Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1882-02-12
ST. VALEk TINE.
THE DARTS THAT CUPID WILL
FIRE ON TUESDAY.


ves-Pu sentiment haAtnk the
Place of Vulgar Familiarity -
Prices and Demand.
Next Tuesday will be st. Valentines
Day. 1t is a day always to be remembered
in some degree by young and old, and it is
pleasant to write that it will be observed
more faithfully and in a more becoming
manner in Eureka than ever before. There
are two reasons for this: the quality OF
valentines and a purer sentiment. Our
dealers in these tokens of friendship, affec-
ton or love have every reason to feel hap
py over the sales made thus far, and there
are still many hours remaining for the
father who never forgets his darlings and
their love for the pretty cards; the lover,
who this season cannot complain Of the
taste shown in the making of the valen-
tines, nor of their scale of prices or varie-
ty; and the ever present small boy, who
reyels in the "comics," to make their
selections.
A NEW ORDER OF THINGS.
Valentines have been generally sent
anonymously, but a more open-handed
habit is beginning TO prevail, for aside
from wishing to commemorate st. Valen-
tines Day, many who are purchasing the
finer kinds will feel indisposed to allow
the receivers to give other persons than
the senders the credit Of a generous re-
membrance. The secretive method will
be for the most part confined to fo%rwarders
OF the "comics," which are generally, it
must be confessed, sent for the single pur-
pose of wounding the feelings Of the sensi-
tive persons whose weaknesses and lido
syncracies are emphasized by the carica-
ture and doggerel printed upon them.
But there is a slight improvement in the
comic line-they are now less vulgar, not
insulting, and 80 grotesque that they will
make a man laugh, no matter how plainly
his weakness is depicted upon them. The
abominable and criminal French valen-
tines have found no market in Eureka this
season, and this is greatly to the credit Of
our dealers.
STYLES AND PRICES.
Among the new variety OF valentines
there are many styles, from the tiny fam
shaped dart to the handsome cardboard a
foot square, running all the way from SO
cents up to S25 in price. Messrs. Calisher
and Davidson, our two principal dealers,
have, however, confined their trade to the
lesser priced. A few of the higher valued
tokens, though, have found their way to
the Range to gladden. the hearts of some
susceptible young persons. During the
past week a SENTINEL reporter was allowed
to look at two of these precions missives.
One was valued at $25. 1t was a beautiful
box, covered with satin and adorned with
a mirror on the lid. Inside was a charm
ingly arranged mass Of lace, silk and vel
vet, while here and there were sprays of
dainty little flowers creeping over gems of
pictures, each period of investigation I'M
folding new beauties not seen OF first.
The other, valued at SIS, was equally
beautiful. though o 30 elaborate. This
was OF wicker work, the interior sprinkled
with diamond dust, 80 prepared that the
accumulations were adhesive, while pretty
scintillations flashed from folds OF lace.
RON AND WATER coLoRs.
In these our dealers have done q brisk
trade during the past ten days. The as-
sortment was very tasteful, and some ex-
ceedingly pretty designs were exhibited.
They resembled the Christmas, Easter and
birthday cards. No words can convey an
accurate idea Of their exquisite beauty.
Attractive enough for the most exacting
are the squares of satin on which are
pictures. Some Of these are COM
posed OF two cards. On the outside are
beautifully executed of wild
roses and olover-blossoms, with appropriate
quotations from the poets, while inside is
4 satin bedding on which is a spray of
heliotrope at which yellow butterflies sip.
The treasure is finished with silk cord and
and satin fringe. The price Of these
Is from 50 so to S.. The German designs
ire for the most part on fans, and consist
artificial flowers, where colors and shapes
blend and harmonic as II placed there by
the hand of nature. But
II AMERICAN CARDS
by far the prettiest. 30 delicate are
they In color that ii 10 not easy to believe
they are native and not exotic, aud the
doubt becomes still stronger when one
looks at their backs, for here we find
Of pale blue on which lie Chero-
kee roses or apple blossoms, or fields of
soft pink studded with chrysanthemums
Or daisies a little deeper in color, or dark
olive foliage on in olive ground, and one
fairly catches the floral odor in gazing at
them. The designs on the face OF the cards
are graded to suit all ages, for the young
lady whom Cupid has found while gather
ing flowers in the meadow is apparently "a
years old, and the little maid who stands
among the tall corn gathering field pop
pies does not seem to have seen more than
or four Summers. Another card
shows the naughty, chargefnl boy SILVER
ing in the snowfakes, and peeping in at q
behind which q lady is sitting.
md another shows 9 pretty girl with q
background of landscape. Such are q few
Of the wondrous beauties, complicated and