davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10
ST. Valelu..u )
DaU From Various
Points of View
Bp FRANK JOY MEANS

Copyright. 1910. by Il. T.. AicGrath
Y n the good old days-"all days when
old are good" says ByrOn-it was
the idea that all valentines must
4 be sent anonymously, with the
handwriting SO disguised that the re-
tipient could not determine the Identity
Of the sender That is still tin case
with certain sorts OF valentines, those
o: the grotesque pictures and assault
provoking pOetry-'fault finders" they
are called by those who manufacture
them. When one dispatches a libel Of
that sort through the mails it is to his
interest TO conceal his identity.
But when the young man posts TO his
ladylove, or one whom he would fain
have as his ladylove, a paper dream OF
confection lace and speared hearts he
Is not so anxious that she should not
suspect the sender-in fact, he Is most
careful to write in his usual hand and
possibly to put his initials somewhere
about the package. Then when he calls
that evening. as he is very apt to do IL
smtten hard enough. he delicately leads
up To the fact of ITS being ST. Valentines
day, and If that does not answer the
purpose he asks the fair one "a to what
reminders OF the day she has received.
Should she still remain coy he will tell
her outright unless he Is n very baShful
lover. After that II is just as well to
draw the curtain. II may be as well
TO remark, however, that good ST. Val
entine was a great matchmaker both
before his death and since
But. as TO the other sort OF mon
strosities that masquerade as yalen-
tines. it is not at all surprising that no
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10

atrocious poetry. through the mails. In
the earlier times poetry concerning st.
Valentines day was OF a fairly high
order Also the pictures sent were OF a
certain degree OF artistic merit. Thus
In England In the days OF the NRpole-
onic wars the valentines sent 20 the
soldiers and sailors were or q quality
TO make the hearts of the Tommy At
kinses and Jack tars of that day swell
with pride. The cards that made one
look like a cheap edition OF a Chinese
dragon or an antediluvian monster.
with verses OF the quality of Mother
Goose rhymes without the Mother
Goose melody, came later Likewise
the fluffy, tinsel. gold and silver crea-
lions, plentifuly besprinkled with
hearts end containing sentimental po-
etry Of a certain made TO order air.
were the product OF more modern and
more degenerate days. In England
these are now practically things of the
pas In fact. st. Valentines day is lit
tie observed at all in the British isles
except for the giving Of flowers. But
it Is still In vogue i'm America and
some of the countries Of continental
Europe.
Years ago St Valentines day was
very prolific Of marriages. The mates
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10

VALENTINE OF THE TINE OF WILLIAM ".
then chosen were taken not simply in
fun, but often for better or worse. 1t
has been said that marriage is n lot
terry anyway, so what does the form Of
the lottery matter? II a partner for a
year, why not for all the years? Thus.
whatever his own history may have
been, Valentine became the patron
saint OF matrimOny. This is n very
proud distinction. and we will hope
that he did something TO earn It. To
complete the legend il is Just as well
10 believe that he did marry the heart
sick Roman youths and maidens
against the emperor's order and was
killed for SO doing. thus becoming a
martyr TO love. In that event # would
be only poetic justice that he should be
remembered by lovers for ages.
Long may his day remain with us.
for while men and women are found
on this old earth they viii marry and
be given i'm marriage. IL is Significant
fact that while all the other pagan gods
are dead Cupid is still worShiped. The
divinities OF power. Of wisdom. OF war
and what not have passed away. but
the divinity Of love is immortal. All
these things grow Old. but love Is ever
fresh and new. They expand and
change, but love Is the same yesterday.
today and forever
May we not hope FOR a like immor-
talty for 81. Valentines day. which IS
distinctively the holiday OF 'ove9 Even
though one English paper says. 1t Is a
forgotten anniversary" and even
though much OF its art halts and It's
verse limps. is there not enough vitality
In the love IL symbolizes TO keep Its
memory living in the heart OF the
world? The young yet cherish IL. and
the young are ever with us. The priv
ilege OF sending an anonymous valen-
tine romantic or even the anonymous
valentine ugly-for there are both sorts
lis too highly priced 10 have Il die at
the mere dictum OF few sleepy English
papers. Dry-as-dust people from time
immemorial have announced the de-
mise OF Santa Claus. and yet Santa
Claus is with US. Little eyes still
dance at the mention OF him. and little
hearts grow warm at his expected com
Ing. Who would rob youth OF all its
romantic legends?
Good Bishop Valentine. sacred to low
ers OF all times and climes, who would
Danish him? What if his day does
burd-l the postman? The postman Is
GOO. hearted soul and doesn't mind.
He is repaid by the blushing faces and
eager eyes of those his advent makes
happy
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10

