davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

tines in America and indeed the most notable private
or public collection the kind in the world is the
erv of Mr. Frank Baer, wellknown resident or
the state of Ohio prominent railroad official Mr.
Baer who has had the to indulge his unique fad
inaueuraed his hunt for valentines and
has covered quarters of the globe in his search This
premer valentine collector has than 1000
specmens in his old art gallery and Of his prizes
have cost him pretty penny.
Antedatng all forms of manufactured valentines were
the valentine writers"-books of specially prepared
verses and sentiments designed for the of SWANS
and maidens of century and a half ago. who must
moods nrepare their own valentines These first aids to
the sentimenally that have been preserved in
the Raer collection such suggestive titles as: The
power of Cupid" "The School of Love-" "The Ladies
Polite Valentine Writer" "The Satrica Valentine Writ
ar and "Rhapsodies for Gentlemen Who Wish to Ad-
dress Ladies in Sonnets
The Oldest and most valuable valentines In existence
those in the Baer collection are believed TO De the
nl onas of the kind extant-are the cut valen-
4nos These are carefully folded and delcaey cut with
eawtooh edges the average love token of this kind
bono en- arranged that its unfolding discoses con-
tnuoue succession of penned sentiments. One of these
n+ Manor valentines bearing the date 1870, Is formed
iron, sheet of paper about the size of adys hand
archief folded into squares of about four inches IL
os originally sealed with the representation of heart
Particularly quaint conceits in the line OF old-tme
valentines found in this collection are those which rep
ocont IN each instance either single flower or Gus
r f CAV poses fashioned from tissue paper somewhat
on tbe order of modern artificial flowers however
So oncent counterfeit blooms slit into lattice
like meshes that pulling of an attached thread VIII
asa Zach flower to unfold disclosing sentimental mes
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

sages hidden in its depths.
Transformation pictures consisting OF crude draw
ngs in ink or at best more or less artistic render
ing in water color preceded by years the trans
formation valentines that introduced by the
Germans the manufactured valentine became an
established institution. In these old valentines of the
before and after" order favorite subject was that
of a bachelor sitting disconsoate and alone in his
cherries home Upon lifting a flap of cardboard
there disclosed by of contrast the happiness
and contentment that might be his in home pre-
sided by devoted wife
One of the valentines of this class in the Baer
collection at first glance nothing than
commonplace representation of the exterior of a
church. but shifting of the displays the nte
rior of the church with the bride and groom best
maid of and other attendants The best part OF
the scheme is that the young ady-her Flora
who sent this keepsake century ago went to the
trouble to duly label each person represented in the
enhancing scene that the recipient presumably had
advance information all the details of his
ding.
Some idea of the extent to which the custom of ex-
changing valentines carried is indicated by the
great number of different designs shown in the Baer col
lection mentioned After about 1880 the practice
preparing valentines at first hand have gone
rapidly into decay and the last of the valentine writer's
bears date of the year mentioned Following this the
valentines increased rapidly in cost and
pretensions From the lace paper CONNECTIONS, which
were gradual evoution-and which, by the way have
remained perennialy popular until the present time
the development turned to the production of silk and
satin valentines beautifully ornamented in water Color
A glance through the art gallery of old valentines
gives clear and accurate idea of the various changes
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

reach the proper destination, but mp.
parently the senders Of valentines
either do not know that their tokens
have failed to fulfill their mission or
else accept the loss philosophically.
For the imaginative person there Ia
opportunity for speculation as to how
many romances have been nippeG in
the early stages because of the va1en-
tines that never came. Finally, one
more cause Of the straying Of valen-
tines In the mail is found in the nu-
merous attempts to send such souve
Mrs through the mails with INSULT
cient postage. Many little folks, for
instance, seem to be under the i'm
preston that a valentine in a sealed
envelope will be carried for one cent
instead of two cents. If the envelope
bears the address of the sender 1t can
be returned for more postage, but, as
above explained, such clew is seldom
given in the case of valentines and
when the valentine is forwarded to
it's destination postage due" the FER
son to whom it is ddressed-perhaps
6uOlJSCIluS I'D COIlICuJ0 ICluoCO
to receive it and then, of necessity, 1t
is turned over to the dead letter office.
The dead letter office, the final rest
ing place of the unidentified valen-
tines, is very busy institution. Some
thing like seven million pieces of lost
mail are every year sent to this insti-
tuition to be examined and its experts
or blind readers" are wonderfully
skillful in deciphering the true mean.
ing of incorrect and misspelled in'
scriptions that would prove absolutely
battling to any ordinary individual. At
the dead letter office Uncle Sam main.
tains perhaps the oldest museum in
the world-a collection of the queer
things that have been found in the
mails. Much money is found in the
letters that go astray. 1t totals as
much as $4,000 year in coin and
currency, to say nothing of an aggre
gate of about million dollars year
in checks, drafts and currency.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

