Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-12-22
SOLID SILVER TOYS.
What the AstOr Baby VIII Play
With.
coRGEOus CHUIsTMAs PARTY.
IN. Tree VIII BE Illuminated with
Electric Lights. and All HIS WILL
tionaire Baby Friends VIII nc IL"
yited to Enjoy IL.
GORGEOUS CHHIsTMAs rA"ri
written for the Dispatch)

Santa Claus and Christmas, like the
blue sky and the sunshine, belong equaiiy
% the milllon-dollar baby and the poorest
little tenement-house waif.
To rich and poor Christmas tells the
same wonderful story Of the little babe
horn one starry winters night In the
naneer at Bethlehem. For each and all
the angels sang the glad, first Christmas
carol Of Peace on Earth, Goodwin to
Men"
And the wise men who came from the
East and brought gifts OF gold ana
precious stones taught the first grand les
son OF Christmas giving to every single
one Of US.
But there is no gainsaying but old
Santa Claus comes with an unequal
sleigh-load TO the palace OF the rich ana
the howell of the poor; and. in very truth
TO all OF the int rmedlate dwellings. for
| there are many little folks whom my
heart gives a great, big ache tor' VINO
won't find sing.e thing In their stock
ings Christmas morning. even II they
| are lucky enough to have stocklFs 10
hang up, and a fireplace at whlch 10
hang it,
And there are other little boys who
are going TO have entirely 100 niuch lol
| their good. But my story is about one
little boy and the wonderful Christmas
old Santa Claus has laid by for him. IL Is
every bit true, but | am sure that you
will feel when you have read II that IN
| old-tine fairy stories are no longer granu
enough. and there should be a brand-ne"
lot written TO fit the modern Inventions
| and discoveries.
This little boys name is William Vim
cent Astor, and he is the only child oil
one OF the richest men In the world one
reason for the unusual celebration TINS
wear is due TO the fact that the httit
chap has just passed four years anu
this is the first OF his four Chrstmase:
tha. he could really and truly appreciate
blessed old Santa Claus and MS WONDER
full gifts.
When William opens his big, broWf
eyes Christmas morning he will see mrs
OF all one OF his little white lamb s-woo
stockings hanging by the side OF tn
omen fire I'm the acknowledgements
nursery. The stocking will be even fat
ter than when filled by the baby's plum
little leg. The filing will be old-fash
toned. Just the same good things tina
Won and I and all the rest OF good littl
| girls anu uOgS nave lDhiiA
mas came 10 make this world DelIe
place in which to live.
In the toe of this particular stockin
there will be an orange golden yellow
big, round. rosy apple will come mex
and then nuts and candies OF every sol
and kind. The toys will not be In ev
, dence until after the christmas oreaA
fast then this little william will be pei
mitted a peep into a fairyland as beaut
f,l and wonderful as Aladdins lam
/ could bring forth in the dear old days
gsnn and magicians and elves.
| The father Of the little lad John Jaco
j Aston. is an electrician, way past N
amateur stage. and he had spent man
. busy days in his work-room deVislng On
wonders which are TO astonish his litt
son and all the little guests VINO nav
e been lucky enough to be hidden 70 u
: Aston Christmas-tree.
4, The grand saloon, in which the IA
holly-tree stands. Is one OF the mo-
e magnificent apartments in the world. ~
y sides the tin porcelain candles Of whi'