She was also trying TO decide upon the
dress she would wear that evening. for
surely Norman would come up. Yes.
he might possibly come M 20 talk with
her father 5 nd mother. Her eyes were
bright with sntlcination. ana she kept
wondering what kind OF a valentine he
was going 20 send her. The possibili-
ties thought Of by Amy that day would
have startled Norman had he known
them
IL was the longest day Amy had ever
known. II secured to her that the
hands were stopped ON all the time
pieces in the house she dressed for
dinner at 4 O'clock. knowing that II
would not be ready until = In her hair
she placed a small knot OF purple VIC
lets. z, memhering that Norman had
once said when she wore violets in Der
hair that e reminded him of the san.
rise. all purple and gold. Anotbe-
bunch was fastened at her slender
waist. and she confessed to herself that
she would do. That means much when
a girl says it OF herself.
Half ashamed Of her haste, she took
of the dainty white Grape dress and
slipped on her kimOno ana sat down
in an easy chair, determined that she
would not make such silly goose Of
herself. and. saying that. she fell asleep
and never woke until half past .. Such
a catastrcphei Could she ever get
dressed in time?
But she did and had two minutes TO
spare. which time she employed look
ing at her dimpled chin 10 see If the
dimple was as attractive as ever. And
then her heart stopped beating and she
knew she was going To die
But. no; IL was only some men bring
ing in heavy square basket. She
crept bac'- into her room and deter
mined 10 remain there until the valen-
tine should come. Just then her little
brother called:
Amy. Amy. come down. There's
something here for youl Come quick!
II is aliver"
Amy went with rush. What If IT
should be dear. beautiful English
bulldog. Norman knew she wanted
one. A big. square hamper stood I'm the
hall. and her mother father. brother
and sister were all there too The but
Ter. seeming mystery, united and cut
the ropes that bound 70 and then. lift
ing the I'D. stood back. As he did so
Norman tried 20 rise gracefully from
the cramped position he had held. but
instead he overturned the hamper and
Sprawled Oh the floor. Mr.. Vcntnor and
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10

but HOW Do TOU Know SENT TT2"
one Is willing 20 stand for them TIE
surprising thing is that any one should
be willing q send them and run the
risk of being found out.
One case is on record Of the recipient
OF one of these anonymous Insults get
ting even. IL was bright girl who
got the thing I'm the mornings mail
and within an hour posted il to another
girl whom she suspected OF having sent
H. IL turned ont that the guess was
right. The original sender. not sus-
pccting the trap. called. produced the
valentine AMI told tho bright girl that
she was a mean thing for sending it.
"But how do YOU know ] sent it,"
said the bright girl
Too late the original sender saw she
was trapped
If YOU do not believe this good
scheme, gentle reader. try IL for your
self on the next person you suspect Of
having sent you one Of those cheap and
fiendish pieces OF bad manners known
as comic valentines.
But. however other folks may regard
st. Valentines day. il IS no joke to the
pOstman. IL Is said that the original
st. Valentine himself was dubbed TO
death. and the poor carrier who Is COM
PEELED 60 Ing around and deliver hun
dreds Of missivcs In his devoted name
would probably like 10 club few thou
sands OF his disciples 20 death also. As
far as the recipients II the letters are
concerned IL Is only their vanity that
is sore. but the postman Is sore In his
shoulders, legs and general anatomy.
and that Is a sorcness worth mention
ing
IL will never do. however. TO pass up
st. Valentines day as an unmixed evil.
IL has Eladdencd the hearts OF too
many small boys and led too many
blushing young things To the altar FOR
that. II maumony is a boon-and
who dares deny tg-then blessed Is
the day that gives the young man a
chance 10 send love tokens 90 the girl
OF his choice even if he does DO IL I'm
bad poetry. An the sins that have
been committed in the name OF the
good 81. Valentine may he forgiven on
another score. Tho day occasioned a
very sweet little pultran from Eugene
Field u vas found written under his
wite'S picture.
Won arc ss frlr on' s-.e.t ana tender.
nonr. brown -.f' .tt. .r-.t rcert mine
A vr... H ..tf,.. ..u.I.. ana slender.
asked t' lr .u-r -at.l.uc.
A custom th1t ,., cause a sentiment
SO g-ncof .''- .n-.'.} is well worth
pre- .r~-~ g Eugene Field could
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10

