Feb. 14, 1882: Love and practical jokes flourish by the wagon load in Los Angeles. “More hearts are made sad by the villainous characters and miserable doggerel sent out broadcast, than can be cured before the next valentine day comes around. The American people are a nation of jokers and never lose a chance to play a practical joke and this chance cannot be lost, however much pain may be given.

This item appeared in the L.A. Times in 1882 and was republished in 2009 on latimes.com. It is available via Archive.org.