Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-02-11
ST. VALENTINES DAY.
Some of the Ancient Customs Observed
by Cupid's Lads and Lassles.

Some OF the Ancient Customs Observed
by Cupid's Lads and LassIes.
That st. Valentines Day is near at
fancy goods counters. They are filed
with all manners OF darts and bleeding
hearts. Satin, tinsel, cellnloid. paper
and paste, with imitation handpainting
and copied verse-these go TO make up
| the average modern valentine.
| This year many OF these frail offer
ings take on the shape of some useful
article like celluloid handkerchiefs or
glove boxes, jewel cases and picture
frames, having only a valentine card
inclosed. Besides these are mberless
fancy cardboards friDged with paper or
bordered with frosted gold. These
usually contain some secret spring, un-
der which Cupid and his culver are
concealed.
What was once pretty and romantic
symbol has degenerated into an article
of commercial enterprise. For weeks
previous to February II poor girls
crowded into dismal attics in every big
city in the country to work with
patients fingers on these articles. Even
within the memory of the present gen.
eration's fathers and mothers it was
very different. Then ridiculous and
offensive letters were unknown. Val
entines contained only respectful con-
fessions OF love and pretty implied
hope for its return. All this was
wrought with greatest care and with all
the skill at the command Of the writer.
True sentiment garnished sheets Of
plain white paper, and the same was
carefully folded and sealed with red
wax. The time and care required TO
prepare one of these missives precluded
the possibility Of much anonymous
sending. And thus to become ones
/ valentine in those days ment much
more than it does at the present day.
Many a gallant young Lochinvar rode
leagues to deposit his love token at his
chosen mistress door and then sped
away on the wings OF the wind before
he could be recognized.
There was a belief among many peo-
pie then that the birds selected their
mates on this day. Aud there was
superstition also tnat there was some
influence inherited in the day, some
fate, which, in measure. made binding
the choice of a valentine. The fact
that this was usually the expression OF
q passion long nurtured in Lent, and
that is very often eliminated in mar
rage, strengthened this belief. 1t was
supposed that the first unmarried per-
son that one met on St. Valentines
Day would be ones future husband or
wife. Amusing stories are told OF
Young girls who would lie in bed with
their eyes tightly closed until they
were sure the propitious one was near
at hand, and no less Of young men, who
would make long Journeys around to
avoid the chances Of meeting al undes-
irable valentine.
In the olden times, st. Valentines
Eve was quite as generally observed as
is Christmas Eve at the present day.
Valentine parties OF eligible men and
maidens were common source OF
amusement. At these gatherings slips
of paper containing the names, fictitious
or real, of all present were shaken well
together in hat Lots were cast and
the one drawn was that persons val
entine for the evening. In face, it was
expected that the girl SO drawn should
be entertained for several days by her
"fatman," as he was called. After the
expiration OF these days and within
proper time he was expected to make q
present to bis valentine some token
appropriate and suitable TO whatever
sentiment these days Of courtesy had
inspired.
Another source Of amusement at
these gatherings was the writing Of the
names OF some doubtful ones, each on
seperate slip Of paper, which was
afterward rolled inside little ball OF
clay. The balls were then immersed 10
a basin of water. The one which was
brought TO the top first was said to be
that chosen by fate.
Another trick, and one sometimes
practiced by girls to-day on Halloween,
is TO fill with salt the white OF hard
boiled egg, eat without speaking and
walk backward to bed. The man dream
ed OF on that night is to be the future
husband.
The origin of st. Valentines Day
SCENE to have very little to do with the
saint himself, who was martyred
priest. II was the custom in ancient
Rome during the month of February to
celebrate feasts in honor of Pan and
Juno. And il was custom among the
priests when the festival was at its
height to place the names Of certain
maidens In a box TO be drawn by men.
The names of saints we're often snbsti-
tn ted for the names OF the girls. And
the practice gradually became recipro-
cal with the sexes.
When Claspings Are Broken.
In hnnk OF nv life I've turn'd q new Leaf