Harold laughed loud and long. and the
butler nearly strangled because he held
bis breath 80 as not TO Ice guilty OF
laughing before the family. Norman
laughed little. hut rose TO his feet.
saying:
Miss Amy. this is your valentine. 1
beg you 10 accept TO- Its name is Nor
man Valentine Scifridge."
Amy was uhe color OF the reddest
roses In the see ismen's list and abso-
lutely specchlcss. Mr.. Vsnmor said:
James, you may remove the en-
velOpe"
Later as they sat alone In the parlor
after dinner Amy said:
81 think lt was hOrrid OF YOU"
what, Amy-what was horridg'
ooh. IL was so public"
well, Il Is private now. Amy. may
I-may l-put the ring ong'
I'm not looking" whispered Amy.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10
Kni0bts Of Dptbias,
A,E A, A AND A.

g : /. .. +: :
lou Charity
o the wil6
rites suppGt i'"10'i
ouriab enehto
ecosing
N al office u
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10

her own room.
pa sing the
heshy butler,
who s miled
again, a pecul-
iarly obnOx-
iOus, oily smile
that always ex-
asperated Amy,
for IL showed n
much more init
mate knowledge
Of her affairs
than she liked.
She locked the
door. hung a
towel over the
keyhole and sat
down. for she
n a q gro W n
strangely wonk
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10

Clotheslines and pegs win keep in
good condition much longer. says the
Chicago News, II they are boiled for
ten minutes before using.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10

The Richmond PLANET is the
liveliest weekly Journal in the state
Subscribe for IL now.
Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-02-10
Anu Ventnor'S
Odd Valentine
BIZ OLIVE HARPEe

Y YTTH an unetuous smile the but
VA Ter bowed. rubbing his fat
Wv hands as he said;
Miss Amy. the postman is
coming, and 1 thought I'd tell you go
that you could get the mail this morn
ing"
a wave of color swept to the very
roots Of Amy Nentnor's hair, aud she
tripped lightly down the staircase and
softly opened the door before the post
man could ring.
Yes. ! have quite a few letters
some Of them valentines-yes, here
they are. This is fine big one" the
postman said familiarity, for he had
brought letters ever since Amy was a
schoolgirl.
Amy sorted the letters for the rest
of the family and skipped upstairs 20
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
THE MUZZLE STILL ON.

Governor Utter still refuses to denounce Bray
tonism. He still declines TO pledge himself to use
the power OF the executive Office to put an end to
the boss shameless traffic in the laws of the state
in the office of the sheriff in the state house. He
still refuses to say whether he is for Colt for Wet
more or for somebody else to represent Rhode ISL
and in the United States senate.
Why? No self-respectng citizen believes he
fails TO do these things for any other than
that he fears the anger Of the boss He persists in
protesting that he is Embossed, yet fear muzzes
him and prevents him from denouncing the boss.
Yet George II. Utterl seems to believe the
people Of Rhode Island will vote for him as
OF courage and independence. When they have lost
the power to distinguish between iearessness and
pusillanimty, between freedom from boss control
and supine surrender TO it, they will vote for him.
but not till then.
The governor may gain some idea of the con-
temptible light in which his silence and evasion
have placed him before the people by carefully
reading and pondering the letter of the Rev. Mr.
Willston OF the Darlington Congregational church.
Rev Mr.. Wston is a staunch Republican,
but he puts civic decency above party fealty and
he stands for the political regeneration OF Rhode
Island through the destruction OF Braytonsm. In
his letter TO Governor Utter he says
What you told us the other night to the
helplessness OF the governor to empty the state
house of Brayton or of any boss, because any citi
zen has right to enter that structure, sounded un-
worthy OF the governor of the state. The governor
were he willing to be political martyr could al
most certainly make it impossible, even for Bray
ton, to remain intrenched in the peoples palace
Should he openly denounce the scandal and cause
the public fully to comprehend the cnormity of the
offence against popular government, in word take
the course that Mr.. Higgins declares that he would
adopt he 10 be chosen governor, it is more
than probable that this infamy on the hill might
cease"
In the face OF that smarting rebuke will Gov
ernor Utter still remain faithful to Brayton and
refuse TO attempt to oust him and his scandalous
merchandising from the state house?
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
AN OCTOBER OF STORM.

