davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Flower Valentines

No one welcomes St. Valentines Day more heartily than the florists unless 1t is the candy dealers. The modern valen- tine is a far cry from the lace paper and cardboard affair Also it costs a lot more than the old fashioned sort The ol6 time valentine was often a serious propostion-so serious that the sender never dreamed of inclosing his card knowing that the recipient would have no trouble at all in guessing where 1t came from. The average young man sent 'one year-that is, if he sent any at all. The modern way is different. Oftener than not the donors card goes along with the valentine, and if leading florist is to be believed one young man will send half a dozen floral valentines.
 This is speaking generally, of course. There are exceptions as, for instance, a young man who the other day placed an order with a florist to be delivered to a certain young woman on St. Valentines morning by o'clock. He was particular about the hour wanting to be first in the field, he said. His valentine was to be of violets made into heart shaped de- sign 10 inches at it's widest part pierced with a slender dagger of solid gold bought at a leading jewellers. This was to be inclosed in pure white satin paper box. tied with four inches wide violet satin ribbon. The girl who didn't like that valentine would be hard to please. the florist admitted even though the donors card did not go along.
 Violets. he said. are a popular valen- tine for the reason that they are a pop ular corsage decoration. They mean faithfulness, and it is easy to form them into a heart shaped bunch In one case. instead of sending the usual long violet pin with the flowers, the florist put in q pin supplied by the customer made of silver. topped with an enameled Cupid.
 "Corsages are in the lead for valen- tines. next come boxes of cut flowers, roses. next fancy pieces com bining flowers and china or silver or gold --the latter. though. usually going to old CT women," said the florist.
 Some young men take, the trouble to find out a girls pet flower and won't take anything else. A 10 Inch across bunch of lilies of the valley Is ordered for one young lady and we have orders for gardenia. camela. and orchid valentines made mp in the corsage size. ..
 Pink carnations are the fayorites of one young woman who will get two dozen of the finest we can send as a val entine. s-
 White, 1iacs are ordered for the val entine of woman who is devoted to this season. I have the privilege of mix ing white and pink lilacs if l can't get really fine white ones"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Lincoln and Dreams

Lincoln, like Napoleon. was great be- liever in dreams, in some ways almost a fatalist. He had many times predicted his own assassination. doing so even on the very day that it occurred. He spoke of this thought to William Crook one of his detailed bodyguard, as he was on his way to make his daily call on Secretary Stanton, saying that he felt an impend- ing melancholy upon this day which, to him. had been one of the happiest days he had lived through in months. The war was ended and he was looking for- ward to returning to his western home and leavin heninG f0feHtr the scenes that had be7r sp panfQl lo him through the cruelty cf war. lt is the belief of many thinslne people that the dastard- ly tragedy committed on the night of April IA. 1885 wiaeh den wed the na- tion of its eal, las neN been or can never be accurately aror ed by man.
 There Rt lu.ny als 7ents if uncertainty surroundin tie es t tine was the sudden da AI41s uf fhe theatre, which caused tht ldeu e safious persons
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
My Valentine

And what shall I send my lady fair On this St. Valentine day; A rose for her hair Or jewel rare, Which shall it be I pray All the wealth of the world Could 1t only be mine would gladly lay At thy" feet. day by day My lady-my Valentine. All the bliss of true love Al. it's rapture divine I would gladly give As long as I live To thee-sweet Valentine. From the deep of my heart I bring "love's wine-' To lift to thy lips Or to pour al thy shrine,
 Loyal and true
 Always to you Am I-"your valentine"
 Ella K. Farley.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11

door fastened by narrow strip of gilt paper slipped into another strip on the other side. In center of door should be an oblong place for name plate.
 The door when opened reveals a valen- tine with a suitable motto. These can be found on postals and pasted to back of card before the rest is put on. If the hostess is clever she can originate her valentine mottos, adapting them to each guest. Another way would be to fill the space with grotesaue figures cut from comic valentines; or. where the guests are all women and intimate, the opening door should reveal a, portrait of the sup posedly> favored swain, with witty coupiet referring to him in the light of a valentine
 For a valentine announcement dinner the hostess might make heart shaped photograph frames from rim of card board. covered with paper roses or paint ed with a border of red roses. Within should be the portraits of the affianced with gilt dart joining them. It will be easy to cut the heads from groups and adapt them to water ycolored bodies, or else just use the heads within neck lace of tiny gilt hearts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
How a Great Musician Gain
 ed Inspiration

