Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-17
XMAS TRADE is GOOD
our wELI-sTOCKED STORES ARE
THRONGED WITH BUYERS.
BRIGHT BROAD : STREET SCENES.
The Windows Filled with Pretty
IhiHgs and the Thorougbfarc
crowded With Pcoplc-Markets
Well Supplied.

Not the least Of the joys Of Christmas
time Is the joy OF giving. Good will
towards men" is the keynote of the fes-
uVal' and self-sacrifce is the natural
expression Of that good will.
SO IL Is that the retail stores glitter
IN their bravery; that immense stocks
of articles suitable for presents are laid
In by the merchants, and that the main
thoroughfares Of the city are crowded
from morning until night with busy
throngs Of people who are anxious TO
make glad the hearts OF those they love.
The show-windows are like colossal
kalsdoscopcs. and the endless process
sion Is great human pageant. "Velvet
ana rags, so the world ways" the old
familiar song says, and the philosopher
who wrote the words expressed only
what was true then, and is true for all
Time. All classes of society jostle along
side by side in that interested, eager
throng which daily crowds Broad street
II is a good-natured crowd, but no re-
specter of persons.
PEERLESS SHOPPING WEATHER.
It has been peerless shopping weather.
Not a cloud in the sky, and Just that
touch Of autumn in the air which make
the greatest laggard keep time with the
tripping feet of the eager ones
The merchants have every reason to be
pleased with the results Of their Christ
mas trade They have felt the results
Of the wave Of prosperity which has
swept over tho land. and the seasons
trade has been the best ever known.
This fact is not wholly due to the wave
Of progress. however Never before, per
haps has q more attractive display been
made by the merchants of this city. or
novelties there has been no end, and
the difficulty has always been TO select
the most desirable gift from such a
wealth OF attractive articles.
The flower stores are sight for the
gods. American Beauties, lilies of the
valley, and the modest violet are the
Christmas pOsies most sought after.
THE MARKETS WE'LL. SUPPLIED.
The market men were the busiest peo-
PIE in the city yesterday Already the
First, Second and Third markets are
scenes Of the greatest hustle and activity
II is true that just now is a little early
for buying Christmas eatables. But Pro-
fessOr Bennett PuTyear used TO say TO
his chemistry class at Richmond College
that men have 10 eat more in cold
weather than in warm. The demand
then, these days, is greater. and the
hucksters have this call on them to re-
sp0nd TO.
No fear need be entertained about
food famine in Richmond for this Christ
mas. 40 one has ever looked forward
90 starving" the old year out. Rich
mond has always been q well-fed place.
Not only will this year not DO an eXcep-
ton. but according 10 the hucksters.
themselves. every kind Of food which
comes to Richmond this season Of the
year is unusually plentiful.
THE BEST. AND PLENTY OF IT.
a Second Market man had some into
resting things 20 say about the market
when approached yesterday by a Dispatch
writer.
"The market IS we'll stocked with al
most everything this year." he said. THE
quality also is excellent. Turkeys and
an kinds of dressed and live fowl are in
greatest abundance. But one Of the best
things about it 20 MS is that nothing can
be regarded as cheap. Everything-ve
etables. fruits foWls-is in such demand
that while the people can get all they
want the market will not be over
flowed"
The reporter asked the huckster II the
people seemed 10 have any money
Plenty OF st." he said. land they are
willing TO spend it, too. We like that
We ask our prices and the great majority
Of the people give the price without a
question being asked. OF course" he
went on "this does not apply 10 all our
customers Some kckers' are among
them yet. Some Of them. if you gave
them all they wanted, would still want
You to send it homo for them"
The close Of this week will be busy
days The markets VIII keep open each
day til y o'clock, as usual but on Sat
urday VIII be open all day, until late in
the night The money that Will change
hands that day would make a few men
independently rich. while the food which
Will be sold will fiji a great many very
natural human wants