davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
ORIGIN OF ST. VALENTINES DAY.

1t is said that st. Valentine, a bishop
OF Rome. was beheaded on the 14th OF
February. The old notion was that
birds in Southern Europe began to cou-
pie on that day, and SO the habit was
formed by young persons to choose
each other as valentines by sending
token In the form of a letter or picture.
Some valentines are very beautiful, and
some are SO funny they are called comic
valentines. The best way to send
valentine is to push it under the door.
ring the bell quick. and run. l like
this better than to send by mail. 1t is
SO much fun.
LUCILLE GWATHMEY.
2SO2 East Marshall ST.,
CITY
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
ANSWERS.

OF the Emperor Claudius II. He suf-
fered martyrdom. being beheaded in
his youth, and was put upon the list
OF saints. He was distinguished for
his love and charity, ana this is why
on st. Valentines Day. February 14th,
we often send valentines to our espe-
cial friends, or sometimes choose Il
sweetheart. On st. Valentines birds
are supposed to choose their mates. At
Rome on that day the names OF young
women were put into box and drawn
by young men.
BY MILDRED N. P. LEWIS,
Csmont, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
AUNT KETTLES VALENTINE.

Ella aud Belle were twin sisters.
They told their mother that they
wanted to send some valentines. but
they thought they We're too small.
not too small; there are different kinds
of valentines. Why don't you write a
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
CLUB RULES.

l. 1t is necessary to apply by letter
to the editor for IL membership badge.
Afterward. to be member in good
standing, it is necessary to be reg
ular and Interested worker along some
line preferred--that liz. in the writing
of stories, puzzles or letters, or IN
drawing.
2. 1t is necessary to write in ink and
on one side of the paper only; to write
neatly and distinctly, with attention to
punctuation and spelling. All original
composition will receive preference
over selected articles.
3. 1T is specially necessary TO sign
everything sent in-not letters merely.
but everything-with the full name and
address OF the sender
a. Only those drawings done with a
pen, in black ink. on white paper. VIII
be accepted. as others cannot be repro
duced.
3. Prizes arc awarded weakly and
medals given monthly for the best con-
tributions during the week and the
month, Stories must be limited in
length to 1bo words. Look to this II
you desire to see them in print. Let
ters should not he over 100 words. and
as much under as possible.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
Letters From
Our Children.

Gear Editor II would like to join the r.
D g. c. like to read the stories in tht
T, o. G. c. page. am ten years old. Yourf
truly, KARL BOWMAN. q
Ills ". Clay Street
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,--f would like to be mems
Dor OF your club Please send me badge
as am very much interested. Yours truly,
CHARLES WATERS.
sis s. Cherry Street. city.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
THE SNOW.

Listen! Hear the wind assigning
Through the oak, bereft of leaves
See the snow while gently falling
Slowly it's white cover weaves.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Edltor,--r would Ike to become /
member Of the T. d. G.. C.. Piense send
mo a badge. am little girl nine yeai
old From your little friend
ANNIE D. SPENCER.
sos Main Street Danville, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Edtor,-r am little girl nins
years old. would like to Join the T. D. c.
q Please send me a badge. Your new
member. ELIZABETH SCOTT, =,
yinIta Va,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
sur. VALENTINE.

st. Valentine was a presbyter or
priest He lived at Rome in the reign
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
Llsr oF CoNrR1nurons.

Anderson. p. n. Harvey, X.
Baber, Julian 7. Harvey, Hazel
herman, Title Hutchinson. C.. 3.
Bryant 4. Ct. Johnson. Theresa
Burke. Robert Lewis. Mildred
Childs, John e. Lombard. Msude
Coates, 1sla Owen, Anne
Cridlin, Virginia Robertson, S. l..
Early, S. Lucille Sampson. u. x.
Firesheets, Lucille Starritt, William
Flanagan. l.. station l.. B..
Goheen, Elizabeth Waddell, G.
Green, l.. c.. Wartman. NJ, A.
Gwathmey, Lucille Watson, NJ. S.
Garrow. Mary Winbish. Il. NJ.
Nimbish f. e.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor.---r would like to become a
member of the 7. n. c. c.. We get The
Times Dispatch every day. I like to read
tbs funny part and the Chlldrcn's Page very
much, Please send me a badge. Your new
member. KATHARINE COLES.
| Chanevs
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
A Tree Puzzle.

