliest authorities say that ST.
| Valentino was bishop, gontle, charita-
BILE and benignant, whose tongue was
marvelously persuasive in convincing the
benighted pagans of the errors of their
, ways. He labored hard and earnestly in
his good work, but, alas his zeal did not
suit the pleasure of the authorities, aud
after being cruelty beaten with clubs he
was beheaded. This happened in the reign
; of Marcus Aurelius Claudius, on the 14th
} day of February, somewhere about the
year 270, but after his abrupt taking off
! the canonization of the good bishop follow
ed, and his name has been household
word ever since. 1t is singular circum-
stance that tho new saint took the disease
of epilepsy under his peculiar patronage
during the first of his sanity career, while
now it would appear that his jurisdiction
confines itself exclusively TO the domain of
, the heart
How did the good saint become respon.
sible for the flood of tender sentiment
which is annually poured forth under shell
ter of his venerable name? "A few only of
the reasons will be given. One of the
simplest explanations was that the birds
, selected their mates on Feb. H. This
, theory was popular for some time until a
, heartless naturalist knocked it into smith
, Greens by proving that, as a matrimonial
, season, birds didn't care any more for the
, 14th than for tho 13thOr 18th.
Another reason assigned was that ST.
, Valentine, being man of lovo and char
ity, it was natural to suppose ho would
patronize these virtues. Perhaps the best
solution Is the following: With tho dawn
ing of the Christian era pagan rites, pagan
ceremonies and pagan fcasts began to dis
appear Some of the feasts however, were
merged into Christian holidays. Tho fes-
tival of the Lupercalia was the one on
which the Romans did honor to Pan and
Juno, not only with the banquet the
dance and the DRAMA but by peculiar
ceremony in which the young men drew
from u box of billcts, each inscribed with
maidens' names, each bachelor dovoting
himself for ~ months TO the lady falling
to his lot. In the natural order of events
the Luporcalia became St. Valentines
day, and tho drawing of billets was so
agreeable custom that the youthful blood
rebelled against the annihiation. It was
therefore permitted to continue and from
that time TO this, with more or less varia-
tion to suit the times and the people, st.
Valentine and Cupid have been on very
intimate terms of relationship.
The times., 1896-02-07
It Often Ended Happily.

Valentines day, the young folks in Eng
land and Scotland celebrated the festival.
An equal number of maids and bachelors
came together, and each wrote his or her
name upon separate billet, which was
rolled up and placed in box. Then tho fe-
males drew by lot from the emales' names and
the latter from the names of the females
After this the valentines, as the chosen
ones were called, gave parties to their
friends, each valentine wearing the billet
on his or her sleeve for several days. This
little sport often ended in an engagement
of marriage,
The times., 1896-02-07
To Mistress Bessie.

Go, Cupid, and my sweetheart tell
love her WE'LL
Yes, though she tramples on my heart
And rends that bleeding thing apart,
And though she rolls a scornful eye
On doting me when go by,
And though she scouts at everything
As tribute unto her bring
Apple, banana, caramel
Haste, Cupid, to my love and tell,
In spite of all, love her welll
And, further, say have sled
Cushioned in blue and painted red.
The groceryman has promised
Can "hitch" whenever he goes by.
Go tell her that, and, furthermore.
Apprise my sweetheart that a score
OF other little girls implore
The boon OF riding on that Sled,
Painted and hitched as aforesaid,
And tell her, Cupid, only she
Shall ride upon that sled with mel
Tell her this all, and. further, tell
love her welli
Eugene Field
The times., 1896-02-07
The Valentine Kiss.

In many parts of England and Scotland
It is still customary, as It has been for
many centuries, for young men and wom-
en- to regard their valentine the f1rst per-
son of the opposite sex whom their eyes
behold on the morning of St. Valentines
day, and they have the right to claim the
said valentine with kiss which he or she
Is In honor bound to accord without ~
nstance or romonstranoe Of any kind.
The times., 1896-02-07
THE OLD MAIp-ALwAYs SELLS WELL

THE OLD MAID-ALwAYs SELLS WELL.
But we don't. No, only about 30, 600, 900
Of us indulge in this sort Of thing, and
there Is whole lot Of comfort for the hu-
maSitarians In that.
Then there are lots of people who send
comics, not out of pure malice, but be-
cause they think it is funny. 1t may be-
to the sender.
Ever since last Valeutine's day the art
ist and the poet have been at work on this
year's vintage Each season offers new
subjects for their satsrioal pen and brush
Bicycle riders, of course, have come In
for q good share Of their attention. There
ID the bloomer girl. oh, how she does
Atch III Now neither n the two men who
make the valentines has anything per-
sonal against the bloomsr girl. They have
The times., 1896-02-07
UNIQUE Valentines From Brazil.

