The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1900-01-13
R SHAPED IN TOYS
The Recent War with Spain IL VIEW
Being Reproduced In This
Manner.

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 infantrymen, cavalry
men, gunners, cannon, generals, forts,
RedCross hospitals, ambulance bearers,
battleships. cruisers, torpedo boats,
sailors and admirals. On the counter
Dewey is forever taking Manila, and
San Juan hill is p%erpetually 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 chil6ren'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 a
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, IN regiment after reg
iment of infantry, in khaki and blue,
with SLOUGH hats.
Behind the infantry on a 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 some 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
them, a three-story affair of ten rooms,
&c Enh<oI {hronrhorf nth rorrra a1ao-
tricity. Each apartment has its wee in
candescent lights. In the hallway there
is a telephone, and upstairs the lady of
the house is preparing to step into a
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 p~ermanence and practicability.
The old style of paper-covered spelling
block has given way to a new variety,
made of a cement-like composition that
will last.
There is a spelling tablet, made in the
of a Chinese counting device. The
letters-there being many of each-are
disks that move in a groove, which
holds them fast, and which extends
around the outer rim of the tablet. Ex-
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.