The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-02-11

.the knell Of parting day. while more
and more money goes into tender yet
sensible tokens Of regard, and Uncle
Sam reports that every year shows an
increased number Of pieces Of mail
handled because of the holiday.
This year the missives of Cupid will
meet an internal resistance. from the
fact that the day to be celebrated falls
on Sunday and neither the postman
nor the florists will make deliveries on
that day. In spite of the increased
mail, Postmaster Spekenhier be-
lieves he can make all deliveries Satur-
day and Monday without any extra
men.
Postcard Valentine New.
One OF the newer features In the OBJ
servance of st. Valentines day is the
post card valentine. This has very
largely displaced the colored mon
strosity that appealed to so many
tastes. More sad to relate is the pass
ing of that wonderful creation of fancy
and paste of earlier years, the lace
valentine. In its simpler forms 1t
was a more or less lastly arranged
combination of pictures, notices and
paper lace, and in it's transcedental
forms, it reveled in real lace, white
satin, gold letters, celluloid decorations
and pasteboard case. 1t had no
earthly value except as valentine and
as a dust catcher for whatever period
the indulgent recipient chose to let it
lie around.
But the tender sentiments which for
centuries have clustered around the
14th of February, inspired alike by
nature, custom and tradition, are no
less potent now than then. The obser-
walton of the day has changed in kind,
but not in degree. More and more the
tendency is to give to remembrance
that passes between friends or sweet
hearts moral tone. a spirit OF uplift.
It takes the form of the reproduction
of famous painting, choice bit OF
engraving, and more and more 1t is ex-
pressing itself in selection of acknOwl-
edged literature.
From the Dim Ages.
This is returning to the first causes.
The observance of the day goes back
to the dim ages which shroud it with
the halo of mystery. Old St. Valentine
was worthy of the early church, who
gave his life to the fury of the Roman
prosecution. He is supposed to have
for his special protection the young
men and maidens. On the anniversary
of his birth 1t was the custom of the
young people to meet in semi religious
gatherings and elect some saint after
whom they would pattern their life
in the year to come. Rude pictures of
the patron saints were usually ex-
changed as gifts. What romances
might grow of this pronpinquity the
wise student of human nature can
easily surmise.
Let no one imagine that the naive
state OF young affection lacks appro-
pirate and simple statement in this
day. Note this couplet. worthy of
Chaucer, copied from delicately en-
graved card:
Dearest friend, / love you true
Here's a valentine for you.'
On another card over which a water
color brush has traced graceful
spray of violets, this quatrain appears:
II bring breath of springtime
From woodlands where grew
A wish is on each petal
That the best may come to you."
Violet Now Reigns Supreme.
Among the books and booklets that
are popular are such gems of thought
as Cannon Farrars Just for Today"
Emerson's Essay on Friendship" an
anonymous publication entitled For
YOU" "Hiawatha's Wooing,'' bound in
birch bark, and love poems of Tenny-
son, bound in violet.
For the violet is the flower preem-
inent for this season. Where the
chrysanthemum reigned at Thanks
giving, the American Beauty at Christ
mas, and the lily already preparing to
queen it at Easter, the modest and un-
assuming violet. chosen messenger of
pure love now rules supreme. This is
reflected in the market quotations
which have steadily advanced for the
last few days, with prices for delivery
on Saturday quoted at 81 for lunches
of SO of the double variety, and, $1.25
for the single variety. Next in order
of popularity comes American Beauties
Valley lilies, tulips and hyacinths are
also popular, and in good form.
For the language of flowers express
in nice gradations and with exquisite
subtlety, the exact sentiments Of the
man for the maid. The devoted ad-
mirer, whose protestations have met
with no great encouragement, should
send only violets. If after he has re-
ceived due encouragement, he still
wishes to emphasize the undying and
yet ETHEREAL qualities of his love. he
will send only violets.