davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11
ST. VALENTINES DAY.
On 1t All Young Hearts May Be
Merry and Cav.

merry dHo Idy.
All the seasons have their signs and tok-
ems. In the olden times, long before there
arose distinctions between Jew and Gentle,
Romans and barbarians, Christians and
heathens. the divisions of time known as
months came to be distinguished by the
speciality of temperature, and those char
acteristics which make up the history of
man.
January, sour-visaged, lusty and buster
ing, yet having some lines of kindness, locks
up the earth and the waters in fatherly
embrace; March, open-eyed and dusty with
the released wealth of winter; April, with
it's rainbows; May, with its blossoms; June,
with it's roses; July, with it's meadows watt
ing perfumed promises into every home
stead; August, with its rich treasures ready
for the gathering; September, with the last
with its jubilant chorus of the winds; No
vember, with its instructive warning of ap-
preaching change, and December, despite
the rain clouds which lower on it's brow.
with it's hallowed associations; each has a
story to tell. The youthful mind with un-
doubling ecstasy exclaims: Commend us to
February-the month in which in fair Italy
the birds begin to pair.
1t was in February that certain st. Val
entine, who must have been the Colenso of
his age, was put to cruel death by certain
dogmatists, who could not see anything good
either in him or the gospel he preached; and
because the martyr suffered at the time
| spring was about to open its silver gates,
and the wrong was done while those self
| same dogmatists were holding one of their
| love festivals, the memory of the death, and
| when it happened, passed unbroken into dis
tant generations; and thus it is that, in
Christian lands, just as the cold shadows Of
winter are beginning to put on their livery
of gray, the saint of the fourth century is
made the annually presiding genius of the
loves of every recurring year. So it has
been, and SO may it ever be. The march Of
memorable circumstances has left us but lit
tie of the poetry of life, and what we have let
us cling to hard and fast. Existence, with
out one true rainbow in its sky, would be
| intolerable, therefore it is that the festival
of st. Valentine is SO honored.
All hail, then, to st. Valentine-the first
gentleman of Christendom, and the only
saint in whom young folk put implicit trust.
He is the venerable father of sentiment.
st. Valentine yields the enchanters wand
which can at will reveal either the deformi-
| ty or beauty of the heart. He delights in the
latter. To him all that is natural is true
and beautiful. AS the flower wooes the
morning sunbeams, so st. Valentine, with
a paternal smile, bids all young hearts to
be merry and wise. Love is duty enjoined
| upon everyone, and to love well is to live
| well.
| All hail, then, we again say, to st. valen-
tine. His day is the white one in the cal
endar of destiny, and may no evil influence
ever dim the fun and loving kindness of its
celebration.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11
that George Taylor came TO the house nc
more and the pretty girls cheeks were 9

tnaC george Iaylor came TO the mouse no
more and the pretty girls cheeks were a
shade paler.
The evening of the 18th of February was
t cold and raw; yet at half-past seven the
pretty girl slipped softly out of the front
door.
THANK goodness Mrs. Smythe has gone
to the drug store and Miss Dixon to prayer
meeting she thought, walking rapidly to-
know for the world. The idea of those old
things trying to catch DR.. Percy! And the
idea of George Taylor quarreling Just be-
cause l said the doctor was the incest man
in town! Mercy, that was Mrs. Smythe."
She drew back in the shadow. "Why, she
came out of Catchem's! / wonder if she is
silly enough to send anybody valentine?"
After selecting pretty, dainty bit of lace
paper and pink satin, with sentimental
verse, she slipped behind a file of papers to
wait for her change. Just then she heard
the old maids voice.
Il want "a valentine" she simpered.
Something that Notwithstanding a
backward admirer."
1t took her a long time to select one, and
the pretty girl remained Cycling prisoner
until she had gone.
Now, who on earth can she mean to
send it to-" she wondered, on the way
home. 81 shall scent mine with violets SO
he will guess who. sent it. only wish George
Taylor could know!"
Coming down from her room with her
valentine, stamped and addressed, under
her cape, she met Miss Smythe also going
out.
Gust to mail letter to my sister," that
lady said and you?"
Merely to get the evening paper. She
never suspected" she thought, dropping her
valentine into the letter box.
Mercy, am trembling all over" said the
widow, slipping huge, square envelope into
the receptacle at the post Office. "Of course,
/ am only sending DR.. Percy valentine as
a joke, but she might not understand it.
He will recognize my writing-he has seen
it on checks-and will take courage!"
As they met on the boarding house steps,
Miss Dixon came out, white, square object
in her hand. 81 am going to mail pat
tern to my aunt, she said, carelessly. "They
never suspected" she thought. "I'd die if
they did. | only wish to encourage him,
lest he think me cold" and she slipped her
valentine into the letter box on DIR. Percy y
door.
When the postman came on the morning
"a NJ. oiShlliiG uuy uC plouBlG OtiS AuBS
lace bordered envelope for the pretty girl,
as well as three large square ones addressed
in the same handwriting to her, to the
widow and to the old maid.
When the pretty girl saw the lace-bor-
dered one she thrust it, blushing, into her
lap, for she had recognized George Taylor's
writing.
Then she opened the other envelope, think
ing: "The doctor will think me dreadful
firt now when | marry Geolge!"
"lf he has sent that mink valentine, too,
I'll get well tomorrow. thought the widow,
opening hers.
"How surprised they will all he when they
find that DR.. Percy has sent me valentine"
thought the old maid, opening hers.
Then there was trio of shrill exclama-
tions From each envelope DR.. Percy's wed.
ding cards had slipped out!
ELISA ARMSTRONG.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11

