davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
ST. VALENTINES DAY.
1t Has a Strange and Interesting His.
tory Dating from the Third
Century.

AS everybody should know by this
time, Saint Valentine was bishop who
lived in the third century, and was
made saint because he was martyred
by Emperor Claudius H., February Il,
27O.
There is no connection between his
life and death and the sending of comic
or loving missives, and how they came
to be connected makes singular story.
In the third century, Christianity was
struggling with paganism, and could
n. make converts except by stealth. In
later years, when the church became
a political as well as religious power,
paganism rapidly disappeared before
it's advances until all Europe became
Christian, in name at least. Pagan be-
liefs, however, still fingered among the
people, and, instead of crushing them
out, which might have proved an inn
possible task, the church permitted the
people to retain their old notions, but
skillfhlly diverted them into Christian
channels.
Thus, the 18th day of February was
the heather festival of Februata Juno,
and the people were allowed to keep the
festival, but the name of St. Valentine
was substituted for the heather god
dess. That is how the good Bishop VAL
entine happens to have his name linked
to merry doings that do not in the least
accord with his pious life and tragic
death.
For hund eds of years St. Valentines
day was celebrated with mirth, rev.
elry and love-malzing, and it even
found lodgment in this country, where
no one knew about or cared for its ORR
gin. There was time, not many years
ago, when mail-carriers fairly groaned
under the burden of missives they car
ried on the 18th day of February, but
now they hardly notice any increase in
the mails. - S%@.i.g;
Valentines day has been practically
killed in this country by extravaganza.
When valentines cost few cents, every
body could indulge in harmless pleas
ure, but now the average young girl
would turn up her pretty nose at any
valentine that cost less than a dollar.
The dainty creations of paper, lace and
silk are works of art, but they have
made ordinary valentines seem poor
and mean in comparison.
Then again, the vending of the comic
valentine, the atrocious bel on art and
poetry, has had mu"h to do with de-
stroying the pleasure of the day. Vile
caricatures with doggerel verse, almost
always insulting and intended to Of
fend the receiver, these penny daubs
we're scattered broadcast until many
grew indignant at the very name of a
valentine.
There may be reaction some day,
and then the 18th of February will be
a time for pleasant greetings, not con-
fined to love-sick SWANS and damsels,
but day when young and old, in cheap
but pretty cards, can wish each other
good luck and happiness until another
year rolls around. That would be a VAL
entine appreciated by everybody
Golden Days. >
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
They crossed the street together in the
direction OF the little shop.

They crossed the street togeth her in the
direction Of the little shop.
IT suppose you were 50 taken up Will;
the valentines you are sending that yo,:
did not notice the cal, = said the old gen
tleman, gently. Il used to be very fond
of them myself. Suppose we all go in
and look at them little
The girls could not refuse and shame
facedly entered. The shopwoman
smiled at them knowingly, but they
only smiled back in a feeble and sickly
way. The old gentleman selected two
valentines that the girls had not felt able
to buy.
"I,want you, to have these" he. said
"to remember me by and to make you
think to be always very careful wher
you cross the street." f'
The girls thanked him family with
downcast eyes. Then he babe them s
courtly adieu. They noticed how feeble
he was as he limped away and won
dered how he could have had strength
enough to save them from the car
Then as they went out, each holding
prettily ornamented envelope, they
looked at each other in shame and re-
greet. Glare was the first to speak.
Lets send him another" she said
''They have some beautiful ones dowr
the street further. Let's go dowr
there" s
They counted their money as they
went along and put it all together. By
and by they came out of the shop below
with valentine that, instead of beins
in an envelope, rose to the dignity of {
beautiful box, tied with pink and blue
ribbons.
II would give anything if we coo,l6
only get that old letter box open," sale
Clare, and, passing. they frowned at i
as if it were to blame for everything.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