Kamenai Ostrow. or Kamenai Island Tn English, lies in the Neva river. near St. Petersburg. Any afternoon in summer fl you walk to the furthest extremity of it's pine treed avenues, you can see Finland in the distance, beyond a strip of sea. silvered under the clear. northern light. The delicate white chalets of the rich Petersburgers are set like pearls amid its greenness. Verdure and silvering lights are so rare in raw, blizzardly Russia that they make of this fitly a poetic spot, and when the chimes of the island bells break melodiously upon your ear you are ready to believe that Already is in Russia and not Greece.
 It was like this when Rubinstein, the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
A Lincoln Story

A young sergeant distinguished himself by his gallantry at Donelson, and was recommended for promotion. He was summoned to apepar before military board at Washington and closely ques- toned by West Point graduates. None of his answers was satisfactory. When the report reached President Lincoln, he fdgeted for a moment, laid the paper on his desk. then, taking one gaunt knee in his hands, said: 'I don't know what to do with this case. Here's a young fellow who knows nothing of the science of losing battles. He doesn't even know the technical name of the fertilization on which he ran up the Stars and Stripes in the face of the enemy" He thought a moment, then indorsed the report. "Glve this man a captains certificate.
 "A LINCOLN
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
HOME FAT REDUCER
Works Rapidly aud Safely-Rcquires No Exercising and Allows You to
 Eat What You Iikc-Cut This Out

For the benefit of those who wish to reduce their flesh quickly and safely. we will give the recipe and directions in full for a simple household remedy that can be obtained at trifling cost from any good drug store: F ounce Marmola. la ounce Fluid Extract Cas- cara Aromatic and 312 ounces Pepper mint Water. All three are cheap and wholesome. but you should take care to get an unbroken package so that you get Marmola and not substitute. When you get home mix the three to- gether by shaking them together in a large bottle and take one teaspoonful after each meal and at bedtime.
 Follow these directions and you will have the best fat reducer that money can buy It will take off the flesh at the rate of at least two pounds week without disarranging the stomach or causing wrinkles. while, best of all. no exercising or dieting is required to help 1t out. You can get results and at the same time take things easy. and eat what you lIke-as much as you like and whenever you like.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Sam Weller's Immortal Val
 entine

.s'Excepts of me. Mary dear. as your valentine. and think over what I've said My dear Mary. I will now conclude' That's, aH,'' said Sam.
 That rayther sudden pull up, ain't 1t. Sammy?' inquired MT. Weller
 Not a bit of it. said Sam; ''she'll wish there wos more, and that's the great art O. letter writin'."
 eWell." said MT. Weller. 9there's some thin in that: and wish your mother-in- law ud only conduct her conwersa ton on the same genteel principle, Amt you a-goin' to sign it?''as
 That's the difficulty" said Sam; 'I don't skhow what to sign It."
 Sign it Weller" said the oldest suryjy- ing proprietor of that name
 Wont do,s said Sam. Never sign a valentine with your own name"
 sign it 'Pickvick.' them" said MT. Weller; tits wery good name and a easy one to spel.'' .s-
 'The very thing" said Sam 'T could end with verse. What do you think ?,'
 T don't like it. Sam." rejoined MT. Vel Ter. T never know'd a respectable coach man as wrote poetry. 'cept one, as made an effectin' copy O verses the night
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Lincoln's Learning

Thomas Lincoln. Abraham Lincolns father. had little use for book learning" and did not countenance reading in his son. When he began to show that in suitable desire for knowledge which char acterzed him throughout life his father complained that he was wasting time" meaning that he should employ the time occupied in study to various duties about the farm. It is certain that Abraham Lincoln could not write-and possibly could not read-when his stepmother came to take charge of the Lincoln home. She 1t was who fostered the boys desire to learn. and she managed to have him and his sister attend school, such as it was. But it is asserted on good authority that all Abraham Lincoln's school days added together. would not make year In the aggregate. But his reading consisted of everything in print that he, could lay hands on and in this way picked up fair education.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
The Latest Shop Talk