yond your skill. By the way, what has be-
come of George Taylor, Miss May? The
parlor sofa has looked sort of lonesome the
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11

to send me such beautiful ones before we
were married." sighed the widow.
"And didn't he afterwards" asked the old
maid, innocently.
"The devotion of man who used even
to accompany his wife to afternoon teas
needs no defense after he is dead" said the
widow, frigdly.
IL wonder if women ever send valen-
tines?" said the landlady, hastily.
Mercy, I'd die soonerl" cried the pretty
girl.
"And Il" exclaimed the widow.
"And II" shrieked the old maid.
"Where do they sell the silly things?"
asked the widow.
cat Catchem's, see" said the landlady.
"That is the little stationery shop on High
street, isn't it?" asked the old maid.
eyes. And it is stationary, really-it has
been there ever since can remember" said
the bachelor boarder, who had entered I'M
noticed. "What on earth has set you people
to talking about valentines?"
CDR. Percy" said the waitress, demurely.
HE said you sent for him, ma am" she
added.
$50 did," said the widow, blushing, as
she rose to 60. "My throat is troubling me
somewhat"
81 wish you had told me before you had
sent for the doctor" said the landlady. 81
could have cured you myself"
Il doubt it, ma'am," said the bachelor
boarder. grimly. 81 fancy this case is be-
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11
PerniciouS Activity,

Merritt-Your sister has been showing
me the valentines she received.
Little Johnnie Hold on. III bring you
the one she sent downstairs to be burned
N. Y. World
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11
Why He Looked II

Tho he vowed her love was priceless,
Yet he locks trifle i'll:
For the valentine she wanted
Cost big ten-dollar bill.
Chicago Record.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11
a EiOthcr'S
+. Misery.

The story Of this s0o0lan IS the every day history Of
thousands ssMo suffering as she did, seAo be
cured as she zcas; a0Ao aoaHkauk her sAo0agg them
the uay to good health.
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11
(To be continued,
Saved His life.

s. F. Fritz, of GIT Sedgwick Street,
Chicago, says: II had severe cough
which settled on my lungs, tried a
number of advertised remedies and
also placed myself under treatment
of several physicians with no benefit.
was recommended to try Foley
Honey and Tar. With little expecta-
ton of getting relief, l purchased a
bottle. l had taken but few doses
when felt greately improved; | was
enabled to sleep, splitting of blood
ceased, and by the time l had taken
the second bottle was entirely we'll.
1t saved my life."
Sold by j. J. Lowry
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11
SYNOPSIS.

