The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1900-01-11
HEROES SHAPED IN TOYS
The Recent War with Spain Is Now
Being Reproduced In This
Manner.


When Dewey, Shafter, Schley and
Sampson smashed the army and navy of
Spain they shaped half the toys of
America.
Much space in the stores is taken up
with miniature iDfantrymen, cavalry
men, gunners, cannon, generals, forts,
Red Cross hospitals, ambulance bearers,
battleships, cruisers, torpedo boats,
sailors and admirals. On the counter
Dewey is forever taking Manila, and
San Juan hill is perpetually in process
of capture.
In the toy shops of the city, at holi-
day time, the stroller with an observant
eye can find written the history of the
year that is past and the prophesies of
things to come. And never before have
the children's playthings reflected so
accurately as they do this year the
story of great deeds accomplished, or
told with such emphasis the trend of
American endeavor.
The spirit of worship of valorous bat
tie fields, has gripped the boys and
girls of the country. They still want
few dolls, building blocks, miniature
kitchen and steam engines, but most of
all they want rough riders and Olym-
pias. They want disappointing toys,
or toys that explain and illustrate the
work of grown-up people.
The parlor battle outfits are elab-
crate. A typical one has an advance
line of skirmishers, in extended or
der. Some are running; others are
lying down and firing. Behind them, at
double-quick, comes regiment after reg
iment of infantry, in khaki and blue,
with SLOUGH hats.
Behind the infantry on hill, are two
batteries of field artillery, and on the
TANKS are cavalry detachments. Each
figure is separate from the rest, SO that
every imaginable battle formation can
be arranged.
Opposed to the American army is the
Spanish force, intrenched on San Juan
hill, with so-ie of Alfonso's troops al
ready fleeing from the miniature block
houses.
The toys that are notifications of
those shown in previous years are more
elaborate in detail, more interesting
and complete than ever before.
The old reliable train of cars, for in
stance, now passes through tunnels,
over bridges, and stops at a station.
Along the track is a perfect telegraph
line.
The doll houses are marvels. One of
".
is lighted throughout with genuine cleo
tricity. Each apartment has its wee in
candescent lights. In the hallway there
is telephone, and upstairs the lady of
the house is preparing to step into
porcelain bath tub. The maid is dust
ing the parlor, and in the kitchen a
savory dinner is being prepared by the
chef and his assistant.
The educational toys are character
lied by permanence and practicability.
The cd style of paper-covered spelling
block has given way to new variety,
mado of cement-like composition that
will last.
There is a spelling tablet, made in the
style of Chinese counting device. The
letters-there being many of each-are
on disks that move in a groove, which
holds them fast, and which extends
around the outer rim of the tablet. Ex-
tending across the tablet is another
groove, into which are slipped the let
tiers needed in spelling the word de-
sired. When it is complete the letters
used in it are pushed back to the outer
groove, thus making way for others
Albany Argus.