The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-12-27

CHRISTMAS TR4DE.-The last lew days
gave evidence that Notwithstanding the
cry OF hard times, few people were In.
clined to forego the holiday custom OF CIV
ing and receiving presents. For days be;
fore Christmas the streets were ,thronged
with crowds Of people visiting the stores,
selecting goods OF every description, from
the irail and tiny toy that brings delight
to the childish heart, up through the more
substantial goods which add comfort TO
pleasure, to the souvenirs OF gold and
precious stones, the ornaments which
those OF abundant means are wont to make
gifts OF. The rush continued up TO late
hour Tuesday night, making 1t evident to
even the casual observer that an en0r-
nous amount OF Christmas goods were be-
ing disposed OF. Yesterday this reporter
interviewed large number OF dealers In
toys dry goods merchants, book store
people and jewellers with view OF
ascertainiDg the status OF the pres
ent holiday season as compared with
last year. mall departments, business, so
far as quantity Is concerned, was reported
eminently satisfactory. The hard pan
prices OF all classes OF goods increased the
sales enormously. Added to this, the ex-
tensive competition in some branches,
particularly the toy trade, ran goods down
till the profit to the dealer was merely
nominal. II was harvest for the
children, since the indulgent parent, find
ing little money would so great ways,
bought without stint. Hence the sale OF
toys was simply enormous. All the
dealers informed us that their sales were
from two to three times that OF last year,
and yet the money value would but little
exceed that of last year, while the profits
would be nothingto Drag Oft. Thelatter cir
cumstance was owing to the fact that some
OF the dealers had considerable stock over
from last year which they sold for one
half their original cost; other dealers find
ing that an unusually heavy competition
must be encountered put the prices down
80 that on large proportion OF the goods
there was but the merest shade OF profit.
Among dry goods and fancy goods
merchants we found that the trade had
been very satisfactory. The sales were
very large in substantial goods, but not 50
extensive in costly fabrics as last and
preceding years. The trade, however
was more satisfactory, giving better ag'
gregate profit than last year.
The jewelry men we found smilingly
gracious; they had all done q much better
business than they had expected, realiz'
ing, as they did, that under the pressure
OF hard times their business would be the
most likely to feel the hand OF economy
They had, however, wisely provided stocks
that would meet the times, aclass OF goods
OF real substantial merit and that could be
sold at moderate prices. Their wisdom
was justified by the result, which was 6
large sale OF goods and more profitable
trade than last year. Even in the very
fine and costly articles, their trade was
better than they anticipated.
The most gratifying feature OF the pres
ent holiday business was the unusually
large proportion OF cash purchases, max
ing the profit, whatever there was, a solid
reality instead ola contingency to be al
iected by long credit or bad debts.
For the benefit of those who, through {
mistaken notion Of economy, failed to ad
vertise their wares, We may say that the
dealers who made liberal use of printers
ink sold by far the most goods Their owr
acknowledgement and the denuded condi
, ton OF their shelves, were convincing evi
dence OF the value OF liberal and judicioui
advertising.
On the whole the Christmas season o.
1878 seems to be the harbinger OF the sole
prosperity which has been so long bro
ken hope, but which, with the LIST day o
January, 1879, is expected, like the gov
eminent, to fully meet its promises.