case filled with those dainty combina-
tions of paper lace and bright color so
fascinating to the heart of youth and,
ah, me! to the memory of age, perhaps,
and as they lifted the ilmy overlays to
read the cunningly hid verses beneath
they did not notice that standing in the
door was a;feeble old man leaning on a
cane and watching them. His hair was
rather long and silver white. His face
was clearly shaven, and he had large
nose, a rather childish mouth and
clear blue eyes. AS he moved away the
two girls heard his step and turned.
'Oh!" exclaimed Clare, whispering,
''there is old Mr.. Fessenden! He lives
next door to us and is cranky old
bachelor. Let's send him a valentine"
The other girl nodded. Then they
watched him a moment through the
window as he paused to look in.
"He comes every year to look at the
Valentines" said the shopwoman.
"Show US some funny Ones" said
Clare. "Some about, old bachelors"
The girls were not: cruel; they were
thoughtless. They picked out high
ly colored picture of q ferce-looking old
man in house that was in wretched or
der, and under which were the follow
ing lines: a -s. ...~. -
AN OLD BACHELOR.
''You think yourself extremely wise,
Since all your worthless life
You've lived alone without the care
And love of a tender wife,. .
Perhaps, indeed, you've vainly tried
To wed, your whole life through,
And were so glum and crusty that
No wife would live with you."
They did not like the word worth
less" because Clare said she had never
heard that he dissipated in any way,
but Katie said it did not mean that,
but only meant that his life had been
worthless because he hadn't married.
By and by they went across the street
to bright red letter box and dropped
in all their purchases. s5stass.+ .s.:%
As they recrossed they were talking
busily and did not notice that cable
4 car was changing it's bell wildly and
that the gripman was making frantic
effort to stop it. But suddenly each felt
herself pulled naSllly DdckWaru, ana
realized that they had been drawn from
in front of the deadly cable car just in
time. Each gave q little scream and
turned to thank her rescuer. It was the
old gentleman, Mr.. Fessenden. He had
dropped his cane and leaned on them,
trembling from the effort. The girls
were abashed, and blushed and STAN
mered Glare hastily picked up his
cane, and he thanked her courteously.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
The Worm Turns.

"Jove," cried Henpeck, "let me hide.
"What's the matter now?' asked
Mrs. H.
"There's policeman out there, and
l am afraid he'll have me up for polyg-
amy seem to have married you and
your mother and all the rest of your
family."-Harlem Life.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Indifference.

JOSH never could see that them as
tronomers were much use anyway.
Hiram-Why not?
.Josh-Well. here they're telling us
there's comet comm flynn towards
the earth, and not one of them is Goin'
anything to prevent it.-Illustrated
American.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

Mrs. Slimdiet-Yes; got II comic
valentines to-day, and I shall expect you
all to settle up at once.
Chorus of Boarders-But surely, Mrs.
Slimdiet, you do not accuse us of send
ing the valentines? ....~
Mrs. Slimdiet-I make no accusations
whatever, gentlemen. only know that
I have II boarders.-N. Y. World.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Half Raked.

Mere wealth won't make man, ah! no,
Az We so oft have said.
Some chaps who have q lot Of dough"
Might be much better bred.
IL. A. w. Bulletin.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

Kitty-O, pa! how much beer would
it take to dye all my dollies' frocks red?
Pa-Beer? Why, you can't dye things
with beer, child!
Kitty-O, but I'm sure I heard ma
say it was beer that made your nose so
red, pa!-Fun.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

Parent-Of course, as my daughter
is of age she can suit herself as to mar
rying you, but the day she does, I will
cut her off without penny.
Suitor latter pause)-Well, under
those circumstances, sir, we will break
our. engagement. could not think of
depriving young lady of her inher-
itance.-Harlem Life.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
A DiplOIlatist.

Il say, Jimmie, dyer ma beat yer
when yer got in last night?"
~ ono; you bet she didn't"
my, you got off easy"
eyes; you see, she was 'fraid I'd yell
soloudTd wake the baby."-Illustrated
American.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Outside the Risk,

Life is not all merry skate
Don't be reckless crank;
Where ice is thin, and crowds are great
Just stay right on the bank.
Detroit Free Press
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

They're Living in Town Now.
8 When you and I were young, lass,
roamed the fields with you:
4. In rustic swings we swung, lass,
And the sky above was blue: q I
But years have filtered by. lass.
Since you and I roamed there
] Now we seldom see the sky, lass,
Through the smoke that fills the air
Chicago Record.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
The Chief Hero.

Little Edgar-Papa, who was the
greatest hero of the war?
Papa--Capt. Bibbleson, guess. His
story is three pages longer
than any of the rest of them has writ
ten.-Chicago Daily News.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Rough on the Doctor.

Mrs. Bright-Johnny, did the doctor
come while was out?
Johnny (suspending his play)-Ycs,
ma. He felt my pulse. looked at my
tongue and shook his head, and said it
was serious case, and he left pre-
scription and said he'd call again IN
the evening.
Mrs. Bright-Gracious me! It wasn't
you sent him to see; IL was the baby.
Ally Sloper.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Wise Lad,

what will happen to you if sou are
good, little boy?" asked the kindly old
lady.
'I1l get 4 stick of candy for being
good.'
"And what will happen to you if you
are bad?"
"I1i get two sticks of candy for prom
Using to try to he good. "-Chicago Post.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Not Saying Much for Her.

misunderstanding that Boobley
is henpecked, I'm surprised that his
wife boasts of it.
Babway she, indeed?
Blabmore- Yesshe's been frequent
ly heard to say that she's made him
what he is to-day.-Roxbury Gazette.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Could Not Understand 1t.