Valentine aprons of dainty null, cut in heart shape.
 A gold ribbon headdress, finished with a pink ribbon rose at the side.
 Net fichus with side pleated ruffles.
 Tooth brush holders in nickel for screw ing over the bathroom wash stand sell at 25 cents.
 Wooden egg holders to hold, six eggs on the kitchen table at baking time cost 25 cents.
 Imported beveed plate glass fire screens. painted with sprays of flowers.
 The new ever clean hat brushes in cir cular form, with long handle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Saint Valentines Aid

Those delivers after facts to whom TO- nance is anathema. have proven or are trying to prove that good Bishop Valen- tine had nothing whatever to do with St. Valentines Day, says Barbara Boyd But one would rather side with gentle Charles Lamb than with these dusty delv- CTS among old archives and say with him: Like unto thee. assuredly, there is no other mitered father in the calen- dar; not Jerome or Ambrose, nor Cyril: nor Bishop Bull. nor Archbishop Parker, nor Whitgift Thou copest attended with thousands and ten thousands of nt- tie Lovers, and the air is
 Brush'd with the hiss of rustling wings.
 Singing Cupids are thy choristers and thy precentors. and instead of the cro- ser, the mystical arrow is borne before thee.'
 II rather pleases ones fancy to connect the quaint custom with genial father of the church. It seems to give a proper
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11

doubtless because he begins to feel that the days of his kind are numbered.
 A second valentine is in recognition of ward organization. It reads as follows
 For My Sweet Valentine" Cupid has no idea
 How much I am oppressed, For. being a ward leader,
 I'm compelled to be we'll dressed.s
 Here girl Cupid in yellow. orange and brown picture hat yellow sash and long gloves steps daintily along to the delight of two boy Cupids. The young are bound to be progressive. and the Valentines Day manufacturer has his finger on the pulse of the nation when he makes his latest Valentine girl suffragist
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Valentines and Votes

The latest evidence of the growing pop ularity of votes for women comes in the valentine. The fact that the commercial world begins to realize the value of Cupid. St. Valentine and the suffragist in combination points 10 popular accept ance of the inevitableness of equal suf- frage,
 One of these dainty valentines comes from Brookline, Mass. It shows bright eyed and smiling young suffragist stand ing on typical soap box with large "Votes for Women poster in hand. She Is evidently ready to address an open air meeting. The other figure in the pie ture is a small, incompetent looking po- liceman. He is shuffling away in disgust,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11

dreamy eyed, wandered here happy and enchanted with the bells. Their music so haunted his ears that on his return to the chalet of the Grand Duchess Hel- one, whose honored guest he was, ne wrote his famous sonata of "Kamenai Os- trow.' in which the soft chimes of the bells ring as sweetly as they do still on the island
 The sympathy of his remarkable hostess who divined the bud of genius in him long before it lowered, and the appreciation of the cultivated circle surrounding her helped him to that confidence necessary for his first authoritative work No won der that he was so happy here that his happiness sung itself out of him. For who was he to be on an equality with the autocratic aristocracy of Russia? A Jew, against whose family the Emperor's edict forbdding them even to dwell in any one place had worked such hardship that tho elder Rubinsten cannily turned Christian.
 Wonder eyed, he used to watch his mother. cultivated German, when she was at the piano. At he had constructed for himself a violin out of some old pieces of wood and discarded elastic Soon he became boy prodigy. one of the few in- stances where youthful precocity has made good in maturity. When he was only 10 years old, in 1889, he enthralled his llfSl COuCtIt dudlenCt, dllu all iiiIouSn the cholera plaques of 1S4S, 1S49 and 1S50 all Russia, with its "eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die'' recl<lessness, rushed to hear the musician.
 From pianist he leaped upward to opera composer. It was the first night of his first opera in St. Petersburg that the Grand Duchess Helene met him and told him The would come to something yet" Their friendship grew until she made him . l,o, ,t, f,,L Lyoy noi nafr and from that friendship of a great lady for an outcast and wanderer and it's idyllic surroundings flowed the work of Rubinsteins that his lovers love the hest,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Valentine Place Cards

