The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-02-23
For the Democratic ldcoeate.
The Late Valentine Party.

The Late Valentine Party.
MEssRs. EDroRs.-As you and all Of your
readers well know, there comes time once
year, which is known as ST. Valentines
day. We do not propose to give an account
of the origin of the day nor the custom of
sending Valentines of every style, shape and
color. Nor do we intend to quarrel with
those who consider all this as foolishness and
something not to be encouraged by sensible
! people Oh no. We are quite willing for
them to have their opinion, but at the same
time we will endeavor to show that ST. Val.
entlne is not myth, and that Madame Val
entine and Cupid are real, iiCiRg, Gciiag be-
ings. More than week ago, while certain
gentlemen were perfoaning their daily duties.
they we're suddenly stopped by the tyltsty
messenger of their master, who in identified
silence handed each one n small note. which
read as follows
Sir.-St. Valentine sends greetings to his
faithful subjects and commands their presence
at his Mystic Court at the witchine hour
when twilight lets her curtain down and pins
it with star
ST. Valentines Heralds-Ladies of the
Addison. Madame Valentine-Miss NJ. b.
Shellman.
Translation of the above Meet at Mrs.
Shellman's, Thursday, February 14th, 1878.
at a, p. m.
Such peremptory orders could not be diso.
beyed, and at the appointed hour they found
themselves on the way to the trystine-place.
After awaiting the arrival of the ladies for
some time. the door opened, and Madame
Valentine appeared in full costume, match
maker IN the true sense of the word: her
dress trimmed with little Cupids and hearts.
each one, we suppose, representing some
amman heart which she has broken. She
then proceeded to introduce the assembled
multitude OF young men to the mysteries of
''Cupid's Junk Shops" the ladies baving
learned all about it long before, if we are To
Judge from the following placard occupying
prominent place:
FOR SALE
Sweet-hearts wives for Peasants and Einvs
orange-howers, Wedding oakes Ribbons and Rings
The gentlemen took their positions on one
side OF this tcoRderfhl store house and began
to look about for the adrertfssa B,erehandiss
AT ilrst 1t seemed as if Cupid had disposed of
his last article; that he had not even one sam
PIE left, but they were presently informed that
they were only to exercise patience and main
tam perfect silence, and they would not be
disappointed. True enough, these conditions
being complied with, .he ladies very soon en-
tered the room preceded by Miss Mary b.
Shellman, personating Madame Valentine
and little boy, taking the part Of Cupid.
Ihey appeared IN the costume of Scotch Peas
ants, and /, if had the space, could not do
them justices suffice It to say, that there were
bows, ribbons, laces, flowers, &c, of every
color OF the rainbow, except green, since they
remembered that the gentlemen were green
enough to make up for any deficiency in that
regard on the part of the ladies. Cupid next
furnished the ladies with hearts and the gen
tlemen with darts, which were marked with
corresponding numbers. As a number was
called out the lady and gentleman would stem
into the centre of the room, exchange dart
for heart and await the pleasure of Madame
" who would read their valentines aloud,
containing many happy hits and ending by
giving the one to the other. We will not I'M
veil to the careless view of uHiRteresled par
ties the conflicting emotions, the alienation
OF hope and fear in the minds of those who
felt that their destiny was to be decided on
that night. When this important matter was
settled, the couples thus disposed of, twenty
TOUR IN number, dispersed to different parts
OF the house and enjoyed themselves in their
own way. Presently the doors were opened
and all were invited to enter the next room.
where they found beautifully spread tables
and where they did full justice to the good
things so pentifully furnished them. When
due respect had been paid to this part of the
programme, the violin and guitar were brought
forth, and some very stirring music produced.
to which some of the listeners were sorely
tempted to keep time. There is one thing
that we must not omit to mention. At the
request of the President of the Addison. Miss
Spalding rehearsed ''rhe Changed Cross
which we think was one of the most pleasant
features of the evenings entertainment Miss
Spaldlng has gained quite n reputation among
the members Of the Reading Circle for her
talent in expressing TO others the true sense
| to be drawn from the foundations Of n great
mind, and this we think was one of her most
successful efforts. But while all these things
were taking place time was flying, and we
were surprised to find that it was no longer
Valentine day, and for that reason it was time
for the Valentine Party to adjourn. Accord
lngly, with the exception of q few who re-
manned to listen to the music, we repaired to
our homes, much pleased with the manner
IN which the evening was spent, feeling sure
that 1t would be something to remember with
pleasure, and regretting only one thing viz
That Miss NJ. b. ). did not get a Valentine,
but eOnsoied ourselves with the hope that she
would take pity on the ''oid bachelor" Now.
Messrs. Editors, we have one favor to ask of
you:-If you should happen to hear any one
speak of the good old times, - saving that
things are not as they used to be, &c. -
please refer them to the Valentine Party held
at Mrs. Shellman s, where met seventy-iive
ladies and gentlemen; relate the particulars
OF 1t, and If they know of anything of their
youth to equal it, let them show it forth
through your columns, and we will aclnowl-
edge ourselves conquered. Yours, REY.