that accumulate in all Of our post
offices at the valentine festival In
innumerable instances youngsters
send valentines-particularly the COM
ic variety-to persons whose initials
they do not know and regarding even
the spelling of whose names they are
in ignorance. Similarly there is often
woeful lack of detail in the adj
dresses embodied in these hazy in
scriptions. All these Irregularities
make for difficulty in delivering the
mail on St. Valentines day. Some of
the battling products of the instinct of
mischief the letter carriers or local
postoffice officials are able to decipher
and deliver to their proper destina-
tons, but many of these mysterious
souvenirs must needs be sent to the
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

ed, however, in the Valentine day mall
Either the identity of the sender Is
kept a profound secret or is indicated
only by tiny initials, which are OF no
possible benefit in tracing the origin
of the missive Consequently there is
nothing for the dead letter officials to
do but to either destroy these dere-
licts of the Valentine day mails, or,
if they be deemed Of sufficient value,
to set them aside to be disposed of at
the annual auction sale at which
Uncle Sam sells 10 the highest bid
ders all the unclaimed articles found
in the mails.
Incidentally it may be noted that 1t
is very seldom that any person ever
writes to the postofice department to
inquire regarding valentines that have
gone astray. Mary people make IN
quiries from time to time with refer
ence to packages which have failed to
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
Deafness Cannot Be Cured

by local applications they cannot reach the dis
eased portion OF the There is only one way 20
cure Deafness and that is by constitutional remedies
Deafness is caused by an infamed condition OF the
mucous lining of the Eustachian Tube. When this
tube is infamed you have rumbling sound inn
perfect hearing. and when it is entirely closed, Deaf
hess is the result, and unless the Inflammation can be
taken out and this tube restored its normal condi-
ton, hearing will be destroyed forever nine cases
out of ten caused by Catarrh, which is nothing
but an infamed condition of the mucous surfaces.
We will give One Hundred Dollars for any case of
Deafness Caused by catarrh) that cannot be cured
by Halls Catarrh Cure. Send for circulars, free.
+. j. CHENEY 81 CO.. Toledo. o.
Sold by Druggists, 75c
Take Halls Family Pills for constipation.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
This Contractor got results.
He knew how to feed his man.

He knew now TO feed MS ms1.
Some years aAo a contractor build.
ing railroad in a warm climate was
troubled a great deal by sickness
among the laborers.
He turned his attention at once to
their food and found that they were
getting full rations of meat and were
drinking water from a stream near by.
He issued orders to cut down the
amount of meat and to increase greatly
the quantity of Quaker Oats fed to
the men.
He also boiled Quaker Oats and
mixed the thin oatmeal water with
their drinking water
Almost instantly all signs of stomach
disorders passed and his men showed
a decided improvement in strength
and spirits.
This contractor had experience that
taught him the great value of good
oatmeal. 5S
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
What the Doctor Did.

Gustave Ullyatt has a little daugh-
ter who hasn't been we'll recently The
other day a physician was called to
she Ullyatt home to see her. He ex-
amined the child with the aid of a
stethoscope. When her father came
home that evening he asked what the
doctor had said.
"Nothin'," replied the little girl.
What did he do?" asked Mr.. Ull-
yatt.
He just telephoned me all over"
was the child's reply.-Denver Post.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

Muscat is famed as the hotbed or
smugglers in the Persian gulf, the
nearby desert tribes being regularly
supplied with arms despite'the efforts
of the British patrol. But to the
writer, reared on a Missouri farm, the
odd antics of the cows of Muscat
seemed nothing short OF freakish.
They actually eat fish. No grass
grows, so the willy Arab teaches his
family cow to subsist on dates and
dried fish. The milk tastes queer to
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
The ColUs of Muscat

"a foreigner, which is probably why
the Arab likes it. He also claims 1t
is richer and makes more butter, but
most ridiculous of all is the deception
practiced on cows when the calves
are "weaned." A calfskin, or some.
times a goatskin, is stuffed with rags
and tied not far from where the moth
er cow is anchored. This effigy of her
late amented offspring soothes her
nerves and keeps her from going
dry" according to Arabic tradition.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

class and Meredith did not like the
accommodation.
why don't you go first. sir, and let
me go third?" the servant asked.
NO." said Meredith, I'D rather
have your company than travel first
class alone"
Sometimes" Mr.. Cole said, when
I worked for him first, he would write
all or nothing. He never seemed to
care about his own comfort. He used
to sleep at first all the year round in
the little chalet near his house, and
he would get out of bed every morn
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
. y -

sender If such Information has not
been given on the outside wrapper.
Thus when the wandering parcel final
ly reaches the dead letter Office and is
opened there, there is every chance
if its proper destination cannot be de-
termined, at least the identity of the
sender can be learned and the postal
orphan sent back for better address
ing. No such clews are to be expect
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

