Cresco plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1913-1945, 1917-02-02
My First
Valentine
Having Treasured II, | Came
Upon It In Middle Life.
By WILLARD BRAKEMAN

member it, for it marked an impor-
tant feature in my life. But this is
not the reason for my remembering it.
The true cause was the impression
made upon me at the time, and that
impression has remained with me and
will remain with me so long as live.
In childhood one feels keenly little
things that would be Of trtfing impor-
lance in maturity. Child loves are
evanescent, but while they last they
Are Of paramount importance. And
disappointments! I can remember one
day when l was boy that was to
have been taken to a show. was
away from home at the time and de-
layed going back till it was too late.
l locked myself III my room and bawl-
ed so loud that l could be heard all
over the house.
But as to my valentine. | was past
the age when children are interested
in getting a great number Of these
missives, but not old enough to dis
card them. At any rate, l received a
valentine and was very much affected
by it. The filigree work. the bleeding
hearts, the attachment, within which
was beautiful Cupid with bow and
q CULVER full Of arrows, all conspired
to thrill me with delight that l had
never felt before. And took 1t for q
certainty that the little girl who sent
it to me loved me as she said she did
in the printed verses it contained.
And how my imagination pictured
her in the flesh! She had mild blue
eyes and golden hair that hung In
shining wavelets down her back. l
likened her to fairies l had seen in
picture books dressed in spangles and
holding a rod with a star on one end.
There was nothing beautiful that |
did not liken her to. And to think
that this fair being loved me-not only
loved me, but had sent this dainty mis-
sive to tell me so!
There was nothing in the valentine
to indicate who sent it. Indeed,
think if l had known from whom 1t
came it would have destroyed this VI
sion of loneliness I created. Perhaps
l was q boy Of more than ordinary
ideality. needed a subject for my
dreams. Whether it occurred to me
to endeavor to discover my valentine
don't now remember. What 1 do
remember is dwelling upon her as an
imaginary creature.
Time did not cure me of my love.
grew to manhood, but l treasured my
image, though it gradually faded Into
q fainter form, the whole leaving a
delightful memory.
When l became man l met girl
to whom l was drawn, not only on
account Of her physical attractions.
but because she was one of those wonl-
en- possessing that which we call char
acter. There is no other word that
expresses what mean, but what 1t
stands for is great deal.
Margaret Stanford and became fast
friends. neutrality-suspicious. friend
ships what l felt for her. There
was another girl Of my acquaintance
who affected me very differently. In.
deed, she was a very different girl.
She was piquant, being also bit of
flirt, and had brought her destinations
to bear upon me. l do not mean that
she was to be blamed for that. It Is
q woman's province to f1atter men.
and there are times with every man.
no matter how strong. when he needs
to be f1attered.
Lucy Tisdale's methods were very
innocent. She was lovable, not only
from q certain native feminine dell
cacy there was about her, but she had
In her q certain romance. She loved
poetry and pictures. The voice In q
woman is an important factor, and
Lucy Tisdale had a very feminine
voice. My friend Margaret's voice
was rich; Lucy's was like child's
difference between the two
girls was that when Margaret was dis
pleased she showed her displeasure
with a quiet dignity. Lucy, on the
contrary. would cast down her eyes
md seem rather hurt than offended.
Why l know not, but l sometimes
associated Lucy with my imaginary
valentine. suppose 1t was that she
vas childlike. My valentine, being a
,reature of the Imagination and per-
'ect. had a great advantage over Lucy.
Who was real being In the flesh.
But, being now a man, a great deal Of
he reverence for the opposite sex that
had when boy had dwindled. Alas. |
low that l am an old man, though 1t |
las not died out, 1t has greatly chang
d. A woman is not a creature to be |
placed under glass and worshiped.
She Is to be valued In proportion as |
he fills the position In which Provi- |
lence has placed her.
Margaret and Lucy did not belong |
o the same social set and did not |
now each other. This enabled me to |
,eep them apart and enjoy the CON-
'anionship of each as l wanted it.
onfess that | wanted Lucy's more
han Margaret's. After a hard days
york l usually sought Lucy in the