"There's one thing said the prac-
tical joker. that L could never UNDER
stand .-..5.-.. :.
''What is that?"
"Why, when I can pick out such gen
timely witty comic valentines to send
out to my friends, they should make
such laundering and brutal selections
to send to me. Washington Star.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
On the VERGE of Success.

There's many a day Of trouble and doubt
For the man who is trying to rise:
There's many balefuI wind blows out
OF the clouds that obscure the skies,
And many heartache, many tear
He forces aside with a laugh
Until finally people begin to appear
With requests for his autograph.
cleveland Leader
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Pats, Idea,

Sea Captain-Now, Pat, what would
you do if you were left on barren rock
in the middle of the ocean?
Pat-Td pull out me teeth, an live
on their roots.-Harlem Life.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Yerx MUCH Heafea

The Circassian-What's the NATE,
with the two Fire Eaters?
The Wild Man-Oh, some hot word,
passed between them.-N. Y. journal
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Ardup.

"Along the cool, sequestered vale Of life
He keeps the noiseless tenor of his way
HE also keeps, afar from worldly strife,
The tenner that lent him t'other day.
Chicago Tribune.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
she said No.

Flemming What frustrated the
elaborate plans that Miner had made
for his marriage?
Lenox-The answer to his proposal.
IN. Y. World.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
More to the Purpose.

"Have you no fears for the future?"
"None," answered the new theatrical
star, her eyes flaming. Il have past"
And it was ever present with her.
Chicago Tribune.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
How He Proposed.

"Do you believe in expansion, Mr.
Noodle?"
4 Noodle-No; quite the contrary.
believe in making two one.-Brooklyn
Life. 49,. L.,,.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
An Even Game

"It's all foolishness to talk about any
one getting the worst of it in the matri.
monial game" declared the big man
with a silk hat and a loud suit OF
clothes.
Flows that?"
Marriage is always a tie."-Detroit
Free Press
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
An Honest Admission.

~ $50 you want to marry my daughter,
young man? What are your pros
pects?' &: 80 z5s
"Pretty poor, unless you give your
consent."-Town Topics. IL
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

Libel ON = First-Cla.. Hotel.

AAueA On y FlFstsCl0Ss HO0eAs
"A Caribou man lately wandered Tito
. remote hotel that doesn't keep die
tionary, and on coming down in the
morning was asked by the landlord how
he rested. Co." replied the gentleman.
Il suffered nearly all night from in
somnia." The landlord was mad in 4
minute mi and roared: "I'll bet you two
dollars there amt one in my house. -
Kennebec Journal.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
The Untutored Savage.

The UntutOred Savage.
Moneys the root of all evil,
AS the civilized person agrees;
It is only the savage who thinks he
May find the stuff growing on trees
Chicago Daily News.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Not Enourh to Go Round.

Not Enough to Go Round. :.
Museum Manage-Wha:'s the mat
ter with the two-headed girl?
"She's mad because she got only one
valentine. Chicago Record.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
\ Dinerenee.

Dauber-I confess that I have mn nj.
terror interests = live for my art:
Friend-You'd find It much L.
agreeable to live by it-Town Topics
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
SumC1ent.

The Sweet Young Thing But why
should not women enter politics?
The Savage Bachelor-Too MANY
bosses there now.-Indianapolis Jour
nal.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
A Way Widows Have.

II always look out for mum Der one.'
said the selfish man; don't you?"
"Well, hardly" said the person ad.
dressed, who happened to be widow;
II am looking out for number two
Tit.BitS.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
A Fearful Example

"Prof. Suffer always discourses or
the evils of giuttony before dinner"
"Why?"
because after dinner he is not able
to discourse. Chicago Record.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
WrOnxed.

Z "You bust excuse be this evedig, Bliss
Billigads' said Mr.. Addlethwaite, If
by speech is a little thick, for I have a
terrible cold id by head ia. .,,.<ss =.
It see you have Miss Milligan re-
Piled, "and that reminds me that you
ought, by all means, to call on Sue
Darlington while you are in your pres
ent6condition." .
Il s Why, SO, Bliss 5Bflligad 2" 81
'She told me the other day that she
was sure you had rothing in your head.
Now, You can prove that she. made a
mistake. - Cleveland Leader.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Mn ResemblGnce

Creston-Barnes doesn't look Ike an
aetor, does he?
Clarke No. doesn't act like one.
sithsr- Tewn Topics
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
Preiudfced.

They say she was embodied grace
AS on the chair she sat;
But II failed to see it; she
Was sitting on my hat.
IN. Y. World
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
More for Her Money.