Some of the most expensive valentines
come from far away Brazil. Deep in ths
heart of that country of torrid cline there
Is q convent where live nuns with def
fingers and ingenious minds. They use
the gorgeous South America hummine
birds, which can be found by thousands in
their convent gardens, in making unique
and beautiful valentines. These are sent
to London, where they bring big prices
when February comes around.
The times., 1896-02-07
A Lawyers Valentine.

I'm notified, fair neighbor mine,
BY one Of our profession
That this the term of Valentine
Il Cupid's special session.
Permit me, therefore, to report
Myself on this occasion
Quite ready to proceed to court
And file my declaration.
Oliver Wendell Ho
The times., 1896-02-07
A Cure For Loves Malady.

A witty and sentimental physician ha
prescribed the following sure cure for "th
malady of love:'
Hearts, ii.
Love, ad lib.
Mix the hearts well together.
Add the love and take frequently.
Hymen 81 Wedlock, Chemists, Feb. IA.
Cupid, M. d.
The times., 1896-02-07
Timely Jokes.

The king Of hearts-Diamonds.
Never look gift valentine in the verse.
Cupidity has no connection with Cupid
ditty.
The times., 1896-02-07
"HERE's A PACKAGE FOR you, THEN"

f, "HERE's A PACKAGE FOR you, THEM"
Snic stars" would present the ever popu.
Ihr drama of "Fanchon, the Cricket," In
the opera house.
The prophecy Of the posters had come
to pass. 1t was st. Valentines day, and
the Walkback Dramatic company was
there The citizens did not seem to be un-
duly excited over the fact, however. The
"histrionic stars themselves were soon
made aware of this Their information
came from the manager soon after his re-
tgrp from a visit to the local celebrity de-
4glbed on the programmes as "lessee and
5sqaget."
The times., 1896-02-07

The Artist Who Draws the Pictures on ths
Comic Valentines and the Harvard Grad
uate Who Writes the Poetry-Millions
of Penny Vilifiers.
The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-17
DEMANDING GOLD.

The following is an extract from copy
oil letter sent to party in this city
from certain manufacturing concern in
the North
"Perhaps we did not express ourselves
rightly in ours of the I'd, but we under
stood the situation as laid down in your
favor of the 9th. We don't want any
more agents In fact we ARE practically
refusing business by insisting on our Gus
toners paying gold. After the 3D. of No
vember we may or may not be open again
If you care to apply Mt that time we shall
he prepared to answer. At present we
are simply waiting the result of the cleo
tions and making all collections we can
as speedily rs possible, and are refusing
all applica lions for agencies or otherwise.
That is The shape most trade up here is
inn
The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-17
LAST NIGHTS PLAY.

Sydney Grundys celebrated play, 'Sow-
ing the Wind" was presented last night
ut the Academy of Music. This play is
an unusually strong acting one, and is
full of dramatic scenes The moral is
good and was set forth most wildly hy
the leading characters in the cast. The
scenery and costumes were both tasteful
and wcll-adapted to the successful pro-
duction of the various parts. The inter
est grows from act to act until climax
is reached in the closing scenes of act III,
when Rosamond is recognized as the
daughter of Mr.. BraZabon. There is, also.
considerable humor in the play, as repre-
sented by Mr.. Watkin, the crusty, plain
spoken old bachelor; the husband-h hunting
mother the Hon. Mrs. Fretwell and
Bridget, the servant of muscular proper
tions. Miss Maud Edna Hall, as Rosa
mond, was particularly strong, and won
frequent applause. All the parts, how
ever, were we'll sustained, and it is to he
regretted that larger audience was not
in attendance to enjoy the production.
Our people should most assuredly better
sustain the presentation of good plays in
our city,
The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-17
OUR BUSINESS

Is to knock the spots ont of things and
now is the time to give ,ss the chance to
show you how we do it, We are che peo-
pie. Any and ali kinds Of work done, and
done right. 1t is one thing to have your
clothing cleaned and dyed in cur place;
then you know they are not put out of
shape and dragged just to catch a dollar
Our past years of -eX perience and earnest
endeavors should be our card to keep us
busy all this fall cleaning and dyeing the
latest shades of the season. Prices rea-
sonable and kind attention is our aim.
Respectfully, JAMES DEVON,
ITO Campbell avenue,