davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13
Il RARE QlQZQALT 0T.ARRAHAHL LNCQLN

Adam ale from the spring
When Lord Lyons, who WAS during the
Lincoln administration British envoy at
Washington, called At the White House TO
announce the betrothal Of the present
King and Queen ~ England. the presi.
dent listened attentiveiy, and then re
marked In ali seriousness 10 the ,cheior
diplomat: Lord Lyons. do and
do likewise. In receiving &C., 5usa nds
OF callers who visited the White House
Lincoln evidenced remarkable memory.
Greeting at public reception a man
named Flood whom he had met casually
u years before, the president said 81
am glad TO see that the Flood flows on.
A visitor from Nebraska referred 10
place in his state which bore as its name
the Indian equivalent OF weeping wa
ter" but could not recall the name.
We'll" said Lincoln, according to Long
fellow. laughing water is Minnehaha. 20
that suppose This must be AiuneDoo-
hoo.
At another time when a delegation Of
weak need fnanciers had descended upon
.se White iioase with expressions Of mis-
givings az TO the way the ADMINISTRATION
was conducting things Lincoln met their
dire forebodings with the statement
Now, gentlemen, suppose all the prop
erty you were worth was in gold and you
had put II in the hands Of Blondin 10
carry across the Niagara River on a rope,
wouid you continually shake the cable or
would you hold your breath3 The gov
eminent Is carrying an immense weight.
Kec;, silence and we viii get you safe
across
Iincoln's fonduess for children was re-
pestedly illustrated hut in no manner
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13
DPE7ZDEYTZ "
ANU ANElH

ton On one occasion during his boyhood
the town bully entered the store where
he was employed as clerk and raised
disturbance. ignoring the clerks requests
that he behave himself. Well said
Abe, finally. IF you must be whipped.
suppose / may as well whip you as any
other man." and he not only proceeded
to give the ill-behaved visitor thorough
thrashing. but rubbed smart weed" into
his eyes until the fellow beloved with
pain.
This recalls the fact that when, in
later years after his memorable duel
with General Shields, Lincoln was asked
by 4 friend why he had chosen broad
swords as weapons instead Of the cust0-
mary pistols. be remarked 81 did not
want to kill Shields. and felt sure
could disarm him. having bad about
month to learn hroadsword exercise; fur
thermore I didn't want the darned fellow
TO Kill me. which ! rather think he would
have done II we had selected pistols.
1t was while Lincoln was clerk In the
store above mentioned that he received
the nickname Of Honest Abe" on one
occasion. after closing the store at night,
he walked four miles to refund a few
cents to woman whom he had uninten-
tlOnally overcharged for a purchase. His
tory has given great prominence to the
fact that as a young man Lincoln split
rails for the necessaries OF life, but Is
silent as to the terms upon which he
performed this arduous work. The rail
splitting was the means of securing not
only bed and board, but also clothing. At
one time the hard working young man
made bargain with Mrs. Nancy Miller
10 split 400 rails for every yard Of brown
jeans, dyed with white walnut bark, re-
qulred TO make pair Of trousers-no
small contrsct, since the rail splitter Was
tall and ungainly.
Lincoln was appointed postmaster By
President Jackson, and inasmuch as he
did not want 10 be tied down by the du-
ties OF the ofice. he hit upon the novel
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13
CIZpZD DZ1A2hEZ
II MZZYZZNE WA
CELIZ'UpI 100

~ HE manufactured valeA tine which.
A In one fern or another, has become
~ the currency Of love and ridicule,
and as such has circulation millions
strong every amid February Is an In
Bsttution little more than a century old
yet the festival which these missiges
commemorate is an ancient one. Indeed,
had its origin In the old Roman Gus
tom of celebrating In February the
Lupercalia In honor Of Juno and Pan, at
which time each young citizen of the
empire chose companion of the OPP
sosite sex with whom to honor these
gods. When the fathers Of the early
church found that the people chung tcna-
eously to this festival of longing hearts
the Christian priests made Of the pagan
holiday tribute to good St. Valentine
For all that loves celebration by mere
chance. fell upon the day that the church
bad set apart as sacred to St Valentine
the old priest had nothing whatever to do
With the sentiment or practice which has
caused this festival Of love to endure for
all time. On the contrary, instead OF be
ing beloved promoter of tender and ro-
mantle feelings, Valentine was regarded
as a malefactor by the Roman authorities
and was martyred In Rome In the third
eentury, being dubbed to death and thep
heheaded In the Colosseum
Gradually, however, the observance 81
e&e misnamed Roman holiday cverspreas
Burope. The early practices of 81 Val
a@tine's Day on the Continent aboun&e&
N auatnt and fancifui concetrs- Rsr NJ
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

