The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-12-16
WHAT. NO nEADEN ROUGH RIDERS.
Failure of Germany to Foresee the Thing in
Demand by Boys for Christmas.

Failure of Germany to Foresee the Thing in
Demand by Boys for Christmas.
Lead soldiers are always In fashion but this
season all the Juvenile ~belliRerence left over
from the war crystallizes into a universal de-
mand for toy soldiers. Mechanical toys lie on
the shelves and gather dust. skates and sleds
are a drug on the market, games are ignored,
unless they have something to do with Santi-
ago or Manila. But lead soldiers depart from
the shelves ut double quick. and the proprietors
Of toy shops are lamenting because they didn't
lay in a larger stock OF gallant warriors.
There will be a howl OF disappointment on
Christmas morning and young America will
abuse poor old Santa Claus or luckless parents.
but the real indicators are the German max
ers OF lead soldiers. Business proceeds slow
~ and ponderously In Germany. and even IL the
manufacturers OF lead soldiers had realized last
summer that this winter all the small boys in
America would be crying for rough. riders.and
Roosevelt. it Is doubtful whether they would
have met the demand. There are n few Gu
bans among the leaden hosts. and Spanish
and American forces galore. but that doesn't
satisfy the boys. Unluckily. to1 the crack
United states that have heretofore
represented America among lead soldiers
failed to create a demand for themselves in
the Cuban war among boys. SO those on hand
are not ayailahie, and the boys will be in a
bad way this Christmas.
.Nine-tenths of the fathers and mothers who
visit the toy shops and do not want dolls, ask
where they will find the lead soldiers, and,
when they reach the military department., re-
mark cheerily TO tho salesman that they want
to buy n box of rough riders.
Very sorry, but We haven't any"
No rough riders." incredu!ou5ly.
Not one" regretfuily.
Why don't you have them?" angrily.
They. haven't been manufactured yet"
aDologetically.
"Oh. what will Bobbie sayP' apprehensively.
uThen the salesman EXPLAINS that the
Christmas stock OF soldiers.was Although be-
fore the war. and that. with characteristic
German promptitude. the manufacturers will
probably flood the market with rough riders
next June. when military enthusiasm has
somewhat subsidized in the hearts of small
boys, The fond parent turns away. with a de-
Iected air, and spends money recKlessly on
mechanical tram cars and steam engines
in u vain hone OF propitiuting Robbie.
some American genius. with an eye for
golden opportunity, has tried to satisfy the
demand by paper rough rideIs, very artistic
TROOPERS. with q dozen Sallant ROoseyelts t.
lead them on. The twelve officers are all
very good portraits Of the Governor elect. and
the troops present an Imposing and swash-
buckler appearance. but they won't satisfy
Bobbie. for. as ono small boy carefully eX-
planned to his mother:
There's. no fun plunking peas or shot at
paper soldiers. They Just bend CIR double up
when they're hit. When you're having a
hot fight, you want a fellow to go down kerchug
If he's hit. It's a beastly shame there aren't
any lead rough riders"
W could have sold n ton OF them il we had
them." said the salesman. sadly.