Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-03
beginning to firm and lasting friend
ship.
He DEALT IN TOYS.

he DEALT IN IO&o.
Major Ginter first opened a toy store
on lower Main street. An ilidminaiive
touch has been given TO his early stshS-
giles here by one OF his earliest cts
toners She writes:
In the early fall Of 1875 there was
on Main street, In the square below the
banks, a little shop with one short
counter, ard the rear half curtained on
for a Giving room" Above the dosr
was the sign. Lewis Ginter." and inside
the shop, on counter and shelves. were
toys--toys. pure and single, but toys Of
every kind and variety that childish
mind could dream OF or a childish heart
desire. But the children OF Richmond
were accustomed to buying their toys
where they bought their cakes and candy
and the grown-up folks were ac-
customed to buying theirs where they
bought their dry goods or their wooden
household So that few ventured
into this lonely, deserted-looking shop,
al the door of which was often seen
standing a pale, slim, onely-loOking
young man, who had come from nobody
knew where. There was many chidlsh
heart. however. that longed TO have
nearer view OF those wonderful toys,
and at last, one day In a group ot chill
drer. one who was bolder than the rest,
and whose heart pltled that disconsolate
figure in the doorway. prevailed upon her
nurse to go in with her and let her spend
her money there.
she was welcomed with enthusiasm,
and all the wonders or that wonderful
lttle place were piled upon the counter
for her inspection and entertainment.
although she carefully explained that
sne had only one silver half dollar TO
expend. There were boxes OF paste
board with glass In front, and bstind
the glass fairy-like dancer, bear.
plonkey, wonderful little old man or
woman. that jumped about and nodded
It's head aud w'nked It's eyes. etc, etc,
all OF which were set IN motion by
ha wing the boxes turned over sideways
a few times and then set down. and. lo.
one by one they were immediately per
forming the most wonderful antics, until
the little counter was liaed with them
and as they stopped they were each
started again, and soon that counter
was crowded with nurses and children.
There were. in the mean time, piled on
the counter seesaws that when started
seemed never to stop; miniature hand
organs that would make music as long
as little wire handle was turned
whole troops OF tin soldiers: big dolls
little dolls. and middle-sized dolls
wooden jointed dolls that could sit down,
or lie down. or stand up; dolls snugly
tucked away In cradles, that as long as
they were rocked would cry. and when
wonder after wonder had been displayed
there was laid in the arms OF the little
girl who had first ventured in a lovely
waxen DOLL with the loveliest blue eyes
and golden curls Of real hair, both al
! most matching her own. which likeness
| was called 10 her attention by the affa-
| bic salesman; but, above all, that doll
could shut and open her eyesl-the first
| OF its kind ever seen In Richmond. II
| Is needless TO say that that wonderful
doll went out of the shop in that little
girls arms, for when 1t was found that
her half dollar would not suffice for the
| purchase, her generous little brother
Jack, added his. and, / shrewdly suspect
| that the salesman donated all OF his
profits, or, perhaps, even more. l think
II is safe to say that not a cent was
carried out of that shop by either nurses
or children, for all went out with either
hands or arms full.
THE BEGINNING OF HIS SUCCESS.
At that day In Richmond the churches
each held fancy fair during the winter
| In the courtroom or the Ola City Hail.
and all OF the working members OF all
| Of the churches helped each other "a
hold their fairs. At these fairs Mrs
| Judge Clopton always kepA tho post.
.oilice,- and the fair for the Monumental
| church generally opened the season
| This was in active preparation at the
time of that memorable visit TO the toy.
| shop, and Mrs. Clopton, having her sym.
pafhies drawn upon by her little daugh.
ter's account Of the poor, friendless
young shopkeeper. determined TO have
a toy table at the fair in addition TO her
post-office. Her arrangements therefor
were soon made, for with her to re-
solve was to act, and during the fair
every day young Mr.. Ginter would bring
| his toys and arrange them most artistl-
| cally upon the beautifully-decoratet
table, all ready for the fair attendants
| each one ticketed at a price that woulC