Evening star., 1915-02-14

TT is q far cry. to the romantically
II inclined, from a homely sack of
q potatoes. a load of wood or keg OF
beer to a valentine, but In certain
counties in England, even up to the
present time, the exchange OF such
commodities has long been regular
observance of the 14th of February.
This interchange of courtesies is not
confined, to young. unmarried people,
for they have their parties, name draw
ings and all other such sentimental
formalities as have not surrendered to
the passage of time. But old men and
women, bachelors and spinsters-ln
fact, the whole family participates in
this odd gift giving, which is carried
on with the utmost pretensions to Sc
crecy.
Just as soon as it is dark on Naien-
tines eve the whole town population
gets busy Bundles of every size and
description are fixed up with Good
morrow, Valentine, card fastened to
them, and then the fun begins. The
bearer of the bundle must cautiously
lay that package on the doorstep of the
home of the recipient. knock or ring
the bell and then run away, get be-
hind tree, hedge or fence until the
door has been opened and the bundle
carried in. No matter if that same per
son is to receive one or a dozen bum
dies the bell must be rung ana sepa-
rate getaway made for each one or the
packages. That is part of the game.
1t is also part of the performance Tor
the one who answers the door to be
little slow in answering, so as to give
the gift bringer time to get IN hldlhg.
When the door is at last opened 1t Is
not within the rules of the game Tor
the householder to look around to DIS
cover any lurking visitors He must
keep his eyes downcast. seeing only the
nuch-wrapped package.
inside the whole family, children es-
pecially. are on the qui vive to open the
mysterious gift. After it has been duly
examined 1t is placed on table and
left with all succeeding gifts that ar
rive for display for several Gays. Ere
ouently when the people are popular
among their fellows this little per-
forrnance keeps up until midnight and q
great array of stuff of various xmas
chiefly household goods, is received
Good housewives send each other new
crockery and tinware, bakings of bread.
lars of preserves and pickles, cakes or
pies, fine bits of linen and embroidery.
while madame may get a new cioch
or brooch from her relatives: Bits OF
ieWelry, trinkets for the toilet table
or for personal adornment, such as gay
sashes or hair bows, find their way TO
the young girls. Fishing rods, base Dali
bats and other bOyiSh treasures also
come in handy for the lads
These gifts. always assumed to be
ANONYMOUS, often are of value as well
as being the expressions of erratc
tastes and practical usefulness. Many
man enjoys gift of cask or ale a
case of wine, box of clay pipes, supply
of tobacco or garden implements and
no housewife ever feels aggrieVed TO
find a hamper of game, fat goose or
a pair of ducks bearing it's message OF
good will for her.
x
Upon one occasion in Norwich a
young lady received a magnificent piano
without the slightest clew to indicate
the sender
Where this custom prevails 1T is a
poor person indeed who is not remem-
bered by some slight token Of his
neighbors' regard. Indeed to neither
receive nor give at this time sets one
the community.
While these gifts are ostensibly
anonymous. and the givers. as a point
of honor, are allowed to remain incog-
nito for the evening, the sources Of the
presents are well known, or else in the
the week, to inspect each family's gift
table. the identity is permitted to be
discovered.
Then, within a few days, a day is set
for return gifts, so that all obligations
may be squared. Those who received
and failed to remember the giver will
send something to even up.
OF C0nrRe fhAra nj n =