The evening times., 1899-12-11
READY FOR CHRISTMAS
Splendid Display by Storekeepers
for the Approaching Holidays.
SANTA Claus Has Ample Opportunity
to Select Presents of All Varieties
Young Americas Warlike Spirit
Provided for-Toys of All Kinds.

Just two weeks from this morning
Christmas Day will be ushered in with all
the pomp of mysterious stuffed stockings.
the blare of tin trumpets and the roll if
toy drums. Therefore II is both interesting
and timely to note that that venerable
philanthropist, Hon. Santa Claus, has al
ready appeared upon the scene and thus
early are locked closets piled with
strange bundles in thousands of
homes. For many years the holi-
day trade has been confined to the great
week preceding the great day. and that the
patron saint of nurseries should anticipate
three weeks ahead of time has caused some
comment. The adult conspirators claim
that this is due 10 prosperity and the pres
ence OF some holiday funds: while the
youngsters are too 5usily ena.gsd in an
ticipation to express any opA.aii on the
matter.
At all events the early = ffGaS trade in
jumping-jacks, stuffed rabbits, Noah's
arks, and woolly dogs has been extremely
heavy and it is expected that this will less
en- the usual jam at the last moment All
last week thousands of bundles were care
fully sneaked home by the wary pater and
mater and hidden away from the icono-
elastic eye of the present younger genera
ton. For years no attempt at running the
nursery blockade was generally made until
few days before Christmas, when closely
following upon the heels of pay day.
the smiling army OF shoppers would make
sudden and decisive charge upon The
stores and begin fierce engagement which
lasted until midnight on Christmas eve.
Already the general holiday aspect has
taken possession OF the show windows and
oYershadowed all else. Pine tree and tin
sci. tableau and toy have replaced the
staples of other seasons and crowded them
out. But one feature is lacking in full
strength. There is wondrous scarcity
of the Christmas card. Once an all-impor-
tant figure at this time the colored and
embossed tokens of remembrance have
seemingly passed into disuse and only some
few specimens seen in bookstore windows
remain to mark an ancient and kindly ia
vor.
The Spanish war has done much TO shape
the toys which will delight the true be-
levers in Kris Kringle on Christmas morn
ing. About half the space in every toy de-
partment is devoted TO miniature armies
and navies which perform all manner of
wonderful evolutions. Real steel Olym-
pias and Brooklyns wage an endless war
fare with Spanish fleets, and whole army
corps march and countermarch along
shelves and up the counters. Anything
from a troop of Rough Riders to a COM
pany of Spanish infantry may be obtained.
Admirals, generals, bluejackets and SOL
diers are all on equal footing, save that the
officers are allowed more gaudy paint.
Dewey and Schley may be found anywhere
and at any price, while any craft from a
battleship TO torpedo boat can be carried
home without trouble. San Juan Hill, in
a half dozen sizes, my be captured for a
few dollars, while Santiago is made TO sur
render to either a company or an army
corps, according TO the extent OF the pock-
etbook.
Then there are Dewey and Schley dolls
in great profusion. Aguinaldo can be found
in many avocations, from pushing an au-
tomato wagon to shooting pennies into a
bank. Even a mule. which can be made
to bray suspiciously like the famed martyr
of Matanzas, is on exhibition.
All kinds of artillery, from the 13-inch
rifle to the disappearing gun, may be
found for sale. Then there are toy rifles
and swords, with complete full dress or
khaki uniforms for young men with mill
tary aspirations. So too are there Red
Cross hospitals and toy ambulances and
thousand and one other things TO delight
Young America.
The present outlook indicates a great
holiday season and it is probable that few
if any youngsters will be forgotten by
Santa Claus. Ii may be that he is making
his rounds here now, SO as to arrive in Ma
Mia in time for Christmas, but however
this may be. he mas already cared for
quite a number of homes in the District.
In order that no matter may go asuay
during the holiday rush, the PostofTce De-
partment has issued a few rules with
should be carefully observed and followed.
The rules are follows:
First-Valuable packages, either of
books or merchandise, should be regis
tered.
Second-Eyery package should be plain
ly addressed, and should bear the name
and address of the sender, in the upper
left-hand corner of the superscription face
of the wrapper, unless the sender has
some reason for not wishing to have his
name appear.
Third-The package should be securely
put up. If it contains fragile articles,
they should be packed with raw cotton
or some substance that will protect them
from damage. Photographs or other pic
lures. or articles of paper or cardboard,
should be protected by thin wooden
boards.
Fourth-Postage should be prepaid in
full cent an ounce for merchandise and
! cent for every two ounces for books or
other matter wholly in print-each class
of matter to be so put up to be easily
examined at the postoffice, if that should
be deemed necessary. In addition to the
postage the registry fee should be pre-
pads cents.
Fifth-Matter should be mailed as soon
as possible, otherwise there may be de-
lay in its despatch, owing to the large
accumulation at the postoffice in the three
four days prior to Christmas or New
Year Day.
Sixtt-If it is not convenient to bring
matter to the main office, it may be reg
istered or mailed at any of the branch Of
fees or at the numerous postal substa-
tions throughout the city.
Injured in a Runaway.