The Press., 1899-12-21
CHRISTMAS.

MS ID DuSy OuSlung season OF Cno
year but the prevailing sentiment Is cheer
fullness and good will. Even those who
are working the hardest have smile and
pleasant word which shows that the spirit
of Christmas is in the air. The express
men and postal employees are busy
characters at present but they do not find
fault for they know that while they are
working like slaves the result of their
efforts will be so much happiness and
good cheer, all along the line that the
hard work seems light. But 1t is on the
faces Of the children that the undisguised
expectany Of Christmas appears. They
may be seen on the streets looking in at
the show windows and commenting on the
various articles in animated tones that
leaves no doubt as to their appreciation
Of the holiday season and what 1t brings.
1t Is source Of satisfaction that most of
the children Of this town will come incloser
contract with the articles displayed and
become the happy possessors Of the many
marvellous things that are now on exhibi-
tion. II there are children who must con-
fine themselves to street views of these
treasures and to whom Christmas brings
no message, their lot is hard indeed. Re-
turning prosperity portends good holiday
business. Especially Is this the case in
Stafford where the renewed activity In the
woolen business has started the factories
and frightened the outlook throughout
all the avenues of labor and trade. An
Other very hopeful sign is the renewed
interest and the marked increase, in at
tendance at the various Sunday schools.
1t Is barely possible that the custom of
having Christmas trees and making the
scholars Christmas gifts has something
to do with the increased attendance but
the teachers feel encouraged temporarily.
People do not need to leave town to buy
their Christmas goods this year. The
merchants have made special efforts to get
good lines of suitable goods and have
succeeded admirably. A brief mention of
what the dealers are showing follows:
A. W. WALKER.
These are busy days at Walkers big
dry goods store. His stock Is SO compre-
hensive that it Is not surprising that peo-
pie looking for useful or ornamental holi-
day goods are finding just what is wanted
in this store. On both floors there are
plenty Of things to interest shoppers.
His stock Of handkerchiefs Is on the first
floor and contains dozens and dozens Of
handkerchiefs, until person wonders
how 30 many kinds can be designed. One
show window is full of these dainty arti-
cles ranging in price from 8 cents to
$1.25. MIR. Walker has offered to- give
the $1.25 handkerchief to several ladies
II it could be picked out. but where there
is so much excellence 1t Is hard to tell
where the $1.25 variety differs from those
that sell for less money, and no one as
yet has pointed out the style that comes
so high. Mr.. Walker says that business
In staple goods Is unusually good, which
indicates that people in many instances
are giving useful articles the preference
this season. Dress patterns, jackets,
black and fancy skirts, fur collarettes and
scarfs may be classed as staple goods,
and there is a big sale on all these arti-
cles. In umbrellas there Is good one
that sells for SO cents, and he has nice
line of silk umbrellas that run up to 81. 25
and $5. A fur set for child makes a
pretty present and is proving popular.
In books he has all kinds from children's
to standard works By we'll known authors.
The prices on children's books run from
cents up. One Of the bargains in the
book line is "The House and Home," an
illustrated work in two volumes that sells
for 81 complete. City stores are adver-
tising the same work for S1.49. David
Harum and other popular books are in
the collection and the prices are low.
He has a good line Of Bibles and albums
of various styles and prices. Collar and
cuff boxes, new styles, made Of celiuloid
and other materials are In evidence
Three show cases on the second door ere