A Tree Puzzle.
I. What's the social tree?
2 And the dancing tree?
3. And the tree that - nearest the sea?
4. The dandiest tree?
s. And the kissabe tree?
6. Xnd the tree where ships may be?
I. What's the telltae tree?
s. And tie traitors tree?
9. And the tree that's warmest clad?
10. The languishins tree?
IL. The chronologlst's tree?
IL. And the tree that makes one sad7
1s. What's the emulous tree?
IA. The industrious tree?
IL. And the tree that Will ne'er stand still?
49, The unhealthiest tree?
IL The Egyptian plague tree?
is. And tie tree neither up nor down hill2
10. The contemplate tree?
90. And the tree that bears cursor
Selected by MARY a. EARLY.
Dawscnvllle. Va.
Charadc.
My hrst Is In burst but not In purse.
MY second Is In you, but not In pew.
My third Is In sand but not In pan.
My fourth Is In tan also In stand.
My nth Is In here, also In ear.
Ny sixth Is In ran, but not In can.
My seventh Is In burn, but not In churn.
My eighth Is In room. also In broom.
Ny ninth Is In town, but not In sound.
My tenth Is In when. but not In hen.
Ny eleventh Is In noon, also In soon.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

See, the earth Is alban covered,
Trees are clothed In garments white;
|Coasting down the slipp'ry billsdes
Gives the children great delight.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,-I am new member of the
r. d. C. C. wish you would send me q
badge: I would like to join. From
KATHLEEN DAVIS.
900 Paxton Street. Danvle, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

THE wEEk's PRIZE WINNERS.
Miss Rcbeknh 1rby, Vernon Hill, Va.
Miss Mnudc Lombard, No. 512 North
Twcnty-siHth street, city.
Master Charles Baker, Jr., No. SIS
North Fourth street, city.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor.--I would like to become a
member of the T. D. C. Club. I cannot
draw. so I Will send you a little story.
Please send me badge. Your new mem
Ter. LOUIS r. SHAUGHNESSY.
SCI Albemarlo Street, Richmond, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Edltor,-r would like to Join this
T. .. c. Club. Please send me a badge +,
read the T. D. c. C. page every Sunday. T
like 1t very much. Yours sincerely.
PEARLE FARMER.
sos Spring Street, Richmond Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,--r want to Join the r. p
c. Club. want to you to send me badge
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

See the snowbirds lightly hopping
On this counterpane OF white,
while the snow is slowly dropping.
Like the shades OF coming night.
Composed by
JULIAN H. RABER,
Pocahontus, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

WIN. ALEXANDER MEhRus WATT
I live at 2555 w. Grace Street. Richmond
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor.--T would like to become =
nj, mber OF your club. Please send me a
badge. am very much interested in your
work, Your little friend.
ERMA FARMER.
r. F. D. No. L Box 20. Manchester. Va
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor-I am very much interested
In the T. D. C. c. page and would be pleased
to become aemmber. Please send mo
badge Enclosed you VII find a story.
hope it Will be published. Yours.
MARY A wARTMAN.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,--t inclose a drawing. which
would like to see In next Sundays paper.
tot Mid 'ae 90 ana 4 1oo a TO- ny
drawing every Sunday. I hope you Will
send me badge and rules With best
wishes. yours truly.
RANDOLPH .RARKMAN
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Edltor,-I have been reading the
T. D. C, c. every week and have become
very much Interested In 1t. would like
to become a member Please send me u
badge. send you a drawing. which hope
vii. escape the waste basket Your new
member, MARY TRAYLOR. I
Farmville, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

