Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-19

"Dolls and playthings." says an ancient
historian, "are not peculiar to children's
tombs. II was customary for young ladies
to offer their dolls to Venus or Diana
on their wedding-day." Nowadays, young
ladies dress the dolls up finely and hang
them over the ofa-arm-suggestive me-
mentoes that childhoods days are not
so far gone
In neither way was this the end re-
served for Creperia's doll. She was DOOM
ed to share the sad fate of her young
mistress, and to be placed with her. which
is truly a very pathetic picture OK
girls life in the Rome Of the past.
This is not the emily romance I have
known Of a doll.
Once upon time q lady well-known as
a writer for chlldren's magazines told
me a little of her personal life that was
closely interviewer with the history OF
q doll.
This lady had an invalid mother and a
young brother to provide for, and the
brother to educate.
She was poor, but very proud. cousin
came from India, where he had gone TO
seek his fortune, and asked her to marry
him.
1 guess she believed in real old-fashion-
ed love, and did not feel 1t. AT any
rate, for that or some other reason, the
cousins offer was declined. He left again
for Europe, and it was near Christmas.
ION Christmas morning" she SAID, Il
opened my door. on the handle, tied by
a stout cord. hung a basket, and in II,
done I'D with an old silk bandana hand
kerchief. was this dolly" She showed
me the doll, and upon It was yet fastened
a tag, which read:
"please adopt me. I am lost doll.
And then keep me always by you; your
friend in woe as we'll as veal. My eyes
conceal a treasure faithful in times or
need. II you should die, leave me In your
will to your best friend"
THOUGHT 1T A JOKE
'For awhile" said the lady. I'VE con-
sidered Il a great joke, and then we heard
of my cousins death by shipwreck.
"After that, hard times came. l chung
to nv dolly. / loved her, although she
was getting old and shabby. l told her
all my griefs and woes, for mother died.
and brother was away One day. by an
accident. she fell, and her head was
broken. o, how / grieved over my DOH!
great, grown woman, as I was, and with
trembling hands, tried to patch up her
lovely eyes and flowing wig. Inside the
head was a mass OF cotton, which fell
apart and let out what / thought TO be
a lot OF pebbles; they were precious
stones. and in with them was my cousins
| deed of gift
Dolly's eyes were wonderful sapphires'
| and her brains were pearls ana dlamohos'
| NV cousins note explained that ne gaVe
me these gems in this way because ne
! knew would not receive them otnerwise'
'.I love dolls" she concluded, and al
wavs have, and always shall. DO you
wish to see my collecuonT
We'll. IL any Of my young friends had
| happened withis this lady's cosey parlor,
She would have thought 1t old Santas
| beadouarters-no lessl Dolls from all over
the world. sent by loving friends.
"I,ong live the dear little puppets that
keep the heart youngg
OF course. Santa Claus, does not give
| these kinds Of dolls; but there Is never,
! from the Patron Saint OF little girls. any
| Gift so welcome as a doll.
! Miss Ethel Goodloe. OF Oman. Is visiting
| her sister, Mrs. Myrtle Basil, OF Lewis
| burg w. Va.
MISS Helen Hays, Of Chestnut
| Ridge" will return from Washington
| next week
Miss Amy Shepherd, OF Fishersvilie..
| was the guest OF her cousin. Mr.. I. T..
| May, last week.
A Christmas-tree entertainment will be
given by the Alton Sunday school on
| Christmas-eve. The exercises will con-
| sist OF Reeitations. music, &c.
| Mrs. ]. s. Hays visited Oman Thursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. John @. SPOTS. OF Avon"
| are spending the holidays with Mrs. John
| Hart, OF Portsmouth. Va.
| Miss Sue ID. Womble is visiting her bro
ther. Mr.. Louis Womble, OF Richmond,
The public schools will give two weeks
vacation, commencing tomorrow.