The times., 1897-12-20
NOVELTIES In The SHOPS
Gifts for the Season Shown in
Gorgeeus Array.
wonders Gracing the Counters and
MuititudeS 10 Purchase Them
Many Spectacular Displays.

The holiday shopping season rs IN lh
earnest. The large stores of tie cit 'e@fll
with rhriSdmas life and hustle. The n Igic
word or the day is present and tie
puzzliug ques iun of the hour, what b Ill
/ buy for them air.
The great spirit of generosity stalks
abroad. and the community at large
well as the merchant in particular is
happy. THIS is eye-ybohy's season Jf The
year. and everyone seems cpgniZant OF The
fact but the merchant is the man oi ali
men VINO seems to Wear the broadeet and
most telling smile. 1t is the merciiAnt's
time of harvest, and it is he to whom
the shoppers flock and lay down their
shekeis.
The stocks OF most OF the stores "re
large. ard of better quality this gear
tltan Oh former occasions, ana tie eo'ds
have Lcen arranged aud classified 20
that any particular article may be eolnd
and bought with less time and perpieil4ty
than before.
Bat = gifts are the moss thought OF of
ala, and world of things are displayed
to delight the little ones. There are gag
babies, OF every kind and description
babies that never ret broke china Coils,
wool dolls, brownies aud pickanina.cS.
Then there are high chairs and baby walk
erS in the furniture department, and iJinIy
pink shoes in the shoe stores.
The L stores and departments say that
they are doing a larger business this
yeartll for many years past. The display
Is much better than the usual display and
the ~ nand seeTnSs to bc for toys of the
higher etluCa tional order such miniature
trolley cars, kicking COWS, barking dogs.
peacocRS that display gorgeous feathers.
aud games. The toys that are merely
window ornaments ami DO not do some
tnmg" 90 rot feem 80 attract The eyes OF
Young America.
The II ost successful game Of the season
has been tic klOndike game. of which
there ere more than cozen kinds spelled
In as n any different ways.
Each seas has its fad. aud { hc fay orite
gift this year sCVsns TO lie sterling silT er
novelties.
Among the presents bought by many
persons particularly, are what are called
''cunnine presents" by S3uie of = ner-
chants. Such presents constitute rocking
chairs. Giyans. books, and things that
might Ice used 10y the giHer and be as much
a present To tie Donor as to the receiver.
Many persons find especial pleasure
I'm giving presents to those in the hospitals,
and thus brighten i dull eye and fill 4
weary inCurahe with goodly share } -By
and happiness. Soueof the presents bought
for this purpose included books, illustfa-
tiuns auG cushions, WOODEN bedroom she's
writing desks and folius. sewing compa lions
and plants I'm jardmieres.
The musical novelty Of the season ia a
cane violin, which is displayed in one of
the music stores. Il is = somewhat unique
device, and can be used both as ca ne and
violin. Upon unscrewing the handle, the
cane separates, and on the inside IS the
finger hoard, tail piece and bridge. The
violin instead Of having a large iaeaI, is
tunad with pins similar 90 those used in
a piano. Under the fingerb1ard is a mol
low receptacle for the bow, and the handle
OF the cane serves as a chin rest.
All OF the large stores viii keep open
every night during the present Week until
Christmas, and ali are employing extra
saleswomeG Several Of the large stores
have 5,'fl employees working full time, and
the number is nearly reached by tTo ol
three other large stores