My whole is a person In the funny paper.
n. LEE BROWN.
A Charade.
My first Is In last, also in past.
Ny second Is In tale. but not in vale.
My third Is In calves. also in halves.
My fourth is in haunt. also In daunt.
My NTH Is In like, but not in dyke.
My sixth Is in ten. also In wren.
Ny seventh is In nail. but not in sale.
My eighth Is In salt, also In malt.
Ny ninth Ia In nine. also In pine.
My tenth Is In nip, but not In sip.
My eleventh Is in quake, also In make.
Ny whole is something we all hold dear,
For 1t comes hut once year.
MILDRED N. r. LEWIS.
Cismont, Va,
4 Chnrnde..
My first Is in disaster also IN pastor.
Ny second Is In dart, but not In heart
Ny third is In kick, also In brick.
My fourth Is In crazy. but not In lazy.
My whole Is something,
For which we all speak.
BY MILDRED N. P. LEWIS.
Cismont. Va
ANsWERs.
tn Jumbled Furniture.
Pen. pe'e Ba,s ssafs + c tsais Books tas
. Hu'''' ~ MARY coRB1N sP1cER,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,-1 wish very much to become
member OF your T. D. c. Club. Enclosed
you Will find drawing. which I hope will
nor reach the waste basket. Please send
mo badge. Yours truly.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,-I wish to become :. member
81 the T. d. C. C. ! read 1t every Sunday
Please send me a badge and rules In-i
closed is the story of George Washington,
Yours truly. FRANCES TOMPEINs &
My address is 100 Prince Edward Street
Fredercksbure, Va
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,-I have been reading the
Chlldren's Page for long time, and ike
II very much, so wrote n charade and 1
am going to send II to YOU hone II Will
escape the waste basket. Please send ma q
badge. Your new member,
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Edtor,-f am very much Interested
In the T. D. c. Club. and would like to be-
come member. am a little girl ten years
old. VIII YOU please send me badge?
I will send you a composition on Washing
ton Monument, which will have ready by
Friday. with best wishes for the success
OF the club, remain. your new member,
FRANCES SHEARER
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,--t am interested in the T. n,
e. G. and would like to. become a member
OF It. Please send mo badge and one OF
your copy OF rules. Enclosed you will And
some iumbled boys' names. which hope
VIII not reach the trash basket. Yours
truly, MAGGIE CHAPPELL
No s15 n Graham Street. Richmond, Va
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor.-I Will write. you a letter to
Join your T. D. c. Club. T am sending q
poem called Autumn Leaves" which hops
will miss the waste basket and please send
me- badge Good-by.
RALPH WILLIAMS. 4
l0a S Beech Street CITY -.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Edhor,-r was reading The Times
Dispatch and saw your ad., and I would
Club. I am eight years old. and I would
like to have badge. would like to write
copy OF your rules. Your new member
NELLIE RAINES. =
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16
Puzzle Department

My whole is a person In the funny paper
H. LEE BROWN.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Edltor,--I like to read the T. d. c.
G. page and would like to become a mem-
ber Please send me a badge and rules.
Yours truly. WATKINS HUNT.
South Boston. Va
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor.-r wish TO join the T. D. Z.
c. have read 1t SO much. I wish you
weuld send me a badge / sent a drawing.
which hope Will escape tina waste basket.
Yours truly. ANNE CARY GEDDY.
Toano, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,--lpciosed please md a draw
ms OF 'sam Tub" which I truly hope 10
badge, as i lost my first going to meetins
and could not find 1t. Well must close 4
Hoping to see this in print. with love and
success to tho editor and members, l rs-
mair ever, Your true member.
BLANCHE ANTHONY.
Hanover Courthouse, Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor,--I would like very much to
become member of the r. D. C. Club.
me badge? am eleven years old
Will soon be writing stories for you. hope.
must close. Yours truly, your new MEM
Der CATHERINE DIEHL.
2. Q. Box Sc. Burkeville. Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

- AVIff1N ~. w Wv
South Hill, Virginia.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

LOUISE COUNCIL.
1is e. Marshall Street. Richmond. Va.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Dear Editor.-r will write you a letter to
Join your T. D. C.. Club. l am sending
poem called THE Babbling Brook" which
hope Will miss the waste basket. and please
send me a badge. Good by. Your nav
RUTH HOWELL Is
/, S. Belvidere Street. City
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-16

Blackstone, care Mr., II. i, tones. ones"
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-03
THE C. A. r.. RESOLUTIONS.

