Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-12-20
CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
What the Journals Holiday Ad-
vertisers are Doing.
A Reporter Visits their Stores and
is More than Surprised.
Despite The Cry u Hard Timss Wstss Sssest
Suggests eairisal.

These are the days Of rspturoas delight
10 the children and Of mad struggle 70 the
parents, Of crowded stores and lively trade.
Of zrtis,ieally araped windows, brilliantly
tide rush and hustle.
There have been rumors freely circulated
tia. Hard Times had dropped into town and
that this holiday season was 10 be one Of
deadly quiet and dnllnsss. A few fright
sned merchants even went 20 far ~ not TO
pu; In special stocks. and General Gloom
seemed shout to descend upon Augusta.
Time has shown the pessimists TO be wrong
in their predictions, a, least this is the con-
elu.ion tina, reporter came to, after max
ing calls upon the JoUKsAl's many adver-
Users, But, perhaps this Judgment should
be limited. for 1t must be acknowledged
that these advertisers are the leaders in
their lines.
The reporter must acknowledge that be
vas more than surprised. Despite the dys-
peptic and gloomy forbotings and the fool
ish wiseseres' threats of ruin 70 follow upon
any especial endeavor, Augusta merchants
have once more proved tina. their town 10
the banner one in the State.
Serene in the consciousness that the Cap
itsl city has had good year the live and
enterprising business men have made every
preparation for a large Christmas trade.
With the result that Water street, particu-
larly at night time. suggests ones chilli
hood dreams Of Fairyland.
Aswas natural, the reporter. when start
ing gu, on his tour among the stores, to
write up their beauties aud charms, went
Arst TO
c.k. Partrides's.
for there are bat few men in town who
can dispute Mr.. Partridge's claim to lead
Judging by the handsome stock he has dis
PLAYED. Tempus fugitted but the reporter
remained. He found IL hard to tear him
self away from the enhancing display. Mr..
Partridge Is fortunate in combining flower
department with his apothecary and fancy
goods business. for it has enabled him to
make his store a veritable bower Of beauty. |
II 10 hard to conceive of person with tastes
% queer ~ not TO be able TO make q selec- |
ton from this stock.
chas. II. Mason
vas the next merchant called upon. II is |
Away. pleasure to visit his store, justly |
held TO be- one Of the handsomest in its line |
in New England. but, especially, at a hoIi- |
day season Mr.. Nason's large stock of
mems clothing and furnishing goods is dis |
play ed to the utmost advantage and his win |
dows are triumph of mind over matter for |
despite the apparently difficult character Of
the stock for Christmas decoration an Artistic |
success has been achieved
Fowler & HsmIens
stores were crowded when the reporter
made his way, passed counter after counter
piled high y ltl goods of every description
in the dry and fancy COOL, line, suitable for
presents. It is said that a womans judg
ment il never AT fault when purchasing.
Perhaps this may account for the rush OF
the ladies' to these stores. But the report
IRIS private opinion is. that they are drawn
there b, the firms judieious advertising and
the admirable display. notably in the win
dows, though il cannot be disputed
that the prices have good deal to do with
It.
e. w. Church's
finely stocked Opera house block grocery
store sent the reporter into dreamy state
Of delicious r,vei in the pleasures of autici-
patton in regard to the Christmas dinner.
now fast becoming the banner meal of the
year Mr. Church il also a genius at max
ing artistic displays with inartistic materials
and his show windows receive much praise.
Mrs. Y. =. Tibbeus
gave the reporter that cordial greeting,
which. combined with her large stock Of
good and far prices, have made
her store so popular vita the wowen. She
showed the newspaper man through her
charmingly pretty store, by shelves anu
tables piled high with all sorts and condi-
tons Of goods. ranging from bonnet to
dainty tea cup, through all manner OF
changes. along the room to dainty coffee
table where the privilege of a customer was
accorded the reporter and he was given
hot cup of delicious coffee.
Lehman & SpauIdisg
have assured US. through the JorRSAL, that
Santa Claus left his stock with them
this wear. The reporter was inclined
to believe thi. story, as ne examined
the varied stock. so admirably dis
PLAYED of this hustling firm. There
vas rush asd hustle going on that
showed to ALI that Lehman Spauiding
were doing big business, and no wonder
when their stock and prices are taken INTO
consideration Judging by all signs, mus
store. which has been only short time IN
the present hands, has rapidly become one
Of the most popular places in town.
Bowoitch. Webster & Co.
i, firm name that suggests to the MIMI
physicians prescriptions carefully com
pounded" but at this season, a, any rate.
also stands for the name of firm "hieii
hs. made foe display of novelties for the
Christmas trade.
with large display of silverware, has one
Of the handsomest stocks displayed IN to~n'
His competent corps of experts WAS ousil.
al work engraving silversare and regul't-
ing watches that had been purchased as
presents when the reporter entered tue
store to examine ard remained to admire
The Huntington Clothing Cos
large window is center usually, OF al
mirers. Itis hard TO tell which ATTRACTS
them the most. the notable display, OF
the low price. marked upon the large STOCK
of mems clothing aud furnishing gpois OF
every description.
4 J. Pierce's
standard crockery store was another center
for trade Il was notable for striking
and brilliant display of croekery' gsss,
china and lamps. particularly lamps ana OF
low prices. 10 one window stood the pre-
test lamp aud most artisiicslly gorgeous
shade that the reporter had seen. ms
lamp was good indicator of the nature
and character of the stock displayed whhih
the store
Mrs. G. C. teighton's
store WAS. indeed, calculated TO make osa
King Cole, as well as sny purchaser smii1
with pleasure and content. A Soinsn $ tss.e
10 holiday decorations is always g'oa anu
Mrs. Leighto7s store ia q striking pr OF OF
the truth of this sphoiism.
Geo. o. Raskelrs
large double grocery store on the East of'.'
Was one OF the busiest places visited, q
Glance at the stock displayed expis'heo,
this. Persons in search of = resiiS soou
Christmas dinner evi,eutlv felt t's'
they could 10 no better. If a. we'll, ei.e-
. T.. - ~1ara T.