The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-15

Messages and "Reminiscences That
Came and Went Yesterday


II was undoubtedly upon the theory that
love ard sentiment can thrive in any kind
OF weather mat ST. Valentines day FOR
1897 was ushered in with a h,uste- and fuss
o. the elements that would better have
marked the anniversary % some ROBUST or
war-lfke deity than thar OF the mis-
chisvous. bat gentle wtthaL naked little
chap whose shafts are lsyeled without
prejudfce at az classes.
II was Just snch a day as the weather
bureau and paid representations say vii
Re bright and sunshiny and beautiful, ard
that Is the very reason why a lowering sky
and beating rain marked x. from the
cheerful homes Up where the ar1stocrats
live. down TO the cabins along the water
front. as one OF the most oisagreeabls
periods of twenty-four hours duration
that the chroniclers can charge against
the season
All over the city targets were set up,
the ceaters Of which We're hearts. and the
archer who succeeded IN fixing his shafts
in one Of these attractive Oulg s-eyes &C
counted himself lucky and happy man.
With the rain there was q downfsoOT or
roses for some. and TO others there was
only the sodden comfort Of the day. Rue
for them.
In homes where the fire glowed brightly
there were messages brought in cases OF
gilt and ilmy lace. telling an old story as
simple and as beautiful as that which
came perhaps years and years before 10
grandmothers. whose dear, old faces, fur-
rowed with the seams Of time, flush in
happy remembrance Of the days when a
more gallant and courtly generation paid
its tribute 10 the love-god and TO the day.
What world OF remembrance is conpIred
up by the recurring years 10 those grand
danes, as they watch with dimming eyes
the telling OF the old story that they lis
tened 70 when they were girls.
There's rosemary: that's for remem-
brance." and the faint aroma, musty as
from an old rose Jar or the sweet smelling
linen chest, is waited across their lives.
St Valentines day is very beautiful in
its best sentiments and appeals most
strongly 10 fine minds that are hereditary
from the best stock II is a day that has
furnished the inspiration for generations
OF poets and dreamers and has been the
chord upon which the jolly guild Of weak
minded. Old minstrels played when not
stunning something heroic about their
listeners ancestors or unheard-of gods Of
war and conquest. From the time of the
medieval easement from which the new
ed-up maidens shot blushing, virginia.
glances down upon some venturesome gal
liant. who plunked out an accompaniment
to his signing refrain, down through the
the renaissance. S.. Valentines. day has
furnished an excuse for loye-making !:
whether its tonal quality has been carried
along 10 the tinkling of the spinnet or the
harIgsichord or to the sonorous throbbings
Of brass bands. with the bOom-boom jar
rings of bass drums. makes no difference.
Minds and hearts have been attuned TO oc-
casions, and 70 paraphrsse the great Car
dinal Ricnelieu, himself a past master In
love and intrigue for love all place a
temple: all seasons summer" might not
be straiuing at the thongs Of fact. Love
Is a decidedly perennial quality, often
times ephemeral but II is altogether de-
Hghtful thing in its way and it's way is
the way OF the world.
II IS also productive Of heart burnings
and the knowledge that the dainty trifies
Of valentines are sent 10 one particular di-
vlnity, instead OF another. has made gray
hair and wan cheeks on the part of the
other.
The sending Of funny pictures does not
always mean an offense. The real valen-
tine is the sentiment that is dictated by a
loving heart addressed TO Its idol, and no
matter whether encased in suggestions Of
finery. with spotless doves billing and
brooding, or a simple little note OF love
sent from out the fullness Of a heart. does
not change the idea Of the day.