Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-06
NEW FADS FOR XMAS.
MANY NOVELTIES WILL BE DIS
PLAYED HERE THIS YEAR.
MERCHANTS GETTING IN THEIR STOCKS
Doth the Mig stores and the Freight
Dcpots Begin TO Present Busy
scencs-siIyer VIII lie Popular
Useful Articles In Favor.


side. The freight depots Of the various
railroad systems that run into this city
are being crowded to such an extent that
a peep through the great doors displays
to the eye Of the average layman what
seems 10 be an utterly hopeless con-
glomeration Of packing cases OF every
size and shape, and the windows OF the
retail merchants show palpable signs Of
Christmas dressing"
1t is the general belief among the mer-
chants that the volume of trade during
the holiday season this year will eclipse
all previous records, and, inbucd with
that idea, their purchases Of Christmas
stock have been conducted on an unusu-
ally large scale. 1t viii be season OF
novelties and low prices, and the COM
petition viii be very keen.
The celluloid manufacturers have come
forward with a number Of new things,
but it IS the belief OF many merchants
that the features OF this years sale will
be the sterling silver knickknacks. The
prices on articles made Of the white metal
are lower than ever before. as an in
stance OF which It may be cited that the
writer was shown a pretty, two-blade
silver knife. which will be sold for p
cents. and handsome washington,
which formerly cost S. Will be sold now
for one third Of that price.
The toy departments viii be splendi1ly
stocked this year. as they were last, and
there viii be Microscopes and X-ray
cameras, together with host Of entirely
Il .HaNHN s.s
the little ones
PENCHANT FOR USEFUL THINGS.
In the opinion Of prominent merchant,
the toy trade will become a less ana less
conspicuous feature each succeeding
season. il "a the general disposition on
the part Of the public, he seems TO think,
TO purchase presents that will be more
useful, instructive and edifying. Color
Ia lent 10 his belief by the fact that never
before have the book publishers offered
such a wealth OF beautiful works-in
many cases superDly illustrated, and in
variabiy beautifully bound-at such low
figures, and so well adapted to attract the
eye and iii the mind Of Young
America"
All the stores present n very busy APP
pearance. and the dressers and stock
clerks have their hands full.
As far as could be ascertained. II 81 eX-
pectod that al the stocks viii be COM
plete. and everything will be in readiness
uhls week for the inauguration of the
merchants campaign against the pocket
books OF the defenceless ones, and that
IL will be prosecuted with all their char
acterlstic yigor and intrepIdlty goes with
out saying.
WINDOW SURPRISES IN STORE.
There are a number OF window surprises
f,. no a.
street. What they Will be could not be
learned, but some strange devices are
under contemplation, and VIII serve 10
arrest the feet Of the curious waylarer
and put stumblng-block In front Of the
blase individuals who viii have 10 walk
round the congregation Of curiosity
mongers If they wish to continue upon
their weary way.
dn dress. those physicians or taste
who have their fingers on the pulse or
feminine caprice are Of the opinion that
furs will once more be all the rage. and
I'm order 10 keep pace with the desire or
the age for realism there VIII be all
sorts of quaint little animals whose furry
coats have melted their destruction. so
carefully prepared that they viii appear
instinct with life a. they surround
the neck and wrists Of the gentle ones
who would shrink in horror from them
could they but wink an eye.
THINGS THAT ARE DAINTY.
II would be altogether impossible to
enumerate the immense number OF dainty
articles that a cursory glance at the
immense stocks Of goods slowed away
In the storerOOms and displayed
upon the counters OF the large retail
houses has revealed. Every fad has been
literally traded upon, and designs in oil
sorts OF material will be thrust forward
10 arrest the eye Of the victims OF any
monomania. In this connection, the
apostles Of the wheel will be afforded
ample opportunity to propagate the fever
By means Of match-boXes, which can be
opened only by so many and such reyo-
mticns Of tho tired wheels There Will
also be found all manner OF dainty de-
vices 20 be carried or worn as the
'cyclist skids through the air.
The professions have not been neglected,
and one OF the most unique articles 10 be
found I'm the stores Is a physicians cane,
which contains hidden away In its in
nermost recesses. q pen, a pencil, and
bottle Of ink, so that the medicine man"
may never be at a loss for the ma
terlals TO write prescriptions so long as
he shall find the poor unfortunate who
needs his counsel.
And so on. down the long list. which
seems endless. In a few short hours
everything will be prepared, and It viii
only be necessary 10 utter the show
mans traditional cry: walk upl Walk
~! Be I'm timel BE In time"