Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 February 1906 — ST. VALENTINE’S MORNING. [ARTICLE]

ST. VALENTINE’S MORNING.

Rellfflonaly It la a Festival Rather of Sorrow than of Joy, What older person, turning over keepsakes of childhood and coming upon a faded valentine, EaS failed to feel a throb of the heart at tW delights of youth departed? For thebe is nothing kept as a custom through the centuries that has in it more of the feeling of life’s April and May than this ancient February festival. It is a pretty fashion, indeed, and one worth keeping up for countless centuries more. It is for children, of course, and for those children of a larger growth whom all the world loves as lovers. They send to one another some little token, a 'scrap' of prettily decorated paper with a verse declaring undying affection. And the years roll by until more than once the very name of one’s long ago sweetheart is -gone from mind, but the paper reinains, and holds the. memory of something sweet and precious and gohe forever, just as perfume clings about a faded rose. St. Valentine, as a matter of fact, ha» nothing whatever to do with the custom, lie, poor man, had his bead cut off by the second Claudius on the Flaminian Way in ancient Rome on Feb. 14, <269, hie, crime consisting solely in having helped other poor Christians whom the bloody emperor was persecuting for the faith that was in them. He never sent love letters to anybody so far as the records show. In the mildef lind Inofe equable clime the day set aside for rejoicing was really a celebration of the first coming of spring. Celebrations like this, founded upon a universal interest in the annual movements of the seasons and grounded even more deeply in the human affections, are little likely to pass away, but'if anything could make them it would be the hideous

practice of sending comic valentines. Hurting the feelings of another and shielding one’s self behind one’s nameiessness is the act of a coward if done intentionally, or of a fool if done thoughtlessly. . It is a matter of eohgmtulation that so evil a practice is dyipg out and becoming more nnd morn , restricted year by year—*a pleasant proof of advancing civilization. But tlie older and better custom, of sending little words of cheer and affection, shows no sign of falling off. Children love to get valentines, and nothing ran lie more kindly thap for grown folk tq spend a few cents nqd take pains tv* remember all the little folk they know. Small girls especially long for many valentines, and are corretqiondingly disapjioiiitetl if they do not come. If there is any sentiment left in your soul after this graceful little performance, it will be well to remember your faithful H|totißc nnd see the. blush of pleasure mount to the cheek at the unexpectedness of tin* remembrance. St. Valentine’s day is nothing if not for this and affairs of sentiment like it. 'There is none too much loving kindness hi this busy workaday world. Add a drop or two of its essence, and ace how happy it will make you.—Wallace Rice in Chicago Journal. Out of 1,548,054 votes polled in the Gpcent election in Mexico only 92.172 Were against Dias V