Arizona weekly citizen., 1884-02-23
ST. VALENTINES DAY.
LOW THE YOUNG SWANS AND LAssIRs OF
 TUCSON TREAT IT.

St. Valentines Day, the IIth of Feb ruary, IS, or more correctly was, cele- brated Tn England, Scotland and in diff ferent parts of the continent, partlcu- Lariy Lorraine and Maine, in France. by a very partieulsr and amusing custom. Oh the eve or St Valentine a number or young folk maids and bachelors would assemblf together and inscribe upon little bile ts the name of an equal number of maid and bachelors of their acquaintance, [ brow the whole into g receptacle of sd dme sort, and then draw them lottery vi ise-care, of course. be- lng taken that bach should draw one of the opposite sex. The person thus drawn becamd ones valentine. The connection with the custom with St Valentine is p hrely accidental. In the legends of the different saints of that name recorded in the Acta Sancatorum no trace of the practice peculiar to this day is found.
 The modern manner of treating this ancient custom Is entirely different from the social md lettings above described. The blliets are hot openly delivered. In this country th e United States mails are the secret cOhyeyances of these love tokens. In fact in many instances a Valentine nOw-a-days carries with 1t several degrees of sarcasm and disgust, instead of affection, and the sender cares little to have his identity known to the recipient Reference is made to the guadlly painted caricatures, with an exacraole Versd underneath, Thus the
 world ln one respect degenerates. When once tue valentine devoted ex- clUslTely tO the transmission of the purest and most atfecti1nate greetings, millions are nOT sold which when passed into the postoiflce, are only intended to convince the party wno receives 1t, of DIS or her greatest fault. It ''pokes fun, at hls business career, his social nablts, his dress, and his physical Rt- fractions.
 A CITIZEN reporter n conversation with statloner here, was informed that over a thousand valentines had been sold during the past week in this city.
 What styles did you select in making your Order?' inquired the reporter.
 "l ordered ten times as many of these funny affairs as any others. They are always Tn the greatest demand. You see they can be had as low as five cents, and seldom sell for more than fifteen or twenty cents. They are ID the reach of sll."
 ''But you sell some very expensive uatterns?'
 "Oh. yes, for Tucson. have disposed # some, O. very exquisite construction for as high as SI5. There is very little profit on them, however, because they are a luxery, and will not be accepted without beIng apparently worth the fuIl amount paid. Why, the other day D young society man here came to me and wanted the pretties5 thing in stock. He said cost was no object. He wanted one that comes in an artistically en- bossed push box. I got it for him. tell you 1t was handsome, and he had to pay S32 for it. He did not murmur, and even informed me conidentially that he intended enclosing within the numerous perforated folds of the valentine, a diamond brooch for his lady love. But then he has plenty of money and csn afford it.
 Besides these funny valentines and the highest class of fantastic souvenirs. aren't there other grades sold?"
 "Yes. this year especially, have we dis posed of a large number of chromatic- ally printed and engraved cards-the same, you know, as the Christmas, New Years and birthday designs, only they gre differently illustrated and contain more suggestive poetry. I think these are just as handsome as any; they have stylish borders, are gotten up with the best artistic taste, and are, in fact, be- coming fashionable"
 How many of them have you sold?' asked the writer
 Nearly all 1 ordered. The truth is, this year the demand for valentines ID Tucson has far exceeded the supply. Of course there are always a few of the poorer sort left in stock after the day Is past. But they will keep"