davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
ST. VALENTINES DAY.

st. Valentines day! And midst old recol-
lections
That rush to my heart with an echoins
Joy,
I remember once more the old hopes and
objections,
When you were a girl, dear, and l was a
boy;
When | sent you a rose on that February
morning.
And with Ii a passionate rhyme battling
lay,
And met your reproaches and well-acted
scorning
BY Whispering Sweet, It's st. Nalen
tines day -
And the sky was so blue, and the sunshine
so yellow,
And the soft southern wind blew so shril-
ly and sweet,
And each tiny bird sung so loud 10 Its fell
low,
While the snowdrops and crocuses bloom
ed at your feet.
Small wonder our hearts broke to tremuous
As we learned In the wonderful, old fash
Toned way
What the earth and the sky and the air
were repeating
In mystical cadence of Valentines day.
And now that the crazy-sweet babble and
laughter
or golden-haired children have runs in
our ears,
And brought us the hope of tender here
after
To link TO the thought of those far-away
years
Once more In the words of the happy boy
lover,
veil deeper meaning in whimsical way
A meaning your heart will be quick to dis
cover
BY Whispering Sweet, tits st. Valen-
tines day !"
The Housekeeper.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
His Time to Get Even.

Say, old fellow" said Brown, as he
laid his hand familiarly on Potter's Shout
der, didn't l see you in the stationer's
a day or two ago looking at valentines ~
lyon probably did, as 1 was in there"
was the answer.
Buying for some sister or niece?"
"No-for my wife"
But you are over so years old and
have been married a quarter of a CEN
fury. You don't say that you are still
romantic?"
Il say this-that my wife can beat me
at argument or scolding or doing as she
pleases whether 1 like it or not. She's
obstinate and pig-headed and touchy, and
the only way 1 can get even with her
is on Valentines day. Then l get 100 of
the meanest burlesque valentines 1 can
find and send them to her, and for the
next three months she's wondering who
sent 'em and treats me fairly WELL Try
it once. 1t is a good deal better than
threatening her with the family Ak"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
LincoIn's Specfffc Life Work.

One often thinks of his life as cut off.
but no great man since Caesar has seen
his life work ended as did Lincoln. Ma
poleon died upon desert rock but rot
until Austerlitz and Wagram had By
come memories. and the dust of the EN-
pire even as all dust. Cromwell knew
that England had not at heart materially
altered. Washington did not know that
he had created one of the great. perhaps
the greatest, empires to be known to
man. But Lincoln had a specific task to
do-to save his country and to make it
free-and on that fateful 14th of April
he knew that he had accomplished both
things.
There are those who would say that
chance put this man where he was 70
do this work. To the thoughtful mird
it was not chance, however, but design,
and that the design of which all great
ness is part. War is inueed the cruel
bic of the nations. 1t is the student OF
century hence who shall properly place
the Civil War in American history. But.
whatever that place be. there can be no
doubt OF the position in it of the war
President. Like William the Silent, his
eohthn'aoh VI GA oSodI hiiu was d Hat'
ter not of personal desire. but of abso.
lutte and constant growth. There ere few
more interesting characters in history
than Lincoln. There is none who in
quite the same manner fits himself SC
absolutely into his circumstances. 1t is
the highest form of genius that so pro
duces as to make production seem eff
fortress. and it is perhaps the greatest
of all tributes to Lincoln that what hi
did seems sometimes only what the aver
age man would have done in his place.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
Helping Out China.

Very properly the Senate of the Uni
ted States acting ON the recommends
ton of President Roosevelt, has voted
to relieve China Of nearly $13,OOO,OOO
Of the obligation growing out Of the
Boxer uprising
The original award amounted to
nearly $30,OOO,OOO, every cent of which
the government can collect, if it so de-
sires. But the President, acting in a
spirit Of amity and fairness, suggested
to Congress the ACCESSIBILITY of remit
ting that amount, which represents ex-
emplary damages, and accepting such n
sum only as will reimburse us for the
damages actually incurred by Individ-
uals and fer the nations expenses in
sending our warships to the scene of
the outbreak.
Formal announcement of the Presi-
dents intention was made several
months ago to the Chinese ambassador
who, in turn, conveyed the appreciation
Senate has confirmed the offer China
will be promptly released from liberal
part of her obligation.
This voluntary remission OF q debt
that is acknowledged by the law of ma
tions to be just and reasonable is prac-
tically unknown in history. But it is
recognition of a principle that should
obtain among all nations, and If it es-
tahlisheS a precedent other countries
sooner or later, will share in a benefit
that to-day is exclusively for China.
Damages should not be assessed against
an offending nation in proportion to its
ability to pay. but with view to re-
pairing the injury inflicted.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
"You Might See Me Through