CHAPTER billy Bones, an old sea
dog, much addicted to rum, lodges at Adj
miral Rainbow inn
CHAPTER II.-stranger, called "Black
Dog" meets Bones; an Interview ends In
fight and disappearance of stranger
Bones suffers aDoplectic stroke.
CHATTER IIl.-3ilnd pegsar comes to
inn. presses something in Bones hand
and leaves Ten o'clock Bones
cries six hours. Well do them YET" at
which moment he is struck dead by apo
nlevv
found little round paper. biackened on
one side. on the other the words: You
have till ten Tonight" Gold is found in
Bones sea chest. and an oilskin packet.
J'I;eht taken from inn
Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-02-11

Educate Your Bowels With Cascarets.
Candy Cathartic, cure constitution forever.
voc. ses. II @. G. G. fail. druggists refund monaY.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
To One He Writes Legibly.

wei known musician, who write.
a very llegible hand, once sent an un
usuallyhopeless scrawl to friend. The
latter studied it a minute, gave it up in
despairand then sat down and wrote in
reply 81 shall be most happy to dine
with YOU tomorrow at g. Kindest re.
CARDS your wife, etc. In less than
halt a. hour his friend appeared breath.
less his door.
Here's some misunderstanding, "
he sad anxiously. Il wrote you q note
askig you if you could play the piano
parbf the trio at Browns recital, and
heryou've sent me an acceptance Of a
direr invitation, but l didn't invite
yoIto dinner. +"
Well, returned the other blandly.
"lidn't suppose you d really sent me
annvitation to dinner, but | couldn t
re- word Of your note, and in that
ca hereafter / mean always to take it
fogranted that you're asking me to
di. p"
or one of his correspondents at least
tbffender now writes legibly. Chi
CO News.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
ROUND ABOUT US.
.Ne1Osy Items Gathered In by the Banners Staff
of Special Correspondents.
ORLEANS.

o. 5. Taylor was in Bedding Satur-
day.
Charles LaDow was in Belding Mon
day on business
Fred Clark of Stanton Junction was
10 town over Sunday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Alderman were
in Bedding Saturday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Salyer Of Long Lake
were in town Monday.
The meetings at the Orleans church
will continue this week.
Miss Gertrude Conner OF Easton Sun
dayed at Royal Hawkins.
Quarterly meeting at the Orleans
church Saturday and Sunday next.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Calkins of Eas-
ton visited at r. Hawkins Monday.
+. Z. Hannah and family spent Sat
urday at d. Hammond's of Chadwick.
Lillian Leach and gentleman friend
OF Ionia Sundayed with her parents
here.
Mrs. Ira Wheeler and sister is visit
ing Mrs. e. Russell Of Portland this
week.
Miss Foster of Ionia is visiting her
aunt, Mrs. Tom Kidd, Sr., for few
weeks,
Tom Kidd is drawing his wheat to
Bedding this week. Gets 80 cents per
bushel.
Persus Sussix and lady of Smyrna
attended church at Orleans Sunday
evening.
Ray Hall of Ionia came up and stay
ed over Sunday with his parents of
Long Lake.
Mr.. and Mrs. Myron Spanogle and
Miss Leta O'Bryon Sundayed in Ionia
at E. b. Hale's.
John Loning of Johannesburg, Ohio,
came Saturday TO visit with his wife at
+. p. Hamman's
Mr.. and Mrs. o. Purdy and Mrs.
Geo. Purdy were visitors at N. Wal
lace's OF Bedding Saturday.
E. Lambertson, A. J Hale and Gus
Flanagan have been in south of CIR and
Rapids looking up the creamery bus
mess. They are well pleased with the
outlook.
VIM. Cole OF Chicago, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. p. S. Cole of Orleans, was killed
trying to board a freight train. The
remains were accompanied here by his
wife, three brothers and one sister.
Funeral services at the F. M. church;
burial in Green s cemetery Friday.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
LINCOLN LAKE.

A good many with bad colds.
Will and Elite Emmons are visiting
relatives in Grattan.
Old Mr.. Darwin has been on the sick
list but is better now.
Edna Newland was laid up part OF
last week with rheumatism.
Will Emmons and Charley Needs
each have new cutter. Now girlsl
Nora Emmons has returned home
after her two weeks visit with her
parents.
A masquerade ball at Lincoln Lake
February 22nd. Two dollars for the
prettiest dressed couple in the hail.
Oyster supper included.
Rev. Barker OF Greenville is assist
ing the lady missionary in her revivals
at the Baptist church. Large crowds
attend the meetings nightly.
S. j. Splitter has been sick in bee
but is better now. Frank Smith tool
his team and went to Gowen after
doctor, but owing to the deep snow
drifts he had to leave the horses there
and walk back.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
FAIRPLAINS.

