The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-15
CROWDED BROAD STREET
The stor..Are FILLED WIN Crowds of req
pie who Are Doing Their christmas
shopping some Of the Scenes

Al this season Of the year WIN INC
Christmas holidays almost at hand bfo'u
street presents a scene rich III coio' ''''
animation. 1t Is IKE large cosinop'N-
tan channel through which the current Vi
restless humanity flow I'm neNeI-ci'N'"s
.tream. The main thorOughidre Ol thlS
city bcgius To take on an appearance oil
ME as early as 10 O'Clock IN the morn
ing. The eager crowd gradually increases
.ntil about O'Clock ia the Afternoon
when numerically II reaches IT'S h''s""
For an nour longer the same people
iostle each other as they hurry on '"ei
respective ways. then the hNins stem
begins gradually 10 disappear ana ny
O'ciOOk the street presents an "i''''''
deserted appearance.
There j. one exception. however. for on
christmas-eve's night the crowd, ia ac-
cordance with an annual custom pdIaues
the street until nearly midnight bio"lhs
I'm horns and illuminating the SKY Win
fireworks.
OK THE BROADWAY.
To anyone VINO cares 10 mlnble on 'Hc
Of the pleasant afternoons with those
who traverse Broad street. one very pc
culiar fact is evident. The crowd Is al
WAYS TO be found ON the South side or
the street. which is explained by reason
OF the fact that nearly all Of the largest
and most important stores are on TINS
side. Another peculiar fact Is mat the
stream OF humanity begins It's Westward
flow at Eighth street IN front OF Murphy
Hotel ana IT ends abruptly at the corner
Of Madison.
There is no gradual beginning and
diminishing. for within the confines OF
these two streets, on one pavement, thous-
ands OF people daily pass each other.
Tho crowd that is 10 bee seen any day
this week, is the great holiday crowd.
Old ana young, rich and poor. white ana
cOlorcd. tho great crowd goes mcrriiy on
its shopping tour.
The stores are taxed 10 their utmost
capacity TO accommodate the people who
thrOng them. Papas and mamas arc bus
iiy purchasing toys TOR the little ones.
while the children. with saucer-like eyes,
view the wealth OF pretty things ana
long for Christmas.
IN THE STORES.
The large dry goods emloriums have
his year great and diversified stock OF
holiday goods. II g. always question
with the purchaser OF "Nhat sigli
get?" There is erything that can possi-
big be desired. and The scale OF prices
easily places many pretty things within
the reach Of the nOt-ovcr-heavy pocket
book.
The toys, the toys. the beautiful toys
Of all kinds, sorts. c0iors, descriptions and
prices. Dolls. hoop. bells. hObby-horses
books. guns. pistols, swords knives and
a thousand other thing.' too numerous 20
mention line the shelves and cover the
counters.
Jus; CLAN into one Of the many candy
stores. To those who have % liking Tor
sweets there is nothing loft 10 De de-
sired. From the succulcnt peppermint
drop 10 the soft cream chocolate. there
are goodies and bon-hons Of an kinds
sufficient TO satisfy the appetite Of any
one and everyone who has a sweet tooth
The dealers are selling a very large
quantity Of candy this season.
The book and general novelty stores
like the rest. are h.led with am array OF
pretty things. The latest conceits in tie
way of Christmas presents are very beau
tiful, and are beng rapidly disposed Of
by the dealers
THE YOUNGER CROWD
The jewelry shops are mostly filed hy
the younger set. the unmarried set of
both sexes. who being on "the threshold
Of matrimony' want to send her or
him something very beautiful and at
the same time something of "a useful
nature. IlnESf Sciil pms ellNfl ihii'l
sets brooches and many other dainty
novelties are 10 he had this season.
As usual. the florists are busy taking
order for the flowers 10 be delivered Oh
Christina morning. Every day they re-
ceive a large number Of orders for yoicts.
roses, lilies Of the valley. and the many
other beautiful 1Cral tributes that make
pretty Christmas surroundings.
The various shop-windows on Broad
street are beautifully dressed. and pre-
sent degree Of artistic work and con-
ception that IS well worth "a few mo-
ments pause and examination. il Is need
less TO say that they are always sur
rounded boy eager crowds
When the merry. moving 49, OF hoh-
day-seeking pedestrians are greatest in
numbers one has 10 make his or her
way along with some degree of caution
1t is jostle and hurry. and hurry agd
iostle hut then everyone il in good
humor, for it is nearly time chat
Il heard him cXciaim.
Ere he drove out of sight.
Merry Christmas TO al