After all, however. II Is the valentines
of oui erest grsndmothers-wh ether the
keepsakcs be OF the home made or early
crudely manufactured variety that pos
sesses the greatest interest for present
day beholders. Eery few Of the present
generation, however. gam an opportunity
to have a peep at the sentimental comics.
sions OF their ancestors. ODDLY enough
none Of our great American museums nun
Der collections OF old valentines among
their treasures and even the famous
Library Of Congress at Washington. which
is 80 rich 10 rare prints and other similar
art objects, has not so much as one old
valentine In its archives Fortunately, how
ever, one private collector in America has
made this his hobby. The collector of this
unique class Of relics Is Mr.. Frank II.
Baer, one OF the Des; bnown railroad on
Gals Of the Middle West, and means and
the opportunity OF travel have enabled
him to compile an art gallery OF old val
entines that numbers hundreds of speci-
mems and h without a peer anywhere In
the world.
The oldest specimens OF valentines IN
this famous collection date FROM the lat
ter part OF the eighteenth century and
are, Of course. boTDe made and o. what b
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

known as the cut paper variety. such
valentines. invariably deiicaicly ca, VITA
sxwtooth edges. were found. wien Gp4ned
10 De filed with written sentiments. The
sheet Of paper employed in making one Of
these valentines VAS about as large MS
pocket handkerchief. hut Il was folded and
rcfOlded Gntii IL was reduced to an area
Of not more than four square inches.
The unfolding Of such valentine treat
ed the recipient 10 continual succession
OF surprises iur instance. 10 THE coliec
tion is valentine SEM 70 Sarah Brett in
1890. and apon he outside Of Walls 10
penned
when You dear this hArte behold,
Twill break as you these lines unfold
The power Of envy cannot pretend
To SAL I have falls verses PEND.
For In the inside, Sweet Turtle Dove,
I've wrote the MORALS 81 my love,
Thou art the maid and only maid
That hast my honest harte trapad.
When the seal was broken the fayerez
young lady found a representation Of two
little PINK hearth and the words;
my dearest dear and blest divine,
] have pictured here your heart and nina.
So The plaintive appeal continues On
various layers Of the valentine until at
ne handwriting Of her poetic admirer ths
words
"if you refuse with me 10 wed
Twill bring destruction to my head.
Pale death at last shall stand my friend
And bring my sorrow 20 an end"
That the demure maldens Of the days q
the minuet would sometimes condeseeDd
to- offer encouragement 10 presumably
bashful sultors is attested to by a number
Of the valentines now yellow with age.
One such token consists Of folded piece
Of cardboard. on the outer portion OF
which is hand painted view Of clarch
and the words;
Let HymeH's bands the nappy knot en-
Irvine
And | will prove faithful valentine
Upon lifting the Zap OF this labor OF
love there is disclosed a view OF the IN
terror OF the church, with Flora and
John, duty labeled, standing before the
altar Anything further would appear to
be supereuous, but, nevertheless, there II
a postscript follows; Relieve I love
thee, my dear Johnny. aud viii be true
and faithful TIL death as do part! Flora "
or Inter date Is a mssive adorned
with hearts, which reads:
February. 1915
ny Much Respected SirI came very
near forgetting that this was a very i'm
por,ant day hui shall nefcr forget the
time when HrsI saw sou. lotr music
inspired my heart with rapture AID yonr
tones OF affection went to the very inmost
nerves Of my soul Now ! hope you win
excuse the bodness with which | now ad-
dress yUu and let the warmth OF my feel
ings be a sufficient apology.
Now Is the time to choose your mate,
The day viii be past and 1t will be too
late;
And pray beware OF airting for this u
loves own day.
am, with great affection, your sweet,
beloved, precious
SALLY CRUIKsHAEKs.
However. any affronted belle had ample
material with which TO repay sights. 4
sample OF the wit OF the age Is seen IN
q crude picture valentine of the year 1904
which bears the lines
~On 60, you little harmless thing,
dandy all so fine.
The Gods | hope Man win bring
= be my valentine"
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