The resolutions passed by the c. a.
r. encampment in this city. appeal
Ing TO the general public in favor of
a proper observance OF Memorial day,
cannot but touch a responsive chord
in the hearts OF all good citizens.
day dedicated TO the memory of the
dead is not properly spent in amuse-
ment halls, or In places where sports
and games are the attractions. 1t may
not be n day of mourning, but II should
certainly be made the occasion of
serious contemplation of the cost, In
lives and treasure, of the Union for
which the war was waged; the results
of the sacrifices made, and the mission
in the world OF this country. For
some reason or other, our nation Is in
danger of becoming frivolous. Our
Sundays are turned into days of ainuse
ment, in spite of state laws and city
ordinances. Our great national holt
day has become day of slaughter In
stead OF one OF joyous contemplation
of a nations birth. For the past FIVE
years statisticians have endeavored to
oDttiIi IL SDUleWHHI correct estimate or
the cost Of our Fourth of July cele-
brations. and they claim that from 1903
to 1907, 1,l5S persons were killed and
22520 were injured. Our Thanksgiv-
ing day is mainly an occasion of eat
Ing, drinking, and sports, and other
general holidays are similarly engaged.
contrary to the original Specification OF
each day. 1t Is high time to effect
change In our manner of observing
holidays, They should be observed In
the spirit in which they were instituted
They should be made occasions of in
struction. contemplation. and medita-
ton. The vents they commemorate
should be impressed upon the public,
and especially upon the younger gen.
GRAFTON, not with bombastic oratory
that means nothing. but with a sim
pie recounting of the wonderful story.
In the pulpits and on the stage. for
the edihcation and instruction OF the
people. Especially should Memorial
day be one of serious contemplation
and not given over To frivolity. There
is time for everything. even for
fun and play, but there are occasions
on which they arc entirely out OF place
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-03
ENGLAND AND FRANCE.

Leading newspapers OF London and
Paris are now discussing the desIra-
bility OF a formal alliance between
England and France. It is believed
on both sizes OF the Channel. that the
time for some such political move Is
opportune. The two countries no long
er have conflicting interests IN Asia,
and II Is believed that an alliance
would he guarantee of the pence OF
the world.
This expresses sufficiently the change
OF public opinion in the two countries
But further proof OF this friendlincss
Is found in the fact that the chior
executives OF the two nations are visit
Ing each other like intimate friends
and the people applaud ana give mani
festitations OF JOY. sim more. next July
the three hundredth anniversary Of the
founding OF the city OF Quebec win be
celebrated, and France viii take parS
IN that celebration one feature viii he
the dedication o( the Plains OF Abra-
ham to perpetual memorial of Wolfe
and Montcam, VINO received their
death wounds there, each for his res
pective country The French no long
er think of their defeats aud tragedies
In the New World; the English are
willing to honor French heroes and
pioneers ana recognize the achievements
ana services Of those who formerly
were bitter rivals and enemies.
The friendship between England and
France certainly is one of the encour-
aging signs OF the times, but that n
formal alliance necessarily would
he a guarantee OF the permanent peacr
OF the world, may he doubted, The
alliance between Russia and France
was Ia he such "A guarantee, but that
| proved an Illusion, The natural al
llgnment of the nations of the world
would be safer arrangement 10 secure
permanent peace. A union OF the
Latin nations ought TO be the aim or
those nations. Aud France might take
the initiative. Pan Gernanism, pau
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-03
FROM LITTLE AcoRNs.


A potential American Industry re.
mains unprotected. An article In whose
production we might lead the world Is
being imported In amounts and at a
price which make domestic cornpeti-
ton impracticable- The entire country
as consequence is threatened with
a return to those rude conditions which
prevailed previous to the wholesale at
tack upon our woodlands north, south,
east and west. The state of New York
1t is reported, has just purchased from
Germany, AT prices ranging from rs
cents TO S265 a thousand, nearly / ,000,-
600 Seeding trees for the rcforesting of
its Adirondack reserve Some day these
seedlings will be trees: and the example
OF New York may be contagious. Now
Is the time 10 put up the bars. Afneri-
can trees for our children's children.
or else none at all It Is possible that
some who hear this news may wonder
how II happens that the Germans whose
history Is contemporaneous with the
Christian era, have trees to spare,
while we who began to hew our forests
only within the last 400 years already
cannot. as II would appear. supply even
the home market They may also recall
that Germany supports about 10000 900
souls on a little over POS, 900 square miles
OF land. while the United States spreads
its 90-odd millions over an AREA nearly
20 times as large-a territory whose for
ests at one time We're the wonder OF
the world.
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-03
cAc1I WITHOUT srrNEs.

