Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-04

hour earlier than IS their usual custom,
in order that the few hours that yet In
tervene before the eventful day may pass
in the forgetfulness of sleep. Tucked
away in their beds, they dream OF the
morrow, while visions of sugar plums
dance in their heads" or else they toss
about, vainly striving to WOO that sweet
sleep which refuses to close the wakeful
eyes, so full is their brain Of the joys in
store for them.
Yes, Christmas means much to innocent
childhood and as long as the day is
fraught with such JOY to those young
folks then happy, indeed, are they, for
when the glad season loses its charm to
lem, then have they passed the last
milestone which separates them from that
period Of life when all is JOY, and care
is a thing unknown. Let them enjoy the
Christmas-tide, with all it's innocent plea
sures, as best they may, and let the eX-
cuse that Christmas comes but once
year" answer for any petty fault which
may be found with them on this day. for
there never was more truthful saying,
and moreover. though the anniversary
may come TO them for many, many years.
yet only the first few Of these happy oc-
casloW that mark their early life will
bring 70 them that genuine delight which,
once lost, never returns again.
THE CHRISTMAS KING.
With the children the King Of Christ
mas is Santa Claus, and no ruler of any
land, however powerful he may be, num-
bers more subjects than does this merry
Jolly elf. His vast dominion covers more
territory than does that of the most
potent monarch Of the land! His is reign
Of peace, and TO his throne come no
,--1sl n % FlE a
State perplex his mind, and never
thought of fear enters the head Of that
merry old soul because he wears crown.
He reigns eupreme in the hearts OF p
millions of loyal subjects. and needs n
standing army or powerful navy TO insure
peace over his realm. How many a ruler
Of to-day might well envy this mighty
monarch! Throughout the year he Otis In
state in his royal court In Greenland,
happy and content. and on the eve OF
Christmas he lays aside his pipe, orders
his attendants 10 harness up those won
derful reindeer, and then, wrapping his
furs about him, he seats himself in his
coach, cracks his whip, and TO tho merry
tinkle Of sleigh-bells is of 70 visit the
millions of homes throughout the Chris
tian land. What wonderful undertaking
1t is-thls great journey-but 10 a king
and whose subjects have ever been loyal,
is there, after all. anything so very
strange about It?
What would Christmas be without the
visit of this hoary old fellow, whose eye
wrinkles as merrily now as II did when.
years and years ago, he made his first
journey? What child can even imagine
the anniversary TO which he looks for
ward with such eager anticipation each
year. without the presence Of the genial
saint, who leaves behind him so generous
ly Of his pack? It's a wonderful pack.
that is, and surely must have been made
for the old elf by some mighty wizard.
Within it are TO be found the treasures
which will make glad the hearts of his
young friends the world over. From out
Of the great workshop which Santa Claus
has at his command come toys Of every
description imaginable, from the wax doll
TO please the little tot OF TO the big
drum that is 20 be claimed by the 7-year-
Old hopeful, and they all find their way
into the pack, which the old follow
shoulders when he starts out from his
Greenland home on the eve Of Christmas.
ONE EFFECT OF THE WAR.
The effect of the Spanish-American war
upon the juvenile world is shown in the
toys which will this Christmas be left
on their hearthstones The late unplea-
santness has inspired I'm the masculine
members of that little world a spirit OF
patriotism and many a battle of the re-
cent war will be fought over again this
winter on the floor of the nursery. Nina
ture battleships, bearing the names OF
the Olympia. New York, Texas, and
others equally as well known. will be
placed in line Of battle. and their youth
full commanders will with many a show
OF daring. initiate the brave deeds OF
Dewey, Schley, Hobson. and others OF
"our heroes" Formidable-looking wood
| en- forts will be built on the floor to de-
fend our shores from the attack Of the
| enemy Within these structures will be
placed cannon. made Of wood, 1t Is true
but nevertheless an excellent imitation,
in miniature, of the great guns which
| guard our coast. Swords, guns. bayonets
| knapsacks. soldier caps and suits will al
be used by young America this winter "a
keep fresh In his mind the glorious deeds
| achieved by the arms Of his country in
the war with Spain. There will also be
many books In which he viii see the pic
| lures OF the great American battIeships
| and the likenesses OF their famous com
| manders.
SIGNS OF CHRISTMAS.
There are already many signs OF the
near approach OF Christmas. Some OF
| the shop windows on Broad street art
already in their holiday attire, and by the
| first Of next week nearly all Of them will
! have their Christmas goods on exhibition
From now on the throng on Richmond's
| great retail thoroughfare will daily in
! crease until the eve OF Christmas. wher
| there always gathers on Broad street q
greater crowd than Is seen there on any
| other day in the year.
Yes. the anniversary Is surely fast ap-
! preaching. and many a housewife has al
ready commenced her preparations fol
| the festival. She knows better than does
any other member OF the family how
much has to be done before everything
| Is In readiness for the Christmas week
| The children may become impatient be-
! fore the long-looked-for day Is at hand
| but to her the time will pcss all too quick
| Iy. Il. BRUCE CHESTERMAN, Jr.