more forcefully than by his love for his
son Tad. Not even Tad's prank Of wxT'
Ing a Confederate dag from a second
story window of the White House Wills
his father was making a speech 20 Unios
veterans directly below seriously ruffied
the patien. President. At oLs of the
White House receptions a little shaver a.
so5n as he entered the main door shoute&
Justify ''Hurrah for Lincoln. The fres4-
dent made no sign that be had Observes
the incident, but when the movement at
the long line Of callers finally brought
the yOungster before the President, LA
colin tossed his dimunitiye guest toward
the ceiling and shouted out "Hurrah fee
you
The marvellous skill and versatility az
Lincoln IN storytelling was largely al
acquired art he. early in his pubne
career, came 10 appreciate the value OF q
good story well told. and was wonderfully
adept In summoning ct u moments notice
witty incidents the recital OF which
chDched his statements more efIectually
than a world Of argument All his life he
got rid OF troublesome friends and trouble
some enemies by telling stories One Il
Llneoln's favorlte stories concerned Dansa
Webster Webster, according 10 LincclE1
version Of the incident, was. when q
schoolboy. one DAY called before the
teacher for some infrsction Of the Fule1
Told 10 bold out bis right hand fw
'feruiipg the lad reluctantly put fortA
decidedly grimy paw. Daniel, saAA
the Disguised pedagogue, " you viii nn&
In this EchoOiroom another hand as nitky
zs that ! viii let you of this time" In
EtAntly from behind the lads back csms
his left hand. Here u is, sir, Was tHe
ready response OF the future orator.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

signed to typify the devotion OF the
artist
Ere long the poets Of the United King.
dom came TO the aid OF lovalorn young
people, and the market began 10 be
flooded with booklets Of appropriate
rhymes" for lovers and sweethearts OF
all ages and stations In life. The hrst
OF these aids to the sentimeDt8lly IN
cIined appeared about 1880, and there
after they continued In vogue with no
loss Of popularity until about 1890. Some
Of these booklets were issued annually
like almanacs each new edition stored
with the very latest productions Of the
Doetasters.
Along about 1900 the manufactured val
entine. ready prepared and complete IN
every detail. began TO make its appear
ance and gradually these tokens Of affee-
ton begaE to sgpulant the home made va
riety, even though The publishers Of valen-
tine text books redouL'ed their efforts TO
provide their patrons with fascinating
illusions. Gradually valentine msnuf&c-
ture grew from the simple processes TO
the creation Of those Or te coneoctions
Of lace paper, silver and gold, artificial
flowers and embossed pictures. with which
the world has become fst, liar during more
recent years
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

"a o. Ous! MAS Abraham Lincoln The
q grea test story teller who ever lived.
B nut he was the hero OF more good
stories than any other man in Americas
gallery OF heroes Admittedly, nothing
% efiertually throws the limelight upon
the private and public career of any
celebrity as the little anecdotes and If l.
&ents which are seldom a matter OF
% cial or historic record Quite natural
By, therefore, the biography Of any man
prominently in the public eye is certain
TO be raked with fne-tooth comb for
those minor happenings that disclose so
much more regarding his real character
than any array Of dates and data.
Only too often the anecdotes that are
unearthed regarding a popular idol are
sadly disappointing. The points made are
obscure or the humor Is seemingly forced,
and altogether the gossip is not very con
Fincing. Not so In the case Of Lincoln,
however. On the one hand. Lincoln was
famous for his pungent, pithy aud prae-
teal stories drawn from an apparently
inexhaustible source and always available
on every occasion. On the other hand,
the Civil War President was himself the
central figure In hundreds of good stories
that were Illuminating in their discIos
ures of his dry humor, kindly sympathy
and keen insight into human nature.
Lincoln delighted TO tell Of the high
price which he as a small boy paid for
a copy Of Weem's life Of Washington"
de had borrowed the book from 4 neigh
boring farmer, and was SO unfortunate as
t. leave IL near an open window, where Il
drenching rain seriously damaged it. He
vent over TO the owner and made a clean
breast OF the matter. whereupon the mag
unanimous farmer said We'll Abe, SO
long as IL is you, ! won't be hard on you
Just come over and pull fodder for me
for couple of days and / will call it
square"
The martyr President was known as
a man who preferred peace whenever pos
sible, but he could 6ght upon provoca-
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