Abraham Lincoln during the war fire.
quently visited the hospitals and address
ed cheering words to the wounded SOL
diers.
On one occasion he found young fell
low whose leg had been amputated, and
who was evidently sinking fast.
rs there anything l can do for you?"
asked Lincoln.
You might write letter to my moth
er," was the faint reply.
The President wrote at the youths die
tntion: My dear mother, l have been
slot bad, but am bearing up. l tried to
do my duty They tell me cannot re-
cover God bless you and father. Kiss
May and John for me-"
At the end came these words as post
script: This letter was written by Abra-
ham Lincoln"
When the boy perused the epistle and
saw these added words, he looked with
astonished gaze at the visitor as he ask
ed Are you our PresidentT'
Yes" was the quiet answer; land now
you know that, is there anything else
can do for you?'
Feebly the lad said, Il guess you might
hold my hand and see me through
London s. S. Times.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
Games for st. Valentines Day

A pleasant sort of entertainment for
little folks can be got out of The follow
ing plan: As many valentines as there
are children are written and slipped into
tiny envelopes. The children then choose
q postman from their number and blind
fold him. The postman is given an ell
vclope and delivers it 70 any child he
can catch. The one caught in turn BE-
Genes postman, and the game so pro-
Cee(is until all the children have received
letters. There are many variations TO
the game, such as announcing each post
to be from some distant city, as Denver,
Philadelphia, Chicago, etc. The mails
should be called quickly and the spol t
not allowed to lag.
Another pleasant little game is played
b; concealing a number of different col
ored candy hearts about the room be-
fore the little guests arrive. Then at a
signal the hunt begins. 4 white heart
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
SHORT STATE ITEMS.

Another victim of the corn shredder
machine has been added in Manitowoc
county. George Monk, a farmer, lost his
left hand in the machine.
Ellsworth Peterson of Cashton froze
his hands and feet, necessitating ampu-
tation of nearly all his fingers 1t may
be necessary to amputate his feet.
Lawrence university students have baen
told that at the close of the present
semester they will have to sign an agree
ment not to frequent billiard or pool
rooms or they will not be allowed to re-
enter school,
Burglars attempted the robbery of the
home of City Attorney F. w. Dicke at
Two Rivers. The house was thoroughly
ransacked and it is believed the thief was
in search of papers in a case in which
Mr. Dicke is attorney.
Concerning the rumor to the effect
that the Chicago and Northwestern rail-
road was contemplating taking off the
Ashland division trains, it is learned that
the plan which was to have been put into
effect Jan. 10 has been abandoned.
Peter Herzog, who has been a resident
of Racine for sixty-seven years, cele-
brated his ninety-seventh birthday
DIR. James T. Bowles. sanitary chemist
in the hygiene laboratory of the College
of Agriculture at the University of Wis
consin was called to Sheboygan to inves-
tigate the cause of the recent epidemic of
typhoid fever in that city.
The southern Wisconsin conference of
r. L lo,l
that the economic theory of socialism was
not so dangerous as many people think,
but that some of the manifestations of its
adherents are too radical.
Miss Josephine Malone, who was found
dead at GAINESVILLE, was buried from the
Roman Catholic church in that city. The
fact that the funeral was permitted shows
the suicide theory is discredited and the
death is considered a murder.
Gustav Frenz, a prominent farmer iiv-
ing few miles southwest of Cedarburg,
while driving home the other evening was
struck by car No. 1 of the Milwaukee
Northern Railroad Company, on cross
ing His body was found about So feet
from where the car struck him. mangied
almost beyond recognition, life being ax-
tinct His horse was also killed, lying
on the opposite side of the track.
Wisconsin might riders" have threat
ened Waukesha county farmers who do
not refuse to sell milk to Milwaukee deal
ers at the prevailing rate, which the farm
ers claim is too low to yield them a profit.
The jury in the embezzlement case
against c. W. Milbrath brought in a ver-
dict of guilty in Milwaukee. The Mil
brath company, large operator in real
estate. failed in 1905 with 800 in cash
assets and $4,000 liabilities.
Adelbert E. Bleekman, for many years
q leading member of the Wisconsin bar,
died in La Crosse, aged GO. Mr.. Eleek-
man, when mere boy. took part in all
the battles of Grants campaigns Of 1854
and was mentioned for gallantry.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06

