The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1882-12-21
A Before Christmas Story.

weil-todO farmer, and his place shows evidences
of energy, thrift and good management. At lcas
once year he visits the Savings Bank and has al
interview with cashier Quimby the result of which
is addition to the store laid by for rainy day
There is nothing misery about our friend S. how
eyer. He is simply prudent. He provides literally
for his family in alt respects. There are two chill
dren, boy of twelve and girl of ten and which i:
the mothers pride and which the fathers iot itwoud
be difficult to decide. 1t is safe to say that all theiI
reasonable wants are supplied, and that few chill
dren in Waldo county have more books or better
advantages than they Mrs 5. is capital house
keeper and thrifty woman. The profits of the
poultry ward ana the dairy are in her keeping and
when she goes Into the city on shopping expcdi-
ton she does not have to ask Mr.. S. for money
Usually they visit Belfast together when the holi
day goods are advertised, not simply t. buy Christ
mas gifts, but to take advantage of the full stocks
then offered TO make purchases for the household.
This year they brought the children with them. The
Santa Claus myth, as all know, is now completely
exploded. You cannot make an intelligent child
believe that Santa Claus comes down one of our
modern chimneys with pack on his back, or that
he could crawl through a stove pipe and come out
of the door of a red hot coal stove! Modern heat
ing apparatus has killed Santa Claus-ani a good
many others. And so the children nova days not
only know who their Christmas gifts come FROM
but often have something to 10 with selecting them
On Thursday morning of last week Mr.. S pun an
extra seat in his pung, harnessed mp his horse aud
well wrapped up the family set forth for the city
Thertirst stopping place at the corner of Main,
and Church streets. Mr.. $ visited the Journal office
and paid years subscription i'll advance, as is his
custom Then he stepped into
C.. W. HANEY'S,
where he found a fine assortment Of furnishing
goods and ready made clothing. 1t did not take him
long to select neat and serviceable suit of clothes
and pair of warm driving gloves for himself, and
then he was ready to join Mrs. s ana the children
ut the
LADIES EXCHANGE.
Mrs ;. had not been idle meanW While She had
been upstairs and down, had inspected carpets,
rugs Blankets and the tempting variety of dry ana
fancy goods heaped upon the counters and display
ed upon the shelves. The total Of her purchases
would have made most men grumble; but new
carpet for the sitting-room, handsome rug for the
parlor, pair of blankets at St--a real bargain
and some smaller articles were paid for without a
nurmur, and the lighter articles slowed in the
pung. The handsome new store of
7. W. PITCHER y 60.
next attracted the attention of the shoppers and on
entering they found the interior even more attract
i've than the exterior. They were loud in their
praise Of the handsome fittings, Of the large and
elegant stock of goods, and of the courtesy shown
them. Mr. 5 cOntented himself with looking about
while Mrs. ). examined the fine stock Of silks and
dress goods, the table linen, and the general assert
ment of fancy and staple articles. She had intend
ell TO look about before making her purchases, but
before She left the store black silk dress pattern
for herself worsted jacket and hood for her
daughter, with a number of smaller articles, had
been bought and paid for. Mean lille the children
were inspecting the many useful and pretty things
to be found at
J. :. CALDWELL 4 co.'s.
Both are fond of reading and never before had
they seen SO many beautiful juvenile looks. such
hindingS,--uch profuse and costly Illustrations
and 50 cheap Here were all the old favorites ami
the new ones; standard books in sets, with fine
bindings; books of poetry-all the best collections
Wedding Day Books and Birthday Books. ongfel-
low and Emerson calendars, the Golden Floral
books great variety Of photograph albums, ara
Of Christmas cards, with an assortment Of toys for
the little ones The children loft goodly portion
of their pocket money here. On leaving Pitchers
Mrs. 5. Mad gone into
b. +. WELLS,
where the children Joined her. While they were
inspecting the dozens upon dozens of dolls. ; me
IN very primitive and others in elaborate toilets,
and ;he great array of holiday toys, and making
purchases for their Christmas tree to which heil.
