Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1893-01-04
FLOWERS AND LOVE.
HUGE SUMS ARE OFTEN SPENT BY
SENTIMENTAL FELLOWS.

Baskets of Rare Blossoms That Cost the
Ardent Youth Hundreds of Dollars.
Florists in New York City DO a Thriv-
ing business in All Seasons.
'I want to be hung up." When a 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 a 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 bill.
Thousands and thousands of dollars
are spent yearly by the young dudes and
the old chappies of Gotham on their ia
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.
~ 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 o'clock. 1t will be
decorated with very wide pink and blue
satin ribbon yard long. For a hun.
dred extra / will put 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, ehY'
Very well; hang me 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 800 basket is
a 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 written
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 81. 80 per rose.
That is eighteen dollars dozen. Maybe
she gets two dozen day in a big blue
and gold box.
Cholly pays for these.
"There are hundreds of high rollers in
Gotham, says the exclusive florist, "who
spend enough each season to keep a
family-spend it on flowers for the giddy
queen of the footlights and upon their
lady loves.
"It is not uncommon to receive an or
der from some young dude to deliver to
his lady friend bouquet each morning,
say for month. He will plank down
$50 with the order. For this sum we
are to send little Miss Million bunch
of selected roses for thirty mornings.
There is to be an air of romance over the
gift. 1t is to be sent to the house
promptly at o'clock each morning. No
note or name is to accompanyi Little
Miss Million is not to know, you know.
OF course he viii call each night and
see his flowers on the piano. Maybe one
night he viii be rewarded by seeing her
wear one beautiful rose in her yellow
hair. am sure that is worth $50 to
any young chappie."
There is no limit to the money that
may be paid for floral decorations for a
swell Gotham funeral. The late Ia
Inented Patrick S. Gilmore's funeral was
made memorable with offerings whose
value ran up into the thousaNis, but il
is sweet to know, however, that many
of these flowers came from the common
people, who loved him so well in life.
General Grants funeral was graced,
swell florists say, with more flowers
than New York ever saw before or since.
In Gotham the floral emblem holds
full sway in the matter Of appropriate
tributes to death.
In Gotham, if you are an athlete,
your friends will probably remember
you with pair Of "doral boxing gloves