From valentines cut the quaintest ig- ures to be found. Mount two Of these man,and maid-on a pasteboard foot rest, three inches long by two high. Round the top of this rest, tint it in water color for a base, and on it letter some suitable motto Another piece of card is pasted to back of base for a standard.
 For another card cut large red heart from stiff paper. and provide 1t with a strip of pasteboard at back to make II stand. In the center of card should De
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11

who appeared upon the scene to be ob- soured. The personal jealousy of those who were participants in the gruesorne background, must also be taken into &C., count. After the tragedy it was said that none of the actors from the stage came to the aid of the Presidents wife; again It is stated that the beautiful Laura keene came and begged to hold This dear ly loved head,' and was deterred only by the blood that stained her stage gown scarlet and nearly caused her to faint away.
 So coming generations will continue to read of this remarkable event, each be- lieving his favorite historian the truest accountant of its awful details. In reali- ty it is like the famous Brady death bed picture, for which each person came and sat for his photograph at the studio. and ther was put into a composite group, &C., cording to the fancy of the artist, and sold to the unsuspecting public as the authentic truth of the actual event. The scene of the assassination resembles this fake in that no two viewed the scene at the same time, and no two tell the sanfe story of it's details.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
For Lincoln's Birthday

The steadfast soul; the calm, clear brain that planned His country's weal the gentle. rugged hand That freed three million slaves by stroke of pen; The great. strong heart that held but love for men: A memory more sweet, more bright than Fame All these we pledge in pledging Lincoln's name.
 -Arth1ir Guiterman
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
A Pretty Valentine Pastel. What
 ''The Lady Next Door" Said

CT and his wife as to providing for the future, she was the happiest of the hap piest, with Jimmy" as the leading char acter in q little heart drama that. made her forget everything else in the world.
 Presently Jimmy" had the Mumps.
 Days and days of Illness and conval- essence passed slowly and finally "The Lady Next Door" had to take him to the seashore, the doctor being positive in his orders, and so Anita was left alone and most unhappy
 At last her brother and his wife sug- gested a Debut Party as the only prop CT method of presenting her to society," society meaning something vague and in- tangible and hateful to poor little Anita.
 But she had to submit and according ly she was presented formally to the friends of Mir and Mrs. John Arlington Vivanti, and of all creatures she was the most miserable.
 Her family told her she'd soon get used to society" but that frightened her still more, for she hated it and didn't know what to say to people and didn't want to be "in it'' anyway
 Things went miserably for poor little Anita and finally in desperation she went back to old MT. Feeber.
 At least she knew him. and she could carry on conversation with him. which was more than she could do with the others.
 Her sister-in-law never missed an op- portunity to tell her how well she'd do to marry him; what a fine home shed have; what lovely automobiles and grand jewels and fine clothes. but Anita showed little enthusiasm on the subject.
 One fine day it all came to a head.
 Old Mr. Feeber asked her to marry him right away; he'd wait no longer; 1t was NOW or NEVER.
 If she could only marry Mir Feeber without him ever coming near her, or kissing her, or holding her handl
 Her sister-in-law talked so dreadfully to her, that she even tried to persuade herself that she liked him, and when she let him put the great, gorgeous Soli- taire on her finger, she nearly collapsed and wasn't happy until she went up to her room and took 1t off, and soaking her hands in soap and water and cried and cried, until her heart was nearly broken.
 II xuoc Ct VaIentine's Dav
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Metamorphosis of Love

are speech so asinine 4et me be your valentine?" sees this very silly phrase ar in these enlighteped days.
 I'd rather be a .cockatoo,
 A rat. a COW, ..A kangaroo.
 A bird, a COW. a porcupine, 7n be a maiden'b valentine! snu for just a moment think sing, say, a Cupid pink aw of ribbon, filmy lace. ch, as a. rule. these fancies grace, 7a. worst of all, to be that crime, t of maudlin loving rhymel W where in goodness names tho bliss such metamorphoss?
 La Touche Hancock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11

