The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-01
THORNS AMONG THE ROSES.
How Florists Must Strive to Please Mourners,
Lovers and Blooming Brides.

Pittsburg Dispatch.
SIT is amusing to sit here and watch people as
they come in here to buy flowers" said leading
florist i'll a recent conversation. 1--WE have every
kind TO deal with. Let me give you pointer
When people wish flowers, if they would come
to the florist and say Il want flowers for such
and such an occasion, not to go over a certain
price, they would get more for their money; but
instead of that, florists are called upon to make
hashed up affairs that are disgrace to the buy
er as we'll as the seller. For an example: A party
will call in and order a l2x1G pillow, to be made
of flowers not at all suitable and on that space
will want inscribed half a dozen notices, such
as; Gone but Not Forgotten REST in Peace
Gone Above;' Asleep in Jesus 'Memento
MORT If we try and explain that it is imposs-
Gle to do it, they get mad, and say if we don't
want to make it, there are others who will.
But this is only one case, or rather one kind
of cases." he continued. II have had young
men who were only starting out ask for some
flowers. "A button hole bouquet for yourselfF
would inquire. Being answered in the affirma-
tive, would select probably pink or single
rose. He would suggest that add another and
another, and until | would have bouquet
de corsage, consisting of perhaps fifteen or
twenty roses. Imagine that in his buttonhole
But, don't you see, the silly fellow wanted that
for his girl, and was too bashful to says so. Only
last week two couples, evidently from rural
district, came III. They wanted some 'posies
When / asked what for, they looked at each
other silly and gggleG. l just thought, from
the hangdog appearance OF the couple, that they
were lovers, so [ asked if it was for a wedding.
After much stammering and gggCg one girl
said: Yes, and it Isl who Oh earth told you about
itY
"Do you know the language of flowers! What
you don't bother with it? Well, you never have
been very much in love with any particular man.
The other day girl came in with one of those
little books the druggists give away containing
the language Of flowers. She studied it for
three quarters of an hour, and then spent two
hours getting an assortment for her, and it only
cost 20 cents. She sighed deeply, rolled up her
eyes, and asked for spindle-tree l walked back
to the end of the store, got down our Sentiments
of Flowers and read the meaning, Your image
is engraved on my heart / came back and told
Next was catch-fy, which means. lam willing
prisoner You see, after she started,
hunted them all out, so / can tell you
what they signify. Next was red tulip 'declara
ton of love- l was sorry, but they are out of
season Sunfower, adoration' chckweed, let
us meet again. Virginia creeper, cling to you,
both in sunshine and shade;' spirea, blighted
mourning BRIDE unfortunate attachment rose
mary, remember me- red rosebud, thou hast
stolen my affections; moss rosebud, confession
of love- lungwort, thou art my love-; red pink,
pure and ardent love- pineapple, you per-
feet phlox our souls are one;' petunia, your
presence soOthes me-; peach blossom, L am
yours Ohio beauty, you my divinity for
get-me not, true love- mistletoe, L surmOunt
dificuties;' lilac, first love; iris, a message for
you; juniper, live for thee geranium. many
are lovely, but you excel ALL hyurap, have [
caught you at lastN Well. if l would tell YOU all
she asked for, it would fill column. She had
it made up regardless of color and terribly
disappointed because she could not get all; some
had never been asked for before. So YOU see a
florists life is not all roses"