lo33-Henry VIII. privately married to
Ann Boleyn at Whitehall.
1571-Queen Elizabeth opened the first
Royal Exchange in London.
1IS6-Virginia invited the States to
general conference to form less re-
stricted constitution.
1T94-William Bradford of Pennsylvania
became Attorney General of United
States.
1S07-Congress officially informed OF
Aaron Burr's conspiracy.
1S14-Pope Plus VII. dismissed from
Fontainbleau.
1s15-Thanksgiving in New Orleans over
Gen. Jackson's victory.
1S26-Peru evacuated by the Spanish.
1S32-Mazzini founded Young Italy. =
w. l.. Marcy of New York declared
in the Senate, ITO the victorS belong
the spoils.'
1S34-St. Louis Castle, at Quebec, de-
stroyed by fire.
1S45-CongresS fixed the first Tuesday
after the first Monday in November
as the time for presidential elections.
1S54-Stephen \. Douglas of Illinois in
PRODUCED the Kansas Nebraska bill in
the Senate.
1S56-Steamer Pacific, with 1876 passen-
gers, left Liverpool for New York
and was never heard of again.
1S65-Library of the Smithsonian In
stitution at Washington burned.
1S66-At his own request, Gen. Hood re-
lieved of his command.
1S7O-Prince Arthur. third son of Queen
Victoria, arrived in New York.
1S71-Statue of Abraham Lincoln at
Washington unveiled.
1S79-British entered Zululand and de-
feated the natives. .Zulus defeated
the British at Isandula.
SS1-Egyptian obelisk placed in Central
Park New York
1SS2-Charles A. Guiteau, the assassin
of President Garfield, sentenced to
death.
1S94-Midwinter fair opened at San
Francisco.
1S96-Fifty-five lives lost in colliery ex-
plosion in South Wales.
1901-Accession of King Edward VII.
1903-German ships bombarded San
Carlos over the Venezuelan affair.
1905-Samuel II. Piles elected United
States Senator from Washington. 80.
Atlantic coast swept by a terrific
blizzard
1906-Steamer Valencia wrecked off VAN
couver island, with loss of III lives
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
Who Rocked the Boat 8

Certain Democratic orators in Con-
gress seem TO take special delight in
attributing to President Roosevelt the
blame for the recent panic. And there
is a suspicion that their voices are
pitched just trifle higher to accom-
modate certain members on the other
side whose ears are attuned 10 that
kind of music. 1t is noticeable. too,
that since the opening of Congress,
statesmen in foreign lands discussing
the money situation of the world, have
laid the stringency at the door of the
President as an original discovery.
Now, it is acknowledged on all sides
that the financial skies are clearing
the wheels of industry are acquiring
their normal speed and the people are
recovering from the fright that inn
PEELED the withdrawal from circulation
Of hundreds of millions of dollars. The
stock market, which nearly collapsed
beneath the weight of liquidation, is
catching its breath and traders are pre-
pairing for a season of buOyant activity.
If the President were responsible for
this loss of confidence, what has he
since done or what has been done to
him to reverse the current? He has
not changed his policies. If ne has
amended his utterances which We're so
offensive to Wall street, the people are
not aware of it. There are no surface
indications that the administration has
suspended its program of prosecuting
the rich malefactor and the lawless
corporation. Affairs of the government
are moving much the same as they were
a year ago
But no one will deny that some
thing has occurred to reassure the peo-
pie, else the financial ship would still
be pounding on the rocks of distrust.
And the truth is that the history of the
furry furnishes ready solution to the
whole affair. 1t was Wall street ma
nipulation pure and simple, but the
effect was not what was anticipated.
Instead of forcing the administration
to about face, the conspirators came
near pulling the temple down upon
themselves. 1t was the Spectators who
were hard hit, while the conservative
business interests emerged with scarce
ly scratch. The utter failure OF the
movement and the housekeeping that
was promptly begun to make q repe-
tition of the experience more difficult
have proved to the people that the days
of Wall street domination are past.
And that of itself begets confidence.
But the very fact that the financial
ship is getting back on an even keel
without the President changing his po-
sition should convince the intelligence
of the country that it was not lie WHO
rocked the boat-TOledo Blade
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
WOMEN SHUN HOODOo BRIDGE
Travel Over Court Street Span in
JnnesyiIle Is Reduced.

