Evening journal., 1908-02-11
READY FOR FETE
DAY OF LOVERS
ST. Valentine Will be Well
Remembered by Whining
ton Young People
CITY RAMPANT WITH CUPIDS

If st. Valentine. that most deter
mined old bachelor in all the calendar,
could visit Wilmington just now he
would have reason to feel himself more
than ever aggrieved at the undesired
honor thrust upon him. when he was
appointed to stand perpetual sponsor
for the fete day of lovers. For never
have more elaborate preparations been
made for the anniversary than are now
in readiness for the coming fourteenth
of February
All of Wilmington seemed rampant
with hearts. darts and other tokens
prepared by sly Dan Cupid, st. Valen-
tines unwelcome and tricky auxiliary,
for the undoing of those who are fain
TO follow the good saints example of
I single blessedness. At the confec-
TONERS the stationers. the jewelers., the
picture dealers, everywhere in fact, the
windows and shelves are full to over
flowing of heart-shaped boxes, red pa
per hearts. to be used as place cards
at Valentine entertainments; prettily
bound volumes of poems, dealing with
the tender passion and lavishly decor
ated with the ever-present hearts, err
rows, ouivers and cupids galore: pic
ture frames and pin trays. also heart
shaped. and tender missives of every
description, all prepared and ready to
accompany them.
Attractive Designs.
Among the valentines proper there
has been an attempt at the revival of
the old-fashioned lace paper missive,
Of which many attractive designs are
being shown in place of the sundry and
expensive celluloid and satin articles Of
the last few seasons. Then there are
hundreds of artistic pictures appropri-
ate, both in design and sentiment, for
valentine gifts. In fact. along all
lines there is a decided advance in
good taste. artistic merit and dainti-
ness in this years tokens over those
Of former seasons. due. perhaps, to
growing feeling against the debasement
of a really beautiful custom by the
rude and commonplace.
The nearest approach to the comic
is found in the postcards, but even
these are an improvement OF the old
time horrors printed on a sheet Of
cheap paper labeled "Old Maid"
Cheap Skate" school Ma'am," "Old
Bachelor" etc, which a few years back
were considered the height of humor-
at least by the purchaser. Now even
the sanguinary little red heart boxes
at the confectioners have their redeem
ing feature in the hidden store Of
sweets, usually clear taffy. chocolate
CHI al
which they are filed. Others Of Tie
| candy receDtacies are ir the form of
dainty little baskets. which can be
used as receptacles Cor jewels. and TO
serve as a lingering reminder Of the
sender long after the 18th of February
had faded into the dim mist Of other
and less important days.
| Flowers to Be Used.
! Flowers. too will be extensively used
! this season for valentine tokens. Up
/ to-date florists. however. scorn the ex-
/ cessive use of the brilliant red, which
! has become as synonymous with the
| day devoted TO the patron saint of love
| as purple is to Lent A florist is au-
/ thority for the statement that there is
never any special demand for Ameri-
can Beauties or red carnations at St.
Valentines, the preference being rather
for violets and sweet peas.
The manner in which floral offerings
are done up" rather than their color,
is what makes their appropriateness
upon this occasion. so instead of a con-
ventional pasteboard box the violets OF
other blossoms intended for valentine
offerings will be sent in heart-shaped
boxes or elaborate wicker baskets. In
view howevog Of the cry Of hard times
which viii forbid the purchase of the
more expensive novelties. no lover need
| despair of being able to send an appro-
pirate token to the object of his affec-
ton, for as pretty as any are the dainty
i little cards of a delicate gray or cream
strewn with delicate blossoms and bear
ing the words Il love you," and which
l probably will. prove in nine cases out OF
ten the most welcome Of all.
Club to Dance.
/ r...t.