that I found many new plants and
some that are entirely new to the
United States. Some of them will be
of particular value to agriculturists In
the northwest One great trouble in
the west has been to grow plants in
what used to be known as the desert
sections. aud some of the plants which
found, will l believe, thrive there
thus decreasing the area Of The desert
ard at the same time afford food for
live stock upon which man depends
large measure for his success in that
portion OF the country.
Hansen said that he had heard ref
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

to Secretary wilson said Hansen. 4
left Washington on July II last, 60
ing direct TO England, and thence to
Lapland, Norway and Sweden, Fin
land and across Russia and Sih ria
to Vladivostok, and from there to
Japan and to this city. 1 do not
speak Russian, but had no difficulty
in traversing that great country, and
all through Siberia, although had
no picnic. A previous experience on
trip there was of some help. On
this more extended journey I made
many side trips.
1T is not too much for mo to say
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

pupils told of it in this wise
"Dey TUX Duh white teachers away
and done sent us nisgah teachers
and de fust thing dc niggah teacher
done was tc nut all de white nlgeans
in de front and de black nigshas in
de back. and den she say she want
aibs'iute silence What IS aibs1ute
silence anyway? We willin 70 glib
4 to her, but we amt know what lis
We huntin' all round foh AIDS lute
silence ar aip't found it yit.'
His ltener replied; Why. Jonn
don't yc'I know what absolute silence
means It means TO keep quiet, and
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

Valentines Day or be barred from the
frolics Of the occasion. The manner Of
the pairing or OF .nese ardent SWANS
and maidens was rather a novel one.
ON the evening preceding the festival
day an equal number OF bellies and bach
elors assembled at some appointed rem
devious and each wrote his 3ame upon
billet, which was rolled up and placed
with others Of it's kind in a basket. Then
occurred a drawing Of lots, the maids
taking the meas biilets and the men the
maids, 30 that each OF the young men
had designated by fate q girl whom he
called his valentine, and TO each young
lady was delegated an escort whom she
called hers. The plan bad the disad-
vantage that each person In the company
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

really had two valentines, but this PROB
LEM was IN measure solved by the
written law that each man should be
more loyal to the valentine that had
fallen to him than TO the valentine to
whom be had saiien. After loves lottery
had thus divided the company into Coz
pies the valentines gave balls. provided
treats OF one Kind or another for their
mistresses and wore their biiicts on their
. sleeves for several days AS was TO be
expected sucn tempungs Of fate frequent
ly fostered romances that ended In mar
rage.
Merry England was also the country
Ia which tie practice Of sending ralen-
tines H. the form OF love laden messages
found earliest favor. One explanation ad-
vanced for this was that the British
swain, though quite IS amative as his
cousins on The Continent. did not possess
the agile tongue OF the Southern races
mar the holiness Of the Latins In love
making Consequently, tradition runs
the young Dritons early adopted the plan
Of dispatching tender verses or compii-
mentary pictures Ia Ikea of verbal decLa-
"a tons Of affection, At FIRST the messer-
gers Of love were bone made verses.
penne-d In eolored ink and accompanied IN
may Instances by 3 crude drawing De-
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

expedient OF converting himself into
portable postoffice. Whenever he had oc-
casion to go about he carried all undeliv-
cred letters In his hat, and any patron Of
the office who wanted bis mail had only
to locate the postmaster in order TO Sc
cure IL Immediately
The first political speech made by Lin
coin was delivered in 1892, when be was
q years of age. 1t was on the occasion
of a debate, and his opponent, the rival
candidate. had wearied the audience, 10
Lincoln contented hiIaself with the follow
Ing: Gentlemen, Fellow citizens: / pre-
sumo you know who | am ] am humble
Abe Lincoln. ! have been solicited By
many friends to become a candidate for
the legislature. My politics can be brteay
stated. ] am in favor OF the Internal i'm
provement system and high protective
tariff. These are my sentiments and po-
litical principles. II elected shall be
thankful, II not II will be all the szue. :"
After Lincoln entered the state segSsla
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