sanction to this sending anonymously or one's expressions of regard.
 That Valentines do play part Tn loNe programme, there is no gainsaying. Ihe missive that comes breathing mysteri- ouslv someone's devotion sets a girls heart to fluttering and her imagination 10 working, She wonders if 1t Is John s, ana immediately her heart grows tenderer toward John. The Unconscious John' who is entirely too practical to send Valentine wonders what has come over her. but nevertheless rejoices that she IS so kindly disposed toward him. Ana the love affair prospers.
 Girlhood Is romantic and anything that feeds this love of romance is welcome And where is the girl who doesn't love mystery. who doesn't thoroughly delight in believing some one admires her in se- cret but does not dare openly 10 declare his attachment?
 The modern maid is practical as well as romantic and she is apt to prefer heart shaped boxes of bonbons or the Valentine of beautiful flowers to the lace rarer missive scattered so recklessly with hearts and darts and poetry to match. But she would rather have the latter than none at all, for it carries it's message or mystery and elusive romance just the same. She can wonder who sent 1t. she can lay her innocent little traps to find ont. and it is all a pleasant game ana mart of Cupid's paraphernalia.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Eve Up to Date

The waist line is only slightly short ened. instead of really high. It is gen. erally finished off by a piping of some material other than the dress.
 This season no formal costume is made of one material. Satin and moire togeth- CT, or either of these materials with vel vet, are happy combinations.
 Fur coats have now rival in the smart coats of heavy plush These new coats are usually trimmed with fur of a brownish tone. and are very elegant
 
 Jewels, embroidery, rich brocade, lace. and fur all are used as magnificent trim mings on the new gowns
 Some pretty scarfs are new ones which are shaded from a deep tone to the palest tint of the same color.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
Pas $ Good Thing Along

Some doctors could not cure rsla.- Milwaekee Wisconsin.
 And s5as iaHvefs couldn't fy case of lard Serant-a i
 And gone ianls.s couldn't play line of hose.-Mobile Register.
 And some hunters couldn't shoot the chutes.-Detroit Free Press
 And some shoe clerks couldn't shoo . chicken.-Houston Post.
 And some bricklayers couldn't lay an egg.-Y onkers Statesman.
 And some paragraphers couldn't write a wrong
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11

came down that morning were two Val entines-one was a square white box that filled up the whole side of the table It was filled with orchids and Lilies of the Valley, and inside of the big box was a small one. which held an old fashioned sentimental Valentine in gold and blue forget-me-nots and a chariot drawn by wonderful horses and Cupid sitting se- renely inside.' In this box was still an- other smaller box, containing a Diamond and Ruby crescent and the whole bore a card with the name of MT. Henry Sim mington Feeber on it.
 Under the great box was another Val entine.
 It was in a little dirty smudged up envelope, and directed in a childish hand writing that started at one side and ran way down into the corner of the other. Anita suddenly announced that she must go up stairs-she had forgotten something.
 When she got to her room she threw the big box on the bed and hastily tore open the dirty little envelope, for she had already recognized the handwriting. Inside was homemade Valentine, all sticky and dirty and messy On cheap piece of paper was glued an advertising Autograph. showing a man in jaunty cap and sweater, showing a horse. under which was printed:
 'I Use Magic Arnica."
 Underneath this was written:
 "I love you. Won't you be my Valen- tine?
 "Your Sweet Boy,
 "Jimmvv
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
The Age-Herald's Cuisine
EGYPTIAN SALAD.

EGYPTIAN SALAD.
 Gut the top off six tomatoes, scoop out the centers and put into a bowl, throw ing away as many seeds as possible. Cut in fine pieces four or five stalks of ten- der celery and add to tomatoes; also add one bunch of watercress, two tablespoon fuls India relish and mix all with French salad dressing. Put all back in tomato cups and serve.
 The French dressing is made as fol- lows: One tablespoonful vinegar, three of olive oil, one tablespoonful salt. one of pepper and little scraped onion if de- sired. .,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11

afore he wos hung for highway rob- bery, and he was a Cambervell man, so even that's no rule.' But Sam was not to be dissuaded from the poetical idea that had occurred to him, so he signed the letter
 Your love sick
 PickWick