A surprise party was given for Miss
Evelyn Rasmussen Monday evening.
Mr.. and Mrs. Sam Hartman spent
Friday and Saturday with her parents.
On account OF the storm the enter
tainment was postponed until Feb. Is.
The young people gave Christian
Anderson a surprise party the 10Th of
January, it being his birthday.
Snow, snow, and lots of it. The
roads are filled even with the fences
a.a s---s ri---- 49, s~.s~S7 80 =
covered.
Meetings are still being held at the
Nj. f.. church at Fenw:ck. They are
having very good meeting and are get
ting a number of converts. Elder
Howard was called home Saturday.
Died, at her home northwest of Fen
wick, Mrs. Geo. Brown, OF paralysis.
She had been ailing for some time, but
was around the house doing her work
until Saturday about ten o'clock. She
died Sunday morning at seven o'clock
The funeral was held Tuesday in the
Congregational church at Fenwick.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
LONG LAKE.

MIR, Slocum's baby is very sick.
Mrs. G. Antcliff and son, and grand
son were in Ionia, Monday.
Will Pretzell made a business trip
to Ionia Friday and Saturday.
Quite a large turnout at Sunday
school for all the roads were so bad.
Lots of wood being drawn to town
which will soon make the roads fine.
Jim Fuller and family OF Bedding,
made short call at Chas. Hurd's,
Sunday.
Quite number around here are at
tending the protracted meetings at
Orleans.
Mrs. c. Terry of Shanty Plains is
visiting with her niece, Flora Lans,
this week.
Oscar Lane was in Bedding Wednes-
day, and Frank Stevens was in Bel
ding Monday.
Allie Brown and wife and little son
OF Falrplains, Sundayed with her
mother, Mrs. Whitford.
Geo. Hagadorn visited relatives here
few days last week. He had quite
load when he returned home.
Putting up ice has begun in good
earnest this week by the looks OF the
teams going back and forth all the
time.
The Poor Commissioner was up this
way looking after folks and got stuck
in snow drift and had to tie his mules
and try the walking.
Miss Orpha Hagadorn had quite an
experience with crazy woman at the
asylum last week. She came out ahead
this time but will she next?
Mr.. Shaw's mother was taken sud-
denly sick in the night last week and
her life was despaired of for a while.
She is better at this writing.
The school has received their pic
lures and they are so good they expect
to get some more taken and try and
have the whole school present. Some
were absent before on account of sick
ness.
A large number of friends gave Mrs.
Belle Wheeler surprise Saturday
night, it being her birthday. Each
brought basket of good things and
"a nice supper was partaken OF after
which they all spent very pleasant
evening. All returned home at late
hour well satisfied.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
BARTONVILLE.

Last Sunday was f. J. Richmond's
5Oth birthday and about thirty-fve OF
his friends worked no genuine sur
prise on him on Monday night. He
has always thought that there was no
such thing as people being surprised
but has changed his mind. The even
ing was spent in games and two young
ladies present recited some very ap.
propriate pieces. An elegant supper
was served and all went away declar-
ing they had spent very pleasant
evening.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
The Treating Habit.

was Pope Telesphorus, who died
bre the year $50 A. d., who institut-
eChristmas as festival, though for
Sc time it was irregularly held in
Lember, April and May. But for CEN
ties before there had been a feast Of
y among the northern nations, whose
Ct enjoyment was in drinking the
vail bowl or cup. Nothing gave
Il so much delight as indulgence in
"ousing ale," especially at the sea-
sof short days, when fighting was
ed. 1t was likewise the custom at all
& feasts "for the master of the house
& large bowl or pitcher, to drink
OF it first himself and then give to
that sat next, and SO it went
and. This may have been the origin
cat popular American custom known
creating. " 1t is certain that upon
Christian observance of this glorious
dave been migrated habits taken
! rude and barbarous people. st.
is Republic
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
ORLEANS-OTISOO.

f. +. Benton was in Greenville Mon
day.
Kim King and Will Leach have
traded farms.
Mr.. and Mrs. Nj. +. Benedict are Wis
iting friends at Sand Lake.
Albert and Chancey Snow are enter
tanning relatives from Portland.
Miss Anna Briggs of Bedding spent
Saturday and Sunday with M. j. Hol-
comb.
Miss Jessie Dotey of Saranac spent
Saturday and Sunday at M. M. Ben
edict's.
Will and Bert Ward of Grattan were
in town last week renewing old ac'
quaintances.
Fred Jackson returned Thursday
from ten days visit at his brother's
near Winchester.
Those on the sick list are h. G. Olds
and family, Mrs. l.. Howe and son, and
the youngest son Of A. l.. Benedict.
Eli Witt has put in full line o.
blacksmith's tools in his large work
chop and any one wishing neat worl
done should give him call.
Mr.. and Mrs. Perrin Cole were called
home from Bay City Friday to attend
the funeral OF their son, Will, at thu
T.. Nj. church. He was run over ant
killed by yard engine in Chicago
! Tuesday
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
GRATTAN.

