Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-13
IT Is LOvERS'-DAY.
THE ANNIVERSARY OF GOOD OLD
ST. VALENTINE.
THE OBSERVANCE is UNIVERSAL,
Men Laugh mt the Day, and All Unite
In Celebrating 1.-THE Celebration
May BE Secret, But II II Genuine
Some OF This Years Novelties.

Sentimentalists are in their glory on
st. Valentine's-Day.
1t is not known whether the 14th OF
February is the date OF the old Saints
birth or death, but II is fact with which
ali are familiar that on this date boys
amounts Of sentimentality and fear no
criticism. Love-making may very well,
or course, be q side issue on almost every
occasion where young people OF the op-
posite sexes are thrown together, or where
communication is possible, but ST. Valen-
Tuesday is the only one OF the year
when lovers rights are universally ad-
mitted and respected and their weakness
es winked at
They say the good old saint was Of a
nature so gentle and sweet that when he
walked in the woods and fields the timid
little birds forgot to be afraid and perched
upon his shoulder and lowered about his
head unscared. His day in the calendar
is that upon which the birds select their
mates for the summer and IL is said that
this is the reason why II has been set
apart as lovers day, when men and maid
ems may speak their hearts without fear.
UNIVERSALLY OF SENTIMENT.
This is. an explanation that explains 1t
is true, but it is one which is not uni
versally accepted. 1t has always seemed
as If st. Valentines-Day was but the
worlds recognition of the universally
of sentiment, a tribute to love which ex-
perience has wrung from clustering man.
The observance of st. Valentine s-Day IS
much more nearly universal than is gene
rally supposed. 1t is not celebrated with
the eclat of Christmas Fourth Of July,
or Thanksgiving, but the observance Is
almost as general and far more sincere.
Men will not hear of the thousands and
tens of thousands of tender missives
which will go futtering through the world
tomorrow, as deadly as arrows shot
from Cupids bow. Only two pairs OF
eyes will see each one, but each Will be
treasured more sacredly than most things
in these days. when the treasure of yes
terday is the castaway bauble of to-day.
Not every young man and woman vii
receive and send these symbolic express
sions Of alteration but who will be hardy
enough to say that the heart Of any viii
not throb more quickly and with a ten
derness that is always a joy as he OF
she thinks of a fair lassie or bonnie
maiden whose name must be uttered
under the breadth. No valentine may
pass, but the tender tribute of the hear
is a real though mute. observance Of
lovers day.
IS OBSERVED BY ALL.
1t is not only the young who keep the
| day-not alone those who have the bes
part of life outstretching before them
| 1t is sweet to think that they who have
accomplished the greater portion Of the
! Journey in the company OF those
of their choice. upon this day love tC
recall the happy times when the heart
| first began 10 swell with love. and brigh
eyes grew brighter as they gazed into
those that loved them. or dwelt upon th'
| Cupids and doves and pierced hearts
which came to them on the 18th of Feb
| ruary.
Whether a valentine be mailed, whether
a word TO shcw that the day is remem
bered be spoken, every tender recollec-
ton recalled by this anniversary. every
| thought of the hearts ideal which IL be
| gets. is a tribute to st. Valentines mem
| ory. as well as proof OF the reality Of
the one thing in life which men are 81
prone upon other days to term its great
| est intangibility.