We read lot of vigorous censure Of comic" vaen
tines. But why, in the of pigment, doesn't some
arise in meeting and tell which is the comic" kind!
1t is generally understood that the hideous distortions
of form and feature, accompanied by insulting and semi
obscene doggerel are called comic. But that sort OF
thing isn't comic ALL Those the saddest creations
possble-ranky and fagrantly and Intentionally dis
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
BOTH FRIEND AND SERVANT

his placid beautiful life. Frank Cole
was much more than Meredith's gar
dener; he was his body servant and
general handy man, and in the poets
later years took him for his daily air
ings. First Mr.. Cole supported his
master with his arm, then came a
bathchair period and finally donkey
chaise. He also accompanied the
master" on the latter's infrequent
journeys. They always travelled third
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
Free to Our Readers.

Write Murine Eye Remedy Co., Chica-
go, for 4S-page illustrated Eye Book Free.
Write all about Your Eye Trouble and
they will advise as to the Proper Appli-
cation of the Murine Eye Remedies in
Your Special Case. Your Druggist will
tell you that Murine Relieves Sore Eyes.
Strengthens Weak Eyes, Doesn't Smart,
Soothes Eye Pain, and sells for soc. Try
1t in Your Eyes and in Baby's Eyes for
Scaly Eyelids and Granulation.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

ing to let me in until l suggested that
he would save himself from catching
cold, if he gave me a key. His only
luxuries were good wine and good CT
CARS, and he was a splendid judge of
both Every now and then he would
have a bit of luck and get hold OF
some extra precious wine, and this al
ways delighted him. London Core
spondence of Denver Republican.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

,,, h,uo rose with pink leaves-isn't it artistic?
sAS 80 o,,vo ceen those that just of pen
d+ al, busilv pending from twisted and tasseed
i1l cord haven't you? Great! On the top card which
is shaped like scalloped pancake, IS painted oeau
for her ps striking her the end of the nose or on
the chin and with golden hair that has blue high lights
On the next pendant (Which is square and hangs
about two inches below the other) is picture of
Oklahoma landscape with the pyramids of Egypt and
Dutch windmill in the distance.
The just below is cutout figure Of Queen Maria
Teresa or the Venus de Medic Katherine de Milo
Mrs. Maybrick early Christian martyr.
Still below hangs twonch heart of red, with cupids
on it. below that continues string of lesser
So when it gets right down to cases. and to the kind
of evidence that would be accepted in competent
court of law where nobody was corrupted which
the comic valentines?
Don't all speak at once.-Strckand w. Gillian
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

dead letter Office at Washington-the
ultimate destination of all the waits
of the mails.
Even in this final clearing house for
lost letters, the unique characteristics
Of the Valentine day mail prove a
handicap in its disposition. Articles
sent through the mail at other sea-
sons of the year usually contain some
indication as to the identity of the
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
In Bad Shane.

The Missus-Jim, you've been drink.
ing again.
The Mister-Mabel, M dear, can
not tell a lie-I-
The Missus-Goodness Then you
must be worse than l thought. Go to
bed in the other room.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
faithful Companion of Meredith,
Great English Author, In a
Reminiscent Mood.

nj a f1ower-decked cottage In the
village of West Humble lives the man
who for 80 years was the faithful
servant and devoted friend of Mere
dith. A mile away at the foot Of Box
Hill is the house in which the poet
ind novelist lived for a large part of
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

the senders rather than to any 1netf1-
cheney on the part of the postal au-
thorities. Nevertheless, when one
pauses to consider the characteristics
of the extra mail that floods the postal
routes in mid-February it does not
seem so strange that larger share
of it misses its destination than would
be the case with an equal volume OF
holiday mail at other seasons of the
year
The most common cause of failure
on the part of the postof1ice officials
to deliver mail is found in the pres
ence on the puzzling pieces of mail
matter of illegible, incorrect or INSULT
cient addresses. Such faulty mail
matter is numerous enough at all
seasons of the year and it is easy to
understand that it reaches flood tide
along about Valentine day. In the
first place many of the persons who
send valentines wish to use every pre-
caution to conceal from the recipient
the origin of the remembrance. To
that end they attempt to disguise
their handwriting and resort to other
expedients, all of which make for
illegible addresses. At valentine time,
too, many little folks patronize the
mails on their own initiative and
some of these youngsters are far from
skilled in penmanship.
To this same influence-the contri-
buttons of the Juvenile portion of the
community-is to be attributed the un-
usual proportion of incorrectly and
inadequately addressed pieces of mail
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
So Touchinn.