IT hear that your daughter has broken
off her engagement with the count Is It
true?"
Yes; she ran across chance to get a
duke at the same fgure." Chicago Journal.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
A CRUCIAL TEST.

"Talkabout spunk, fellers! I've been
kicking little Tommy fer de last ten
minutes, and he amt cried yet!"-N
Y. Journal. &-
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

U.s. shall have your face,
For stars-two eyes that shine
Where my heart has it's dwelling place
Your own, dear Valentine!
He turns to neither left nor right.
But straight ahead he goes:
His guide is Hope, whose footsteps light
The sunset pathway knows:
He bears my message in his scrip,
A song whose every line
shall turn to music on your lip.
My own dear Valentines!
Oh, when you hear his eager knock
Upon the door begin,
Make base to lift the heavy lock
And bid young Cupid in.
Glad then shall CLEAN the skies above,
And glad this heart of mine
To be at last with her I love-
With you, dear Valentine!
Frank Demster Sherman, in Ladies'
Home Journal.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

Old Party-What's the matter, little
boy?
Little Boy-G'wan, wot yo' know
bout bein' in 1ove?-N.~ Y. Evening
Journal. -@.''.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
PRIMITIVE H00S1ER CABINS
Crude Pioneer Dwellings, Construct
ed by the Earlier Settlers in
Indiana.

e
uncouth, simple abodes-more genuine
happiness has been enjoyed than in all
the fine and costly mansions in the
great city of New York. Thousands OF
wealthy, respectable men and women
are living to-day who were born, reared
and married in such humble cabins,
And there are millions of people living
to-day who have no idea how these cab.
ms are constructed. \
The pioneer from scme of the old
eastern or so.1t hern tates, with his
wife, six or eight children, gun and
dog, would come to Gree ne county in
his covered wagon, which was his fam
lily. abode until he erected his cabin,
which was constructed thus: Cut about
40 logs eight or ten inches in diameter
20 of them 16 feet long and 20 of them
IA feet long; slope the ends off half and
notch the other half to fit; put chunks
in the cracks of the logs and daub them
with mud. The gables were made OF
shorter logs until reaching what is
called the comb, the ends sloped down
to suit the pitch OF. the roof. It being
now ready for covering, cut poles five
to six inches in diameter, 16 feet long,
or the length of the house, notch them
down on the gables about 3A feet
apart. Cut down large oak tree,
square the butt and saw cuts four feet
long, split them in blocks about six
inches square, take a frow and rive
boards half an inch thick, lay them
lengthwise on the aforesaid poles OF
rafters, breaking joints, weight them
down with small poles. You are now
ready for the floors. Cut poles six
inches in diameter, length the width OF
the cabin, for lower joists, place them
about four feet apart; cut a tree-gen.
orally linn or some soft wood-saw logs
about six or eight feet long, split into
slabs about three inches thick. hew
smooth; with these make the floor
The door is made of boards the same
as the roof, only longer; the fastening
is wooden latch with string hanging
on the outside. One window, IA by 16
inches, with creased paper for glass
The ceiling is made with poles for
joists covered with clapboards.
Now comes the most scientific me-
chanical part of cabin building-the
fireplace and chimney. Saw out about
six feet wide out of one end Of the
house. six feet high from the ground
case up. the aperture, extending back
far enough for the back wall of the
fireplace and as high as the aperture
Now dig yellow clay, dampen; and with
small maui beat down and form ou1
hearth, jambs and back wall. General.
~ the jambs and back wall are about 8
foot thick. Now split sticks to the
proper length for the size of your chin.
ney-the sticks about an inch thick
and one and half wide. Make NOR
tar of the yellow clay and build you,
chimney to the desired height Thi,
makes comfortable dwelling without
nail, glass or paint. Move in AMI have
"hoe down. Linton Call.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

He-'1 suppose you were not doing a
thing in church this morning but studying
that woman's bonnet in front of us~ She
well, you were studying the minister's
style, were you not?-Yonkers States
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

"She's pretty enough to bite" eyes, but
there's lead poisoning in all those face prep
arations." Plain Dealer.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09
The Pen and the Sword.

The Pen and the Sword.
The pen is mightier than the sword,
And longer fingers on the scene;
For when the sword has finished up
The pen takes to the magazine.
Cincinnati ENQUIRER.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

Nothing Escapes Her.
She's such a desperate little fiirt
That I believe she'd try
To get up a Irritation with
A rain-beau In the sky.
e Judge.
The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-02-09

AS everybody should know by this
time, Saint Valentine was bishop who
lived in the third century, and was
made saint because he was martyred
by Emperor Claudius H., February H.,