ncghborS We're invited, Mrs. ;. was reNeliug III I'M
millinery department, attractive to all her sex.
lp in hot nr
how feathers, flowers and pumcs can 50 captiyate
the genter sex, the lords of creation fail t. compre-
hcnd But, nevertheless, Mrs. 5. had long inter
view with Mrs. Wells, which was highly satsfaeto.
ny t. both parties and the children were 50 utter.
estcd in inspecting and selecting toys that the time
passed quickly to them Mr.. was all this time i'll
HIRAM CHASE & SONS
where he found much to interest him. He made Il
thorough inspection of the many rare and attrac-
tive articles to be found in this long established
and reliable house, and then bought Waltham
watch for his boy, an organette for his daughter,
and a cuckoo clock for his wife, and Went out with
the intention of calling again to make some further
purchases The family met in
JOHN CARRIES
where all We're alike pleased at the tempting ais-
play OF china, glass, plated and other ware. The
manner in which the goods were arranged, SO that
everything can be easily examined, was voted to
be decided Improvement, and Mr.. Carrie was
greatly compiimentcd on the hne appearance Of
his store Nothing could be prettier than the new
style dinner and tea sets, while the Old patterns
were IN stock for those who preferred them. Mrs.
;. had intended to make but few purchases in this
line, her china closet being very well supplied but
one thing after another attracted her, So that quite
bill was soon run up. But she said us she went
out that she couldn't have done wen in Boston
and that is the truth Mr.. S had noticed the adj
NerlSeEent Of
DWIGHT p. PALMER
in the journal, and said he must 20 and have Il
look at the new store and new goods; and thther
the party wended their way Here they found a
choice selection of standard books, scrap books,
easels work baskets (NIrs. S. bought one per
fumes and many other useful and ornamental arti-
rlcs. They then visited
\. Z. MANSFIELD's
next door, where Mrs. 5. saw Il good deal to at
tract her. and she found il impossible TO resist
opening her purse when examining the handsome
handkerchefs, in silk and other aerial, the lace
goods, towels, etc. Mr.. s looked on good natured.
ly except when he heard tides mentioned, when he
almost frowned But believe Mrs. s.. purchases
included al least one tidy; and she was almost
tempted to buy another black silk dress pattern
from those submitted for her inspection OF course
IT, L. MCDONALD,
who adverises ''unparaed bargains in Christmas
goods could not be passed by, and the watches,
the silver ware the JeWelry of all kinds was look
ed over and priced and some excellent bargains
made; but if all the purchases were enumerated it
would be thought that the Simpkin's were mil
fonaires in disguise instead of plain Waldo coun-
tv people out for holiday shopping Where should
the party go on leaving Masonic Temple but di-
rectly across the street to
GEO. W. hi RkETT'S.
They had been reading for weeks of the prepare
tons making to accommodate his increasing mum
Der of customers; of the two stores made into one,
so spacious, elllighted and in every way atrac-
tive. Although all the departments were open for
business and doing a rushing business, too they
found the work of transformation still going on,
and the establishment not complete in its fittings
and adornments Mr.. Burkett's patrons will ind
it to-day. Mr.. S. glad to find here an old
acquaintance, Llewellyn sleeper, Ga decided &C
QUESTION to the force of capable assstants) and
under his guidance went on a tour of inspection
while Mrs. 5. was doing her shopping Woman's
shopping, like woman's work, is never done, and
Mrs 5. left here gOodly share of her poultry and
dairy money. She felt, however, that she had got
the full value of her money, and Mr.. S. put her
numerous bundles into the pung which he had
driven to the door. The children now asked to go
to
WIN. o. POOR & SONS
to see the singing birds and cages and their parents
accompanied them. They found well appointed
place; tastefully fitted up, neatly kept, and fully
supplied with all the articles usually in stock in
such establishments. The holiday goods, which
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