until found a man more homely than my
self Now ! think VOC are entitled TO the
property"
During the Civil War committee ap-
pesred before President Lincoln and de-
manded the removal of &c leral Grant be
cause. as the spokesman put II, He
drinks too much whisky. BY the way,
gentlemen" dryiy remarked l5ccoln "e2n
any Of you tell me where General Grant
procures his whisky because II can 1pd
out will send barrel of il 20 ever
general In the field For oil that Lincoln
was broad minded he was personally most
temperate. On one occasion when be en-.
tertained a party Of politicians who plain
ly expected some liquid refreshment be
had huge old china pitcher brought In
and announced Gentlemen. we must
pledge our mutual heslths In the MOTT
healthy beverage which God has given to
man. II is the only beverage ! have ever
used, and / cannon conscieDtlouEly depart
from IL on the present oecasion-it lie pure
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

stance, in Italy young people took to fol-
lowing singing birds until led by the
winged messengers OF song into the pres
enee OF their valentines. In France the
youthful believers In romance were wont
to seek secluded woodland pools IN the
hope OF finding mirrored therein the faces
OF their destined loves.
It was In England and Scotland, how
ever, the festival attained the most uni
verssl popn 4rity from Its earliest intro
ductson. and that the most hilarious spirit
characterized Its observance. In ye oaden
time the youAg folk drew loU for one
9nothef oa the eve Of St. Valentines
Day, and the swain who was Dot fore
hanSc1 mngt needs audAcioumly choose q
swaenf1xe osf OF hand at sunYSnH On 81
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

ture his feliow members had no end Of fun,
with him. They teased him numerically
about his large feet and once when he
complained of cold a quick witted con
frere remarked that it was no wonder be
was cold there is SO much OF him on the
ground" However. Lincoln had a way OF
turning the joke on the other fellow In
the most unexpected manner. Once when
he had agreed TO trade horses sight IN
seen with a brother lawyer he showed
up at the appointed hour with saw
horse on his shoulders.
The witty statesman was always willing
to join in a laugh at his own expense.
He never tired of gleefully recouuting an
experience when travelling when fellow
passenger on the train graTely informed
Lincoln that he had something that be-
loneed to him. When the future president
inquired what IL was bis new aeqUsint-
aBce produced a POcketknife and said
'rhis knife was given 10 me some years
age with the injunction that ! keep It
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

erence made to Luther Burbank Of this
state in nearly every country he visit.
ed. Burbank, he said. was famous the
world over for his diseoyerise in the
horticultural and agricultural field.
Hansen brings back to this country a
species of cherry that is expected 10
thrive well in the most northerly iati-
tude.-San Francisco Chronicle.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

manufactured last year to the value
Of $167 200, ami in 1900 of $3l5,S05.
In 1905 21,S46000 vitrified paving
brick were manufactured, valued at
S200,S46, and in 1900 26,S53,O00, val
ued at $208,924 Sewer pipe accord
ing to this, increased in value from
$3.50 to S5.63 per ton in the I'VE
years, and paving brick from s7.7S 10
1919 per thousand.
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

Ohio Manufactures in 1905 and 1900
During the year 1905 there was
manufactured in tn state OF Ohio,
according to the latest bulletin Of tue
census bureau, 522.199 tons of sewer
pipe. valued at s2,939,772 as against
4cG Ago tons in 1900, valued at 81.
ESQ. 724. Electrical conduits were
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13
RARE PLANTS FROM SIBERIA.

Representative of Department of Agri-
ture Returns From Tour.
N. e. Hansen, explorer for the de-
partment of agriculture at Washing
bon, arrived on the steamer Chit from
q tour of the world. in search Of rare
specimens of plants and trees. that
would be Of economic value to the
farmers Of the United States. He
was successful in his mission, but
declined to go into details regarding
his discoveries.
II must first make my official report
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

not talk
HUH" said John, is dat all she
mean? Ven, why amt she say shet
up. like de white teacher does, sted
o. walking round heah as5in for abs
lutte silonce?'
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13
ABSOLUTE SILENCE.

A certain colored school In South.
ern city. formerly taught by white
teacher had been equipped with a
colOred faculty. and one Oh the iusky
Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-02-13

Fire Destroys Church.
Muscatine, Iowa, Feb. 3.-The Con
gregational church was destroyed by
fire Saturday. The loss IS $50 900