The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-02-13
y CUPID'S ANNIVERSARY DAY.
The Festival of ST. Valentine Fails on til e
Sabbath.

Sabbath.
For two weeks past the windows Of
the toy and confectionery stores of Elk
ton have been decorated with a motley
collection of both handsome and rdi-
culous emblems Of St. Valentines Day
which occurs tomorrow. The amused
faces of the children have peered in
longingly at the comic illustrations and
the modest young men have looked
askance quite frequently at some tribute
of the occasion which they would like
to present to the objects of their de
votion. There are more pretty valen-
tines this year than ever and a dealer
said this week that the trade expected
that people would spend more money
than usual. "It's going to be very
fashionable this ST. Valentines Day TO
send Valentines" said the dealer, land
Of course if its going to be the correct
thing we'll do big business in fine
grade of cards. Who buy the expen-
sive valentines? Why, bless your
heart, lots of people-young men, prin-
cipally. They come into the store,
select something pretty for five, SIX,
eight or ten dollars, pay for it, leave
the address that it's to be sent to and
walk out. Very few expensive valen-
tives are sent through the mails. They're
too frail and banging about in mail
bags is bound to break them. If it had
notbeen for the introduction of real
art in the past few years the valentine
trade would not amount 10 much now,
but the valentines Of to-day surpass any
Of former years. The profits of fine
valentines are large and enables dealer
to get out whole. Valentines are
cheaper Oh St Valentines Day than
they are the day before. That's be-
cause we want to get rid Of them"
OF the many pretty designs there
is one of an elegant tan-shaped card
OF rich silk plush and white satin,
trimmed with swan 5 down, with silk
edges and cords and tassels, the
centre figure being a panel on which
is painted an elaborate landscape
surrounded by moss roses and other
flowers This little favor costs $40.
a card with hand-painted cluster
of gcraniums in a panel set in a silk
plush frame with the corners trimmed
to show the satin lining has the greet
ing on nickel pin and the whole
sits on an easel. This style is worth
s.. handkerchief boxes and scent
cases are disguised into the shape of
valentines and are quite elaborate.
Silhoutte cards in India ink, trimmed
with fancy ribbon bows, and other
cards, with alligator skin covers, are
recommended as quite correct. For
a young man an appropriate valen-
tine this year is a silk and satin
jockey cap i'll vmicgated Colors.
Among the most expensive valcn-
tines are imported bronzcs set i'll
plush frames or mounted on cards.
They are worth from IS to SO. The
young men OF Elkton will read over
this list with surprise and astonlsh-
ment for it is seldom that their Sc
lection of valentines is quite so clabo-
rate nor would they be likely to find
such a collection of goods outside
one of the city stores, however the
variety of cards on sale here in town
is very pretty and the prices at which
they range are comparatively mod
est. This festival of St. Valentine is
probably the most beautiful of all the
customary anniversaries that have
been handed down to us through the
ages. 1t is a festival that appeals to
the tender passions of the heart and
inauguratcs the season when ques-
tons are ri pc for popping and love
confessions most easy to make.