The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-11
GOOD WILL TOWARDMEN
THE MERRY YULE TIDE or JOY
md PEACE rs APPROACHING,
And Richmond is Putting on Her Holiday
Attire-Scenes in the Shopping Dis
tricts as Christmas Draws Nigh.

Two weeks-then Christmas The crowds
that surge on Broad street every day
tel that there is no need for a calendar.
The merry Yule tide is fast approach
ius with attendant joys, pleasures and
delights. Happy indeed is he who can
roam about the shopping district Of Rich
moud with a well filled purse.
Broad street as a Christmas day ap-
proaches presents a scene that is never
equalled in Richmond 1t is an interest
tng panorama. and to one who leads a
fifo at office, home and church. it proves
T. be "A revelation. To the merchant,
Banker, clerk. Who Xix days in every week
ROards a Main-street car and goes to his
bfiice, while on Sunday he spends his
time I'm church or at the home circle, the
crowds on Broad street every afternoon
make a profound impression and remind
him Of the fact that outside Of his own
little world there are thousands who live,
are happy and know him not.
- one sees on RichmOnd's Broadway many
beautiful women, whose names never APP
4pcar ia sOcietys reports. There are many
tWhO pass and repass, and tell by their
bright eyes and crimson flush on cheek
&hat genuine happiness is their lot. There
fare others who seem to say by their eX-
8pressiOns that Christmas tide is a time
tOr them to do nice calculations; that they
4haye only a certain sum, many presents
It, make. and TO carry out their plans
~means continual shopping. and constant
search for bargains. To others the holy
natal day comes with peculiar force, for
80 is q day Of reunion, when loved ones
viii gather about the festive board and
renew those loving ties so sweet to all.
Yesterday afternoon the crowd on
Broad street was tremendous, it extend
ing from Ninth street TO the Temple
Each block was filled with a surging mass
Of happy humanity that picked it way
through it's own masses and filled the
many spacious establishments. At the
largest stores hundreds crowded within
and each counter possessed its crowd, or
bevy of fair buyers.
There were not a few men, also, who
pucked up enough courage to so and
make purchases at the dry goods empo-
fiums, and they did very well for anna
tours. Men, as a rule, are not in the
habit OF being waited on by young ladies,
and when some pretty salesgirl APP
proaches man and says in her most
inviting way: Anybody -waiting-on-you?'
there is liable TO be confusion.
Then, II the man hasn't got wel-defned
ideas as to what he does want he is
worthy OF sympathy. Two TO one he
started in the store to buy wOrk-bOX
or pOcket-bOok and ends by using half
OF his weeks salary in the purchase OF
a French-plate mirror with silver hlligree
work about It,
The salesgirl IS entirely responsible.
She knew for what he wanted the pur-
chase, and with love for her own sex
governed herself accordingly
The majority Of men have not yet be-
gun their purchases. consequently the
shopping is done by the ladies. All Of the
places are, therefore, invaded from morn |
E night, but the majority Of the crowd |
eOws from the side streets in the after |
boon eddies about the corners, finally |
gels into the maelstrom, and, like wave |
undulating. II sweeps first one place and |
then another
The rich, the poor; the middle class"
TIE upper class; the residents OF the |
Suburbs and members Of the smart set;
te lowly labOrer and the millionaire
all were together in the tidal wave OF I
humanity and upon their minds was
craven deeply the one word-Christmas.
The shop windows. with their many
lamps. attracted the thousands, and AT
several places the crowd completely took
up the sidewalk and made locomouon
difficult. not to say impossible. The deco
rauOns Of many Of the windows are
worthy Of more than a passing glance.
Window dressing has for many years
been looked upon as an art, and the very
acme Of taste is displayed behind some
Of the large windows Of Broad street.
A. one store the window has been d.
Wded into sections, and in each is an
assortment temptingy pretty. Dolls,
building blocks rattles. picture books
tel the passers-by what 10 give the chill
cfen Cut-glass powder boxes. with re-
pousse silver tops, silver-mounted look
Ing glasses, silver pin trays, soap boxes,
manicure pieces. brushes. combs, per-
iumery bottles, glove stretchers and curl
ing tongs, the latter by far too pretty
% be blackened in the gas are 70 be
found IN rich profusion. and give a hint
a. 70 what could be given a young lady.
Fretty chinaware bisque statuettes
Piano lamps, pictures in artistic confu-
hon' appeals 20 one as suitable presents
tor the home circle. and thousands Of