A. A. Weekes Of Grand Rapids is in
town.
j. |. Weekes Is saving timber on
Geo. Ashley's farm.
A chicken pie social was held with
Mrs. John Ashley February 4th.
Paul Spicer has gone to Otisco to
stay with his grandmother and attend
school at Cook Corners.
Regular communication Of Grattan
F. and A. M lodge Feb. with visitors
from Rockford and Grand Rapids
Mrs VIM Lessiter is very sick with
lung trouble and Owen MCGEE is very
low with typhoid pneumonia, but was a
little better Monday.
A special meeting of the creamery
stockholders was held Saturday. The
machinery is now being put in and an
ice house will be built.
Mrs John Richardson started for her
home in Detroit last Thursday. She
was accompanied as far as Lowell by
Miss Mabel Weekes who went TO Grand
Rapids.
One of the saddest deaths in our
town was that OF Osmer Purdy Feb. 5,
from typhoid pneumonia. He was sick
less than one week. His aged parents
were so shocked by the sudden Attic
tion that they could not attend the
funeral held at the home of the de-
ceased, Monday, nor see this beloved
son before or after death. Three chill
dren born to Mr.. Purdy by his first
marriage are left fatherless. Some
thing over one year ago he was again
married, this time to Sarah White OF
Alton, who has proved herself worthy
OF the name OF mother in every respect
to the sacred trust OF the three mother
less ones. Rev. j. Il. Hustled OF Grand
Rapids who performed the marriage
ceremony was called to officiate at the
burial services and speak the comfort
ing word to the bereaved wife and
family, not only in his ministerial
capability but as dear friend known
from childhood. This family and Mr..
and Mrs. +. j. Mason, living near by,
who buried their little daughter,
Emma, last Thursday have the tender
sympathy of host OF friends.
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
ALTON.

Filling ice houses is now in process.
Mrs. Hannah Culver is stopping at
ID. Church's.
G. Porter was at Belding on business
last Monday.
Mrs. Alva Davis is once more able to
be about the house.
Owen MCGEE is now considered out
of danger but very weak
Mrs. II. White is still with her
daughter, Mrs. O. Purdy.
Frank Keech Is having aserious time
with neuralgia in his teeth.
The infant child of Fred Kropf was
buried last week Thursday.
1t looks as though the snow was
going to leave us as it is thawing very
fast.
Geo. White OF Lowell drew logs to
the Ring saw mill several days last
week.
Lizzie Rounds of Grattan is visiting
her grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs. j.
Goble.
Miss Rhoda Dickens OF Smyrna Is
visiting her grandmother, Mrs. j.
Mosher, this week.
Our mail carrier was unable to ge'
here last Tuesday and unable to return
to Grattan Wednesday night.
Those on the sick list are Mrs. Fred
Kropf, Mrs. John Hapeman, Mrs. d
d. Weekes and Ernest Godfrey's child.
The Barto school is closed for spell
on account OF the weather and roads
Our school has continued right along
every day.
j. Mason's child was buried last week
Thursday. They have the heartfelt
sympathy OF this community in thei
bereavment.
A large number from here attende'
the funeral of o. Purdy Monday. hi
wife and children have the sympath.
OF the people in this locality.
Our minister was on hand last Sat
bath and gave us very interesting
sermon on what shall it profit ma
to gain the whole world and lose hi
own soul"
Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-02-10
unnseIinlds Gods.
evening.

The ancient Greeks believed that the
Penates were the gods who attended to
the welfare and prosperity OF the fam
ily. They were worshipped as house
hold gods in every home. The house
hold god OF today is DR.. Kings New
Discovery. For consumption, coughs,
colds and for all affections of throat,
chest and lungs il is invaluable. IL
has been tried for quarter OF CEN
tury and is guaranteed to cure or
money refunded. No househol Id should
be without this good angel. 1t Is
pleasant TO take and safe and sure
remedy for old and young. Free trial
bottles at Fisk Bangs drug store
Regular price soc and 81.