Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1897-12-22
TOYS FOR CHILDREN.
Soldiers from khartounn, England,
Spain, Germany and
Cuba.

AS early as last June the toy manufae-
turers began to get out their designs for
Christmas soldiers. The Spanish and
Cuban armies were already in the field,
and their glowing uniforms had been
painted as models for the trade. Then
came the threatened Japan-Hawaii trOu-
BILE, and new legions were added to the
stock. Later the war in India broke out,
and it became necessary to prepare Eng
ish artillery to fight the Indian troops;
then, when the Gordon Highlanders held
the passes and were moved down by the
native cavalry, a fresh set of designs
were prepared, and more soldiers turned
out.
1t is truly remarkable how many guns
and warriors now stand in the shop WIN
doWs, pleading to be taken into your
home. The boy who signs for cannon
and fort can ask Santa Claus fox them
West Point soldiers have also been made
in great numbers, and they can be seen
firing big guns from the Palisades and
along the Hudson.
In great pasteboard boxes there lie
troops of artillery all mounted on horses.
ready to be set up in battle array. TLey
are made of lead and are heavy enough
to hold their own against attask. Seen
cry also comes for them, and you can
buy boxes Of green trees, lead rocks and
very fair sized paper mountains and
clouds. These the boy stands up. In
front of them, going at breakneck pace,
he stands the artillery. Facing them he
places the opposing forces He can get
the British troops facing the Indians at
khyber Pass. He can exactly initiate
the pass with his leaden scenery, and by
using a little artistic taste he can get up
a battle as fine as any bird seye view of
a battlefield.
Now comes the action Little toy can
non cOme-the like of which were never
seen in the days when big folks were
little-for storming the forts. These toy
cannon are made in tin and iron. The
cannon, which is Of tia, is mounted on
an iron standard, and 1t is heavy enough
to "kick'' well. The cannon is discharged
by pulling a little wire loop which pulls
leased sends the cannon-ball into the
ranks. The ball consists Of a roll of pa
per, very round and hard and, if the boy
is a true warrior, chewed into a compact
mass. This is stuffed into the end of the
cannon and fired at the troops. The rea
armies in reckless profusion, and the vie
torious army is the one that stands thu
longest under TIE rapid fire.
The fashion in Christmas toys is also
| for animals. These come in endless va
riety and geological profusion. Many o.
them emit the familiar sound, ane
squeak, bark, meaow and cry according
| to their natural won't
While there are some very expensive
toys in the toy shops, the general trent
is toward the cheaper article. 1t ha
been noticed, however, that even TIL
cheap toys are very dura BILE, and the littl
carts with wabbly wheels, and the to.
dogs with uncertain tails, are replaced
by stout little carts and true animals tina
| hold their own well. Tow manufacturer
say that great advances have been mad
in toy machinery, and as fine an articl
is row turned out for 10 cents as used t
be sold for so cents.
Santa Claus has packed his knapsacl
with many interesting things, and tn
Christmas stocking will be running owe
with toys, the like of which in interes
and variety have never been equaled.
Harvey Lincoln.