Travel Over Court Street Span in
Jnnesvi1e Is Reduced.
Chief of Police Appleby of GAINESVILLE
has issued a proclamation Directing to the
many published articles by certain Chi
cago and Milwaukee papers regarding the
death of Mrs. Madelyn Clayton and Miss
Josephine Malone. claiming that the re-
ports have given the city bad name and
have frightened women so that they dare
not appear on the streets after dark with
out an escort. Traffic over the ill-famed
Court street bridge, near which the two
bodies were found. has practically been
abandoned at night and but few women
pass there during the day. Business in
that locality has been injured. Chief Ap-
pleby, District Attorney Fisher and Sher-
lift Fisher are firm in their opinions that
the two women either took their own
lives or met death by accident No effort
will be made to unrayel the mystery I'M
less strong unexpected developments APP
pear.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
BAD BLAZE AT WAUKESHA.
Globe Elevator Burns and Much
Property Is in Peril.

Globe Elevator Burns and Much
Property Is in Peril.
The Globe elevator in Waukesha, own
ed by James |. Brimmer, was destroyed
by fire of unknown origin, entailing loss
of between $4,000 and $4,000 There
was insurance of $4,000 on the building
and $4,000 on the grain, of which there
was between 10000 and 10000 bushels
The firemen were handicapped by the fact
that the hydrant to which the first line of
hose was attached was frozen. The
chances of saving the elevator were h. pc
less from the first, but by hard work the
iiremen managed to save the elevator and
warehouse of the Hoag & Rankin Com
pany and other nearby buildings. Large
oil tanks of the Standard Oil Company,
located but a few rods from the elevator,
were threatened for time.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
LEAP YEAR BRIDGE is AGED 10.
Romance of Half Century Ends in
Union of Long Parted Souls.

Romance of Half Century Ends in
Union of Long Parted Souls.
Mrs p. NJ. Leffingwell of Chicago and
S. Z. Carpenter of Superior were mar
ried the other day after a leap year Gull
mination to d fifty-year romance. The
groom is u and the bride 20 years of
age. In 1859, when both were residents
of Palmyra, they became engaged but
Carpenter soon went to California in
search of gold Finally letters ceased
to come from the young man. and the
Borrowing girl gave him up as dead. After
some years Miss Mckenzie married LET
hngwell and moved to Chicago Two
months ago she accidentally heard that
the lover of her youth was still alive,
and, having been widowed in the mean
time, and it being leap year, wrote him a
note telling him of her situation.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
Overworked Intellect.

Stories about Lincoln. IL tkey are gen
uine, are always interesting and generally
amusing. Here is one which will be i'm
mediately recognized as characteristic:
Mr. Lincoln was once trying case on
western circuit, some years before he
had acquired more than a local reputa-
ton. His opponent was pretentious
man whose argument was voluble and
rhetorical. but devoid of conference or
Logic. When his pyrotechnic eloquenee
had spent itself Mr.. Lincoln replied some
what as follows:
Gentlemen of the jury: | have enjoy
ed. as every one in this court room must
have enjoyed, the extremely fluent and
eloquent words to which We have list
ened But while the rhetoric Of my
learned opponent is unimpeacbable, L
confess myself unable to detect anything
in his argument which has any bearing
upon the case in hand, or indeed upon
anything at all.
Il have been driven to the conclusion
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
HAIR IGNITES IN CHURCH.