The success of Mr.. Luther Burbank
Of California In producing varieties OF
ihornless caeti adapted to the climate
and the soil of several different coun-
tries is justly regarded as one OF the
most important discoveries in plant
life.
The cactus is u vegetable curiosity. II
is found only in the deserts OF western
America. II has no leaves, these hav-
Ing been changed into spnes as re-
suit of its struggle to survive on the
desert. The condition was simply this
that leaves transpire more water than
the arid soil is ablo TO supply, and the
problem which the cactus had to solve
was how to conserve the small amount
OF water With which the soil could sup
ply II. This task was accomplished by
getting rid of It's loaVes through chang
ing them into spines, The stems which
somewhat resemble leaves, perform the
functions that leaves perform ia other
Species, but moro slowly. The plant
diminishoH the amount both of it's
breathing processes and of the cyapora-
ton OF watcr from It's leaves ana is
thereby enabled to live on the desert
II is evident that II such plant
can be turned 10 useful purposes the
desert may yet be subdued I'm q fuller
sonsc than has ever happened hiiher-
10, aud teeming population ON places
formerly barren III among tho possible
ties % such discovery.
For fifteen years MI Burbank has
been examining and studying forage
plants tor dry regions, 10 sec what inn
provoment could be made upon them.
lie believed that " the thorns could he
taken from the cactus, II would be one
OF the best, II not the best of an the
plants Tor desert culture lie therefore
gathered cActi OF an hnds-tppsc which
would even grow In Alaska, because he
wanted some of the hardy types. iC
gathered them from the best that HC
could hnd by collectors in South Africa
and Mexico, and from North Africa
where the cactus has been somewhat
cultivated for the use of oamels The
North African is partially thornless
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1908-06-03

variety. There are two or three others.
He found by raising them from seed
that once IN while one would
be found among thousands that had
fewer thorns than even tho parent
Taking that one and raising thousands
and thousands Of seedlings, he has
produced some that are absolutely
thornless,
The idea was to get a cactus that
would produce a great amount of nour-
ishment. and the frst object was to
get a thornless variety. Then camo the
problem OF producing an individual
which would yield great weight of
forage to the acre. That has been
very we'll accomplished by tho rroduc-
ton Of cactus that will yield zoo tons
OF food per acre. Now for bocts, car
rots, turnips and cabbage and for al
most everything cultivated IN the soil,
20 tons is a good crop. yet some Of the
older cacti will produce about 100 tons.
Cactl are less nutritious than beets,
but contain more water. BY analysis
some cucti produce two and flve-tenths
per cont starch, while others produce
five-tenths per cent. The object sought
is to unite in one variety great pro-
duotlveness and high percentage of
nutrition.
Mr. Burbank has taken the wild Colo
RADIO cacti planted them thlckly In
small bed; and allowing them no water
planted -four or five of his improved
cacti In the same bed. The improved
cacu starved the others almost to
death. Under the same treatment
they will grow three or four feet in
height and be In perfect vigor, often
Weighing from two to seven pounds
each, while the Colorado wild cactus,
which one would think is as hardy as
anything possible would be drying up
for want OF moisture.
The ability Of the improved cacti to
root deeper results from their greater
individual growth, and gives them the
opportunity to strike deeper and take the
moisture up, while the common wild
cactus can not reach the water ana
80 II starves to death, while Its Inn
proved, thornless neighbor fourishes.
Mr.. Burbank Is convinced that the
thornless cactus will yet prove to be
the most important plant for the recla-
nation OF the arid region; and the
whole OF the civilized world is looking
on with approval and admiration at the
work OF the naturalist who Is thus turn
ing to account the laws of plant growth