Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-02-19
THE VALENTINE REVIVAL.
A Good SeasOn-SOme Of the Oddities
OF the Trade-The story OF the
SANDY Spring Lover.

A Good SeasOn-SOme Of the Oddities
OF the Trade-The story OF inc
sandy Spring Lover.
In conversation with Col 10. Shillington, the
well known book and stationary dealer, corner
OF AZ street and Pennsylvania avenue, on the
subject of the sale of valentines and their
unusual demand for them this year, he said IL
reminded him Of old times when he introduced
the valentine business In 1s4!. 1t was not un.
usual to find sale for quite costly ones, and $50
price valentine he ever sold was $l25, but the
greater portion ranged from 81 to $40. He re-
lated some amusing experiences In the bust
home spun clothes, from Sandy Springs, Mary
land, drove up In a country wagon and
eloowing his way through, the crowd OF
TO buy voluntine." Ee was shown to the
Widespread counters, and after an approving
glance. set himself to selecting one to his taste
After lengthy search he hit upon one about
eighteen inches long and foot wide, bordered
with gay colors. and pair OF palptating red
hearts pierced with an arrow In the center, and
tnqu1rtng the price. laid down his three silver
dollars. at the same time requesting Mr.. Shii-
ington to direct II TO his lady love at Sandy
Springs, giving her name. An envelope
was found to match. and The precious missive
written on the outside, and he was about to
start when the thought occurred that he had
not signed his name TO 1t, and turning back he
inquired what name the Colonel had put to 1t.
SbilliDgtOn replied that 1t was not customary
for the sender to attach any name, but to leave
the recipient 10 happy, though perpleXing
doubt. "Oh, by thunder. that won't DO In this
case" he replied, conhdingly. "You see, there
are two OF US fellers, rivals, and the
gal might think it was sent by the
other feiler." 1t must be done, and
the colonel tore open the envelope and wrote,
Prom your faithful valentine" signing the
name OF the owner. He then hunted up au-
other immense envelope and again addressing
the ladys name handed tG to the purchaser.
who straightway drove 70 the post Office with
1t. About an hour later, In looking over his
stock he discovered the same yountine With
the name of the purchaser just as he had writ
ten It,. and a moments reflection convinced
him that he had sealed up the envelope
without the valentine. A messenger was
at once sent to look about the post
office and market house for him, but he could
not be found, and the Colonel said nothing, but
awaited results. About three days afterwards
the same chap drove up again, and entering
the store considerably excited. called the
Colonel aside. and said: what do you think,
MIR. Shillington? You remember the Voluntlne
bought here?n Yes replied the Colonel.
postmaster at the Springs opened the envet
ope. stole the voluntine, sealed up the
envelope. and the gal got nothing"
"You don't tell me So said the Colonel, ':he
ought TO be kicked out of Office for that but I'll
tell you what I'll do. have another one, just
like the one you bought. I'll put it up for you
and charge you nothing for It." This pleased
the young man vastly. and after cursing that
id whig postmaster at the Springs he started
of, saying he would not trust him again but
would deliver 1t himself.