Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-13
GOLD AND NOVELTY.
THESE BE THE GODS OF THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY.
Some Reflections Regarding Elec-
trIciiy-DoliE-Thnf Hng Darling
Detty md Her Long scrvice-hfton
prcpnrations for Christmas.

Preparations for Christmas.
Correspondence Of the Dispatch)
ALTON. VA. December 1.-THE gods
OF tho nineteenth century are gold ana
novelty The gold is real; the old adage
that there's nothing new under the
sun" receives fresh oxemplhcation at
every turn. Persuade the world of to-
day that anything-no matter what's
truly novel, and 1t gains at once howl
ing success The difficulty IL to ind II.
This is the age OF imitation rather than
novelty-of Improvement rather than IN
venuon.
At a rustic club the other day, our
lltorau discussed new things" what
IS the newest Of all new things that have
helped mankindY was the question.
ELECTRICITY" said the telegraph opera
tor, naturally resolving his novelty upon
a gold basis Of so much per month. He
was voted down. Electricity IS as old as
the world. IT IS only that before this
age Il was never bri1led. nor performed
meaner duties than carrying thunder and
lightning 90 Jupiter or driving the sun
gods chariot. Udlity made the magic
bride. This was not 50 easy TO use, per-
haps, as when Minerva harnessed the
winged horse at the fountain OF Cor.nth,
but the bride fits sust as well.
We moderns have put TO common uses
the gods Of the ancicnts; still 1, for one,
must confess 20 q Htte feeling Of rural
20. a-fn cd
because he is invisible-probably because
he is incomprehensible. and doesn't
MUNICH ct tho hay-mOW Ike old Doboins
ana the "iron-gray."
Remembering how he was sired. his
pedigree. and brilliant career, that he
figured for ages in art and mythology
and was feared and wOrshipped, / am
tempted TO say Excuse me-" when l
mount ahoye-or belOw-this electric
Pegasus IN a street-car for a nickel a
trip down town. And 10 j. not IN just
accord with his ancient prerogatiyes that
I catch this willing mercury and fash q
message back to the old folks, that but
ter has gone up cents on a pound" or
that the apple market IS a glut."
4 wonderful step Il Is from the isolated
savage. wrapped ia superstition. 10 the
civilized man, throwing out connecting
lines between his own brain and the sky.
A little while. and the affairs OF the un-
known must all come down.
NOVELTY IL TOYS.
In nothing is there more novelty dis
played than in childrens toys, end yet
the toys that please children the most
are nearly as cid as humanity itself.
Egyptian scholars have revealed that in
the time Of Qesostris the children had
balls covered with leather, tiny crocodiles
that opened and shut the mouth; articu-
lated dolls and puppets, that were as
lively az Jumping Jacks" on pulling =
string. In the tombs OF the early Chris
tians there have been found tops. hoops.
petty earthenware dishes, etc, and an
ancient Greek invented a wooden dove
that rose IN the air.
No toy OF ancient or modern ingenuity
has supplanted the doll In the affections
OF little girls. IL IS one Of the most i'm
perious needs. and at the same time one
OF the most charming instincts Of
feminine childhood. As birds make nests
out II every thing, so n child makes a doll
out of anything which comes 10 hand
The first doll q country fodder loves
i9 born when the young corr buds upCn
the stalk. With the long silken floss
hanging Ike q fimy robe and III mantle
of calico scraps draped about It, have
seen the poorer children OF the cabins
just as happy playing mother as the
pctte4 heires5 Of a millionaire with the
handsOmest store doll.
Who does not remember the old rag
doll? This was the best beloved Of all
dolls because il was the first one made
by mother or nanny" and was ones
very own. I saw such a doll not long
since; and a food OF tender memories
came up as 1 recalled the battered speci-
men OF days gone by.
THAT RAG DARLING.
no beautiful doll Of Partisan excellence
could ever steal away the loyal heart OF
child from that "ras' darling / think
IL must have been one Of these dolls that
the little girl was thinking OF when
asked by q cross preacher: WHO made
your vile bOdyY'
The little thing replied in a SCARED
tone: "Ay mother maze my body, but
my sister made my skirt"
To care for q doll. 10 dress IL. 70 un-
dress it,; TO teach and scold and lull it to
sleep; TO imagine that fl is some one
therein les the WOman's whole future.
While dreaming and chatterng and
making tiny baby clothes, the Child grows
into a young girl, the young girl into
big girl. the big girl into q woman
Is 1t Victor Hugo who says The FIRST
child is continuation Of TIC last dOlp?
l remember reading once that a Boston
merchant, who had seen in London some
remarkable specimens OF carved wood
IN dolls, imported two OF these limitations
Of human life, and IN 1884 these were the
first dolls brought to America. Down
South" l was introduced 10 Betty" a
a rfI j. be Of rsrHr 1lH a
in the same Georgian household FOR that
many years.
Betty" was regarded with an affection
that bordered upon awe; what she was 10
hcr first owner she became to members
Of the fourth generation, who still de-
rived a peculiar satisfaction from tending
the ancient dame, albeit loaded, az are
other children, with dolls that sing, cry.
and close their eyes.
Betty" was rather the worse for wear
when / saw her, and her costume had
been somewhat modernizCd but traces Of
the Colonial days YET remained. Her nose
had suffered a compound fracture. and
her checks were somewhat speckled-due,
I suppose. TO her many attacks of measles
chicken-pOX. and the like.
Among those who have tenderly fondled
betty" are eminent c!ergymen. artists
writers, and noted women Of society
Many Of these have gone TO their long
home. Betty" with no soul to wear out
the body. retains perpetual youth.
PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS
pushing business our merchants are get
ting IN consigaments, and Mr. Santa Clau,
will doubtless come through ROckiish GAP
l9a4od fOI fun.
A very pleasant and select entertain
ment was given at Locust Dale Tues
day evening.
DR.. Percy Parish. OF Covington, who
has been III, Is rapidly improving at Hotel
Alton.
Miss Ijlv StoN r. OF Staunton. Is visiting