Anxious Suitor-But, sir, l thrill at
your daughters slightest touch.
Practical Father-YOung man, find
her slightest touch is usually for
hundred dollars.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

which have taken place in fashions during the past
fury and half pertaining the costumes of both
men and women. The distinctive styles of the periods
of 1880 and the civil shown, well the
lier epochs. Especially significant in this regard is
old valentine bearing date of 1906 in which sailor lad
is shown bidding sad farewell to his sweetheart The
costume of the tar is interesting as exemplifyng
togs by naval early in the history of the
republic.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

F ALL the different and
distinct classes of mall
that pass through Uncle
Sans postal channels in
the course of the year, 1t
is probable that none
show so large a proper
ton of loss en- route as do
the valentines. That so
many valentines go astray
is, however, due almost en-
tirely to the negligence of
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

Nothing endures but the eternal
commonplace; and if one departs from
that it is to run the most perilous
risks.-Charles Wagner.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

PILES CURED IN @ TO ii DAYS.
PAZO OINTMENT / S guaranteed to cnre any case
of Itching, Blind, Bleeding or Protruding Piles In
6to IA day or money refunded. 800.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

First American Paper Money.
The first American paper money
was made in 1740.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

Many a girl never suspects a young
mans intentions until he asks her If
she can cook
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

DR.. Pierce's Pellets, smal1, sugar-coated easy to
take candy, regulate and inyigorate stomach,
liver and bowels. DO not grippe.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

WHEN YOU'RE AS HOARSE as n crow When
YOU'RE coughing and gasping When you've old
fashioned deep-seated cold, take Aliens lang Bal
sam Sold by all druggists 25c SOC and 81 90 bottles.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

gusting. Surely the truly comic val
entine Is the kind which exhibits
lot of absolutely meaningless combi-
nations of color and shape and til1'
gree and gingerbread and which car
ries it all off with a conscious air of
being just too beautiful fC1 anything.
Who except maker of calentines
for the trade ever sat down and mag
fined a four-arched heart with silk s%ad
celluloid blisters Oh it, arranged
tasrefully about a figleatless card
board Cupid sitting on the back of an
accordion plated tissue-paper swan,
which he was guiding across a tinsel
desert by means of ribbon snaffle
bit? Eth? l wonder what they irri-
gate their designers with before they
hand 'em the scissors and paint pot
and glue bottle and turn EN- loose
for that sort of thing?
Then these blood-red pansico a foot
across. with more celluloid r@rers on
'em. turned back from nice empty
spot over which Is pasted, with
hinge. a lot of paper insertion of the
kind they have in the edges of cigar
boxes! And when you lift up the
cigar-box paper (cut IN designs like
those mother used to ev& ia the shelf
paper) you read underneath. in old
English type:
think it would be mighty fine
If you would be my valentine.
Isn't that deep and original and
thrilling?
The the lapels of celluloid-what
would the valentine perpetrators do
without celluloid?-are fastened back
at the points, each with little string
of tinsel arranged in a loop, while on
+he bend Of the lapel is painted
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10
01z Qr Zz< z7aekX EzN6AvzNxJ

D CLASS of antiques is OF
greater rarity to-day than the
valentines of We olden time.
Nor is this strange, for tilmy
creations of lace paper and
scrap pictures could scarcely
be expected to stand the wear
and tear of a century or more
and survive, as does old fur
niture or pewter or brass.
Possibly because old valentines
are so comparatively few in
number and so hard to find,
only very limited number of
persons have ever attempted
to gather collections of an
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup.
For children teething, sofens the gums reduces I'M
dammation aays pain, cures wind collie. 25c bottle
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

Few men put off until tomorrow
the meanness they can do to-day.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

Pompadours are responsible for
many high-brow.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

Some local celebrities are famous
and some are notorious.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-02-10

cient valentines as a fad or pastime. A
recent canvass of the leading museums and
libraries in the United States disclosed the
fact that none of them possess so much as
single specimen Of the valentine of our
Observation-Disclosures period although the
British museum in London boasts the own
ership of a number of early valentines.