The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1891-02-11

Jay Gould, like his friend Mr.. Sage,
has heavy st. Valentines Day mail, IN
which some very choice bits OF satire
and malediction reach him. And also,
like Mr.. Sage, he has never had time,
according to his own statement, to send
anv valentines himself. There is story,
unconfrmed by Mr.. Gould himself
though. that the railroad king received
q valentine in his early days which dis
pusted him SO thoroughly with the prac-
| tice as to cure him of any propensity to
| offer ND a sacrifice on st. Valentines al
| tar.
George Gould, who is rapidly becom-
ing as famous in the financial world as
his father, still has very clear recollec-
ton of the time when the average young
man sent valentines, but when I asked
him for his experience he assured me
that he had never INDUCED in the habit.
"That's always been rather out of my
line," he added. "f there is in exist
ence a valentine that sent I should
like to see it very much. I do not re-
member even as boy having ever paid
any attention to the day, and it's hardly
to be supposed that I'll take it up now"
D. o. Mills, the California millionaire,
looked puzzled when he tried to think of
his first valentine, but finally remarked
that he couldn't remember anything
about it.
people sent offerings in honor of st.
Valentines Day in my time" he said,
"and I may have done as tho rest, but !
really can't say whether did or not"
Ward McAllister, creator and chief
shepherd of the immortal Four Hun
dred, delivered his first valentine in a
most romantic manner. SIT occurred
just forty-one years ago." said the soci-
ETY. king in speaking of the event. 81
had returned to my home in Savannah
to study law. From time immemorial
the people down there have given valen-
tine parties on St. Valentines eve, and
a very pretty social observance it is,
one that might very proftably be fol-
lowed in the north. received an invi-
tation to attend one of these parties,
and of course accepted. When l reached
the house basketful of sealed envel-
opes was handed to me, and was told
to select one at random.
"When opened the envelope found
the name of very beautiful young lady
whom had the right to claim as part
ner for the evening. But in order to exer-
else this right had first to present her
with bouquet of flowers on my Bonded
knee in the public ballroom, and recite a
piece of poetry appropriate to st. Valen-
tines Day. TWAS pretty embarrassing
situation, but as all the other young fell
lows in the house had to do the same
thing plunged down boldly when my
turn came, holding the bouquet in my
outstretched hand, and looking deep
down into the blue eyes of the charming
maiden before whom / kneeled, 1 re-
cited the following poem, which l had
committed to memory for the occasion:
These flowers, dear lady, unto thee bring,
With hopes as timid as the dawning spring,
Which oft repealed by many chilling blast,
Still trusts its offering may succeed at last.
Receive, thou emblem of the rosy spring,
Charmer of life, of every earthly thing,
These flowers which, lovely as the tints Of
morn,
Yet meier can hope thy beauty to adorn.
Oh, may they plead for one who never knew,
Perfection's image till he met with you'll
Oh, may their fragrance to thy heart convey,
How much he would but does not dare to sayl
81 always thought that this poetry
was original with me-" added Mr.. Nc
Allister, "but see that it is claimed by
very famous woman as her compost
ton, and as l am not positive as to my
authorship yield the honor without
protest. But it is very pretty, and as it
formed the subject of my first valen-
tine do not think shall ever forget it."
On the occasion of Mrs. James Brown
Potters debut as an amateur actress, on
st. Valentines eve several years ago
Mr.. McAllister recited the poem again,
addressing himself to the famous beauty.
P. L..