The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1890-12-05
CHRISTMAS IS APPROACHING.
The Shops Are Full of Holiday
Goods,
Toys and Trinkets. and Moro Practical
Things for Christmas Prcsents-Some-
thing Everywhere and Something
FOR Observation-Disclosures is Lively and
the Merchants Are Jolly.

tho Merchants Are Jolly.
Christmas is upon the lips and in the
minds of all. The streets aro thronged
from early morning until late at night
with goodnaturcd, pleased and chccry
throng, the arms cf AL enclosing bun
dies OF every sort and description.
Without doubt moro money is spent
ut this season Of the year than any
other, and the merchants OF Roanoke
arc feeling the impetus given trade by
the purchase OF holiday goods.
While toys and trinl1cts hold their
place well as Christmas offerings, the
taste of the people is gradually chang
ing. and the presents each year are be-
coming more practical.
A walk among the stores Of the city
yesterday disclosed the fact that the
tide Of trade is now nearly 40 its full,
and the wise merchant, who has taken
in full stock Of novelties, useful and
ornamental, and who had tho fore
thought to extensively advertise the
same, is now reaping his reward
The ono thing surprising to tho new
conner is the comparative lacl; OF toy
displays, such MS are SO marked a
feature OF the time OF year in oldcrco,n-
munirics. While these things are kept
in stock by many merchants. they do
not heap them up before thcir doors or
advertise them Ia the exclusion OF
everything else
The grocery stores have on exhibition
everything in tho Shape Of Injuries
Canui"s and nuts are tcmptin:gly dis
played in lavish rrofusion, while the
concomltant parts q PICS and buildings.
CAKES AND cJoKics oblrudc themselves on
ones notice at every h"nG. Citrcn.
sp.c ., golden oranges ana lemons,
gt..les, ana othcr similar delicaCic5 arS
10 b. seen rs window ornaments or in
box ana barrel inside and outside OF
joi3. Tho grcc-rs report business rs
very good, with every prospect OF being
enormous as the holidays grow nearer.
-'cX5 To the srocors, the jewellers are
making the ~, Attest preparations Here
novelty and ornament 20 hand in hand.
and iio VINO dcvisps some quaint cOuccit
in earring, locllet. bracelet, or such is
bound To be muniiicicntly rewarded
as tho purchaser makes his rounds to
seek y present for his lady fair, his
mother, or his friend
l., is singular fact the jcwclry buy
ing. or rather the bulk Of it. at this
season is con lined almost exclusively to
two classes, the young man i'll love and
the sLaid old business man, whose
Christmas gifts are tokens OF esteem
and articles OF value. The lover buys
for his sweetheart, and his fancy runs
largely TO rings or earrings.
The mother OF tho young man will for
tn" next three weeks study the adycr-
Using columns Of the live newspaper for
presents of utility whose prices will
enable her To cXpend her money 50 as
to convey a pleasure 30 Il large number.
She will buy collars and cuffs, hand
kerchicfs, and ties for her boys, and for
her girls, gloves and lingerie, so dear TO
the maiden.
The young ladies themselves will
haunt the book STORE. the drug store
(Which has in recent years become Il
new source OF Christmas present supplv.)
or even the Shoe storc for the wonderful
slipper OF green With 4 yellow elephant
worked on it, which is so often nailed to
the wall Of the young mans room as a
convenient catch all. if not thing of
beauty.
At the drug stores may be found the
wonderful recent productions in cut
glass and stamped leather, the banker
chief case and glove box, the cologne
bottle and dresser bottles, and such like
things.
Evcn the prosaic furniture establish
ments put on the habilimcnts of Joy
and from the tiny willow rocker to the
stately bookcase IS 20 be seen 81 tempting
array suited to all conditions of the
house.
The millinery and dry goods estab-
lishinents have an cspt cial attraction for
the feminine mind just now. There the
Accommodations of namelcss and familiar
things bewildcr the long purse and the
short ono alike. the first from which to
buy, and the latter from how to buy.
The willy merchant will now com
mence TO spread the worth Of his wares
before the public through the paper.
and the eager pu bic. always interested
in how TO place its money to the best
advantage will now look more alton
lively than ever Tor bargains and attrac-
lions.
Wise is he who reduces shopping" to
a minimum by extolling his wares to
the people, telling them what he has
for their inspection and purchase, by
means OF advertising, ut this, the hap
piest time of the year.
Little Lord FauntIcroy."
Little Lord Fauntlcroy'' was pre-