Evening journal., 1893-01-05
FLOWERS AND LOVE.
HUGE SUMS ARE OFTEN SPENT BY
SENTIMENTAL FELLOWS.

Florists In New York city Do a Thriy-
ing Business In All Seasons.
81 want to be hung up" When dap
per young blood" or an old Gotham
dandy comes into floral establishment
in Fifth avenue some bright fall after
noon and uses the above expression, at
the same time winking the other eye,
the tradesman knows that the customer
is in love, and that this is perhaps the
beginning of long campaign in which
the principal scene is to be Cupid daily
ing amid the flowers.
Maybe she's an actress.
In that case there will be no limit to
the hanging up matter. Every swell
Gotham florist knows that his customers
seldom pay cash for the floral decoration
to their love affairs. There is plenty Of
risk in the business, but the profits are
solarge that the tradesmen take the risks.
You would be surprised at the number
Of men in swell circles who play "broke'
to their florist.
"Chase me, chase me-"
This is what they say when the trades
man presents a bill.
Thousands and thousands Of dollars
are spent yearly by the young dudes and
the old chappies of Gotham ON their fa-
vorite actresses. Maybe Cholly goes to the
"Black Crook" some night, and there on
sight falls under the fascination of the
chorus girls fair beauty. If You are
cynical or dyspepsia you will have your
doubts about her age and her hair; but
Cholly is in raptures all evening.
That night he hangs around the stage
entrance.
Next day he goes to his florist, takes
that worthy aside and tells him all
about it.
II think 500 basket will do, eh?"
Cholly mods.
81 will make you basket four feet
high. 1t will be delivered over the foot
lights promptly at 8 o'clock. 1t will be
decorated with very wide pink and blue
satin ribbon yard long. For a hun
dred extra l will put a couple Of doves
in the basket, concealed amid the roses.
The doves Will have satin ribbons tied
to their feet AS the basket is handed
over the lights the attendant shakes the
souvenir, and out fly the doves. All, old
fellow, what do you say to that, eh.'
Very well; hang Inc up for-r two
hun'ned, dontcherknow."
1t is a common thing for a swell New
York florist to prepare $500 basket for
some actress. To order a 800 basket is
commonplace.
A $500 basket usually consists of culled
roses, generally American Beauties, of
rare size and sweetness. The flowers are
cut with the stalks, and when placed in
the gold tinted basket stand four feet
high. The Offering is tricked out with
great widths Of blue, gold, pink or yell
low ribbon. In the center of the bouquet
space is left for a satin or lace box. The
usual protestations Of regard are writer
on scented note paper. This is the open
ing of the romance.
Little Miss Million receives roses IL
January.
They are rare American Beauties
They cost in Fifth avenue $3.50 per rose
That is eighteen dollars dozen. Mayb,
she gets two dozen a day in a big blu,
and gold box.
Cholly pays for these.
"There are hundreds of high rollers il
Gotham, says the exclusive florist, "wh,
spend enough each season to keep /;
faInily-spend it on flowers for the giddl
queen of the footlights and upon thei
lady loves.
''It is not uncommon to receive an or
der from some young dude to deliver Il
his lady friend q bouquet each morning
say for a month. He will plank dowl
$3.50 with tho order. For this sum w
are 10 send little Miss Million buncl
of selected roses for thirty mornings
There is to be an air of romance over tn
gift. 1t is to be sent to the hous
promptly at o'clock each morning. N
note or name is TO accompany it. Littl
Miss Million is not to know, you know
OF course he will call each night ant
see his flowers on the piano. Maybe on
night he will be rewarded by seeing he
wear one beautiful rose in her yelloN
hair. am sure that is worth $3.50 t
any young chappie."
There is no limit to the money tina
may be paid for floral decorations for
swell Gotham funeral. The late ID
Iueultu 1ALl4tlA - 0llllpIG 3 lultldA wa
made memorable with offerings who's
value ran up into the thousands, but
is sweet TO know, however, that man
Of these flowers came from the commo
people, who loved him so well in lifl
General Grants funeral was gracel
swell florists say, with more flower
than New York ever saw before or sine,
In Gotham the "foral emblem" hold
full sway in the matter of appropriai
tributes to death.
In Gotham, if you are an athlet'
your friends will probably remembt
you with pair Of floral boxing glove:
at your demise.
In Gotham, if you die at half past
your friends will probably remembl
you with a grand ''foral hail clock, - IL
hands stopped at half past 8.
In Gotham, if you die a letter carrie
your friends will probably rememb'
YOU with a "horal lamppost and mai
box" with letter to yourself on top
the box, addressed with your name an
the legend, SAT rest in heaven"
In Gotham, if you die a railroad maj
1.