The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-23
XVI '' 'l7yySV2sQ) H.
Toys for the ChQdrss--McrA, ussfy
Presents for AduVs-A ZINE
supply of Holiday Goods.

:.
Despite the inclemency OF the weather
there has been large number OF Christ
mas shoppers on the streets during the
week.
Passing up Main street one Is jostled
right and left by bundlc-laden pedestrians
the most Of whom are ladies'. Some OK
them appear quite good natured over the
III weather. while others seem disposed
to critIcise the weather man. Yet they
piod along from store 10 store buying here
and there the different articles which will
gladden. the hearts OF the little ones at
home on Christmas morning.
On going into the stores busy sights are
buying this, that aud the other thing. The
cry cash boy,'' is heard In all directions
and those peripatetic youngsters rush
hlther ard ihither in n vain effort TO be in
half dozen places at the same time.
In other places the more modern cash
rain system Is used. and instead OF the
cash boy" calls one hears an almost
steady wbirring sound caused by the little
cash boxes as they fly aloag the wires
from different parts OF the store to the
cashiers desk.
A great many articles are bought with
Instructions that they be wrapped for
mailing, or to be sent by express as the
case may be. Some have folks back home"
10 be remembered, while other young folks
have Intimate frienas. relatives and
swcethearts living In distant portions OF
the country for whom they are buying
presents. This practice Of aandng away
Christmas gifts IL very popular among all
classes, and these are times when the
dinerent express companies aud the post
offices all over the country DO vcrtable
boxes.
But right here in connection with the
use OF the mails for the sending OF Christ
mas rreseEts, postmaster Smith desires
the statement made that packages left on
a NATL box are not considered as mailed.
IL TOO large to go into letter bJx they
must be taken to the postofflce In order 10
insure their reaching their aestlna, ion.
The nostoiflre department Is not respon-
sible for any mail left on top OF mall
boxes.
Some very handsome window displays
are seen around town. For rich effects IN
show windows tho Main street jewelers. are
entitled 10 the palm Some Imagine il 10
display In jewelers. window on the
contrary 1t requires not only an artistic
taste, but an experienced eye to got the
best effects In displaying rich jewery and
precious stones, such as one Will see In
the windows OF nearly every jewels OH
Main street.
The dry goods stores have some beauti-
fully decorated windows. One Arm has a
window FUN Of fne dolls very tasiefully
arranged which has attracted crowds II
people daily
There are also several elaborate toy dis
plays. thousands OF toys Of every con
ceivable variety being shown aud 1t Is
astonishing TO see the vast number Of
toys that are being sold. One lady bought
yesterday fifteen different toys at au aggrc-
gate cost OF over So She was young and
handsome and Post man standing uear
made y mental calculation that according
to the number OF toy6 puroh lBcd she nUst
be the mother Of seven or eight children,
yet her youthful appearance almost pre-
cluded that possibility. lie worried over
the question until in ft Of desperation
he asked the lady how many little hearts
fha intended TO gladden. with all those
toys.
swertly
Several OF che drug stores are well
stocked With handsome toilet articles such
as manicure sets, fancy collar, cum, hand
kerchief and glove boxes and periphery
sets. all of whlch make presents that aro
both Useful and ornamental.
Aany useful articles ara to be fopnd An
tho hardware stores and they all seem
70 be enjoying good Christmas trade.
Iss old saying that "A knife eats friend
snip was cont mRtuonsly ignored yes
terdsy By one lady who bought, among
otn'r things five jaokknivea, being one
Tor each male member OF her family.
Half this world does not know how tho
other half lives" ~ a familiar quotation
.pat is peing eSempliiled on the streets Of
houston and, 10 lact. all cities. every day.
ana these Illustrations are especially vivid
ouring the holiday season. Among the gay
tnrong OF shoppers yesterday WAS seen a
poor mother carrying an infant child.
while Two other little children clung TO
her ragged skirt
Their little faces were wan and pinchea
and they shivered with the cold. but they
uuuged along with their mother. looking
Wis;tuily In at the many nice things dis.
played In the different windows, forming
pathetic contrast to the warmly clad
buyers OF Christmas gifts,
Wnoiesaie commission men yesterday Ind
no trouble In getting $40 n dozen for ,u,,
key hens Gobblers are from s15 IN coo
dozen, according to size and condition Tba
prices are about double those nr,yo,,,ns,
last year. Scarcity of supplies. dno mar
tiaiiy to the bad roads, ~prh nreys,t
farmers reaching market. is one of the
causes for the high prices. Va Tue
Eggs are also high being up to 81 cents
IN case lots. which is higher than the rr,ce
either IN New York. Kansas City, ST Louis
year ago. n'sher 'nan
4 Liberal SUGGESTION