An almost uninterrupted series OF hurri-
canes along the Atlantic coast has cul-
minated in the great storm which has
swept over Havana and for a time cut
off communication between Cuba and this
United States. From the time of the
wrU,king OF Mobile 10 the storm that
drove the cruiser Brooklyn ashore I'm
Havana harbor and ls now thrashing It's
way out 10 sea. hundreds OF millions OF
dollars OF damage has been done, a thou
sand lives have been lost and the coast
has been strewn with the bones Of many
wrecks
Regular usage calls such a storm a cy-
clone and bestows the same name upon a
Kansas "twister' perhaps only few rods
wide that unroofs houses and kills cattle
In It's freakish path. The Kansas cyclone
ls generally OF short duration.
The true cyclones of the Atlantic coast
are usually either OF West Indian or of
Mantobian origin. The blizzard of the
far northwest may descend upon New
York or he. detected down the ST Law
renee valley The Gulf or West Indian
hurricane may reach New York or 60 out
TO sea off that cape ~ storms-Hatteras
Science gains constantly In the ability
u give warning of such disasters, but
the crowdlne together of modern COM
munlties even more rapidly increases
the opportunities for havoc which a
great storm meets.-New York World
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
NEEDLESS NOISES.

II is the needlessness OF most noises
that renders them insufferable. You sleep
very we'll through the roar or wanuy
storm, but II some ono has forgoren
70 fa.ten a blind and IL begins 20 bang.
then you are lost; you might as well get
I'D and locate that blind and fasten IL
first as last The manifold noises OF your
etea amer's plunge through the night, with
the perpetual wash of the sea, unite In
t, lullaby to which the worst conscience
sinks into repose; but a snorer breaking
from the next stateroom recalls the MEM
ory OF all ones sins. Tho rush and leap
an incessant but varied grind and clans
OF the sleeping car becomes soothing at
last. but a radiator. beginning 10 fizz and
click after the steam has been turned on.
seems TO leave the would-be sleeper no
resource but suicide; X you could get at
the second engineer and leave him well
tering In his gore. you could snatch few
cat-naps before morning: but You cannot
get at the second engineer after midnight
in most hotels Continuous noises and
necessary noises are things you can ad-
1ust your senses OF your spirits TO; but
the noise without a reason. without an
apparent right like the gnawing OF rat
In the wainscot, n what drives 30 many
to perdftion; and the clatter OF the power
dory will probably erelong fill the asylums
from the seaside cottages IL Is not i'm
possible however. that many summer
cottages are now being equipped with ma
chine-guns that will sweep every power
oory from the sea These guns will be
worked on a pivot and will equally clear
the roads OF unmuffled automobiles. and
blow to atoms any motorman about TO
sound the whistle OF a trolley-car.-Har-
per'a.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
Just Going Round

Sarcastic Woman.
He (boastfully)-I can marry any wo-
man 7 please.
She (cynically)-Thats all right; but
are you sure you can please any7-Balti-
more American.
At the waldorf.
She (passing him bill under the table,
Here, take this and pay for the dinner
since you say you have forgotten your
pocketbook
He-sweetheart. how could a man show
a greater love for a woman than by ac-
cepting money from her7-Le Journal
Amusant
What saved Himf
Miss opper-I will never marry your
Denkeisen--Oh, Heavenl I would blow
nv brains out II we were not In the
midst OF the busy season and 1 have so
much 10 dol--Fliegende Blatter.
He Was Angry.
"Do Won know who I amr' demanded
the irate caller
"oh. yes" said the society reporter,
you're Mr.. Hogg, who gave the swell
dinner last night"
''Exaotlyi Now what in thunder did
YOU mean by calling II 'swill dinner In
today's paper7"
He Tried n.
church-when you feel blue. you wan,
10 go out and try some roller skating
gothAm-That's Just what aid.
what was tho result2"
IL came home black and blue" e"-Yon-
kers Statesman.
Natural Answer.
The Professor-Now suppose you had
heen called 10 see patient with hyster-
ics-some one. for instance, who had
started laughing and found Il impossible
20 stop-what would you do7
Doctor-Amputate his funny bone.-Il-
Iustrated Bits.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
AROosTOOK's POTATO CROP

