The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-12-15
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
At Smith, Murray & Co. s.
AN ARRAY OF ATTRACTIONS GREATER
THAN EVER.

Smith, Murray & Co.'s store ia the
mecca that attracts young, old and mid
die aged shoppers and sight seers. The
store Is Hterd ly jammed with people
from the time OF the opening to the
close. Everybody appears to know this
house had taken on it's holiday attire aid
old and young appear anxious to behold
the splendOrs of this fair land of attrac
ton. The window with its handsome
display of holiday handkerchiefs arrang-
ed in miniature representation Of Santa
Claus with kindly grey beard OF the old
man himself presiding at the window
draws crowd of delighted spectators.
Little tots are all alb )ut the place feast
ing their eyes on the nocturnal visitor,
watching his every move and have to be
dragged away by parents SO loath are
they to leave the scene. While this dis
play is interesting iT ia nothing to be
compsr red with the bewildering display
in Noah's Ark, the children's department
in the basement Of this store. The ar
rangement of the ark is even more extern
sive, attractive and beautiful this year
tban ever, dolls, gO-carts, full size and
made strong of fiae reed, steel wheels,
hard wood and handsomely upholstered
and vanished For the boys there is
fascinating, amusing and instructive line
engines, truck automobiles, steamboats,,
the useful we'll equipped tool chest with
It's augurs, brace, hatchets and clamps,
iron trains with tenders and passengers
coaches, mechanical horses and the very
latest automobiles, besides blSck-boards,
surprise boxes, hook and ladders and
drums, horns, concertinRs, cIariOnettes.
bugles, harmonious, puzzles, rocking
horses and games galore.
For the grown folks, sections of the
ark are equally interesting. New crea-
tions and designs abound in beautiful
Dresden clocks, fitted with American
works and highly Crnamented. There
is fine assortment of etchings, art en-
cravings, medalliOns and cOlored pic
lures. A complete line of Christmas
cards from the leading house of Raphael
Tuck 81 Son, the very latest in the pre-
vailing ebony makes now in vogue so
popular such as glove boxes, combs
brushes, ETC., in sets. The sterling silver
manicure and toilet sets this season are
even prettier than any previously intro
duced. There IL an extensive line of sill
yer knives and forks, spoons, ladies, etc.
here at prices within the reach of the
slim purse, land the banquet, reading and
table lamps were never more reasonable.
The most beautiful display OF Japanese
ware eyer seen under one roof is shown
in the Ark, there are large and small
highly ornamented vases in Japanese
work, also PLAQUES, sets, albums, combs,
and, in fact, everything that is found in
Japanse ware in a modern jewelry store.
In the opal ware is shown trays, toilet
bottles, vases, PLAQUES, puff and glove
boxes, pin and handkerchief boxes. In
the glass there are lemon ade and water
setsln baskets, all most suitable for a
holiday gift. In the German biCque are
every conceivable sora of ornaments for
clocks, fancy pieces and rare novelties
not TO be found elsewhere in Bridgeport.
An extensive line of jardeniers and UNI
brella stands suitable for holiday gifts
are here and they make useful presents.
For the smoker there is fine line OF
meerJhcaum and brier pipes which are
sold at low price, because they are
bought in large lots. For the housewife
this house have to show a fine line of
dinner, tea and chocolate sets. Some of
the cutest articles for the little girl seen
here are miniature bedroom and tea sets,
all made with q completeness equal to
the larger sized goods. If you have not
taken the little ones in to see this display
yet, do so now, when the assortment lie
complete. 1t is but short time to Christ
mas none too soon to make your selec
tiOns, and the wise buyer will purchase
now and avoid the crush of the holiday
week.
The Postoffice department of Nosh's
Ark has proved very popular with the
children, and scores of letters are daily
sent to the firm, telling what they desire
for Christmas. Each child will receive
a gift from the firm by mail. Most of
the letters are amusing and a few are
given below:
Bridgeport. December IL, 1899
My dear Santa Claus: write to ask you to
please send me a nice boat, the Maine, and
also rubber boots and drum and suit. so
hope you can spare 1t all for me, remain
yours truly, Master -.