Woman Is Severely Burned by
Getting Near Overheated stove.
The ignition of celluloid collar from
the heat of a nearby stove set on fire the
hair of Mrs. William Runzler while she
was in the church. and she was severely
burned before the fire was extinguished.
Mrs. Runzler was attending services at
st. Johns Lutheran church in Burling-
ton and sat near the stove. In an in
slant her hair was mass of flames. The
sight nearly created a panic among the
Worshipers, but cooler heads restrained
the mob and put out the fire. 1t is feared
that Mrs. Runzler inhaled the flames. She
will be marked for life if she RECEIVERS.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
Abraham Lfncolu's Astuteness.

A leader of the Lincoln party told a
story of the astuteness of Lincoln as a
lawyer.
when Lincoln was practicing law"
he said, "he had case involving a dis
puted will. The opposition claimed that
the will was genuine, and for several
hours adduced proof of this. For Lin
coin, who had TO prove the will for
gerry, things looked black.
Lincoln, however, called only one
witness, retired paper manufacturer,
renowned the country over for his wealth
and probity.
"sMr. DASH Lincoln said to the wit
ness, handing him the disputed will,
please hold that paper up to the light
and tell us what is the watermark on
IT,
1.-The watermark of my own firm,
Blank s. Co.. the witness answered
"'When did your firm begin to man.
utacturs paperT
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
DYNAMITE BLOWS UP BowLERs.
Mayville Banqueters Seriously In
jured During "FlashIight" Pose.


Seated at banquet board at the home
of George Cooling. manager of the May
vile Office of the Wisconsin Telephone
Company. fifteen guests, members Of the
Honey Boy" and Teddy Bear bowling
teams, were knocked senseless by the ter
rife explosion of a quantity of dynamite
When the smoke hal cleared away and
consciousness had been recovered by some
OF the victims of the accident. it vas
found that Mr. Cooling had suffered Sc
we're injuries, two fingers and the thumb
of his right hand being blown of. Leo
Schwartz had been hit on the breast with
a portion of the explosive and seriously
burned about the head and shoulders. 1t
is not thought, however, that he will lose
his eyesight. Other guests suffered loss
of hair and eyebrows and serious and
painful burns. The banquet guests were
posing for fiashlight photograph OF the
assemblage and the accident was due to
the fact that some one had allowed some
high explosive TO became mixed with the
flash light powder.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06

that the intellect of my learned friend
has no control over his organs of speech,
and while he talks his mind ceases entire
ly to act.
HE reminds me forcibly of a little
steamboat l used to see occasionally upon
the Sangamon river, which had a five
foot boiler and a seven-foot whistle.
Whenever the boat whistled the engines
were obliged to stop workingn'
The aptness and homely humor of the
Illustration set bench, jury and bar in a
roar, and the case was won without fur
Their effort.-Youth's Companion.
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
Transform ed.

How did your son get along at col
lege?"
well" replied Farmer Haystack, 1T
certainly made~a new man of him"
Indeed, In what way?"
Hes forgotten everything he ought
to know about the farm and learned
everything he ought not to know about
the city"
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
His Valentine.

My Valentine | seize my pen
To write to you the yearly verse;
L shall not tune my Tyre again
To raptures which my soul immerse;
L shall not praise your sapphire eyes,
Nor sing the archness of your look
All, no! 1 chant your bread and pies,
My Valentine, for you can cook
My Valentine, 1 love the glow
The ruby glow so softly spread
Upon your tempting velvet cheek
When you have been n baking bread.
Your hair is golden, thick, and fine,
In cleaning coil, and curl and loop,
And best of all, oh, one divine,
l never find it in my soup.
My Valentine Let others write
Their lyrics to your hands and brow.
Your biscuits are as feathers light,
Your cakes are tempting, anyhow.
Let others sing your charms so sweet,
With poetasters gentle art
For me, the things you make to eat
Have won the highway to my heart.
What to Eat
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-02-06
FIND ITCH IN SCHOOL.

Disease Prevalent in Severest Form
Throughout Marathon County.
The itch is so prevalent in one of the
school districts in the town of Stettin
that steps have been taken to close the
school for few weeks and thus prevent
the further spread of the disease. Re
ports from other parts of the county are
to the effect the disease is prevalent and
every precaution is being taken TO pre-
vent the malady from spreading. The
form of the disease is very severe in most
cases and those afflicted suffer extremely