Only those who have recently visited the Aroostook
country I'm Maine have adequate conception OF Its
marvellous eopment agricultural region especially
In the matter OF potato production Statistics duh
cuarly this time OF the unless they have to do
with elections. interest Rhode Island agricu
turalists know Aroostook countys potato
this will reach total of 100000 bushels
To transport this big crop TO more southern markets
will the railway facilities OF Maine and when II is
realized will be readily that the Aroostook farmer
is prospering Indeed he is doing than that he is
rich already he all the luxures
TO be found In metropolitan homes
There handcaps under which the farmers In
Northern Maine laboring chief which
scarcity OF freight transport the products Of
fields The Bangor Aroostook railway Is strain
every command and Il begin
the Aroosook potato crop southwark with sum
cient speed.
The farmers therefore confronted by the serious
problem how prevent the freezing OF their
sheds. cellars filled
overnowng and there millions OF bushels
tected from the cold
year least Aroostook county Is suffering from
plethora OF potato prosperity.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
TALKING AND DOING.

His job done perfunctorily, his fee col
lected. Hughes went off one OF those
'hard-earned' vacations OF three months
In Europe
what in the meantime happened to gas
consumers OF New York?
state lighting commission has been
forced To recommend 50 cents as fair
price for gas legislature has been com
PEELED 10 enact law TO that effect. A
governor had signed it
But tho gas trust paid no heed to COM
mission, legislature or governor. nor did
Charles Hughes. attorney for the state,
but apparently not I'm any sense for the
people. take any steps to force immediate
respect for the law
Passing IL all up to a Federal court he
took his vacation-while the people were
being robbed by the trust.
on the stump he nov decries what Mr.
Hearst has done for the gas consumer.
lie says that Mr.. Hearst has not yet won
the goal OF J0-cent gas.
True enough. But the work Of MIR
Hearst and his associates did secure the
legislature fixing 40 cents as the price
In Greater New York The later work OF
Mr. Hearst and his attorneys has stopped
the gas trust from collecting more than
that price.
The trust IA still dehant--amost as in
solent as Hughes is apologetic II II can
carry on its Illegal and criminal extor-
tions until Hughes shall be eleeted--if
that ever occurs-it will naturally feel
safe
Meantime the consumers bureau, es-
tablished and maintained by Mr. Hearst.
protects the user OF gas against the ex.
tortions OF the trust. While the Republi-
can candidate for governor IL talking
ponderously about the relief which may
be hoped when tho United States supreme
court shall act. William Randolph Hearst
Is enabling every victim TO protect him
self
The difference between talking and do
ing grows more striking day by day. We
readily concede TO MIR Hughes pre-emi-
nence as a talker.--N New York American.
The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
A LITTLE TALK JUST ON
THE MARRIAGE QUESTION

Incompatablity may cover persistent
and Irritating divergence OF habit or pre-
ference In regard 10 almost anything be-
tween two people II has to be between
two--one alone cannot be Incompatible,
any more than one alone can quarrel
What one does that Is irritating the other
must outwardly or nwardly resent An
Incompatible husband means also an In
compatible wife.
I think one OF the oldest things in life
Is the fact that II Is hard to get used 10
the idea that certain things are going 10
persist I'm continually happening whether
one likes them or not. We don't get over
our own peculiar or insistent habits. we
make no effort TO remove them. but we
are continually expecting the other per
son To make the EFFORT and on our ac-
count IL may be a daily irritant that he
doesn't ! knew a good wife once. who
was fond OF her husband and admired
him He was clever. well-educated man.
but he couldn't spell. You never knew
when he would write in a letter that he
had ito new horses" or that he "went TO
New York a weak ago II made no diff
ference that he was shown his errors he
always inteligently understood: but when
II came Ia practice he simply couldn't
spell correctly And his wife could never
get II through her head that the def
cheney was for all time that he Would
never remedy IL by any application to
study. lie was n very delightful kind.
affectionate husband but on this point
she could never have any satisfaction
And II not only worried and mortified her
daily. but IL also seemed 10 be n oontin-
ual surprise 10 her-somethlng she could
not get used to.-Mary Stewart Cutting
In Harpers Weekly.