Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-12-13
PORTALS NEW YORK LETTER.

Special Correspondence OF Gazette and journal.
New York, Dec. 7.-Beth came over
to do her Christmas shopping, and as
VIC sat in the Palm room OF the Waldorf
Astoria for a late luncheon, We listened
with interest to the hustle Of life about
us and to the conversation which took
place at the next table between two
women, evidently Christmas shoppers.
but ones who did not count their
pennies as both Beth and did. We
had spent the morning looking in the |
shops, for Beth Is one of that numerous |
kind Of women who seldom know what |
they want andfind the task of making |
up their mind, the most serious one in |
life.
Womenlike, we noticed first, the
gowns. these daughters Of Eve at the
next table had on. One, evidently in
from Hampstead OF some country home,
had on a short suit of the popular
Oxford gray cloth. The skirt came to
her ankles and the jacket was made on
the Elton style, tight-buttoned, the
reyers being OF the plaid lining. When
she threw aside her coat she had on
shirt waist Of gray French flannel,
finely tucked and stitched with black.
With this she wore an irreproachably
tied cravat of purple, with white dots,
and one Of the low turnover collars now
in vogue. Her hat was Of light gray
felt, stitched, the gray speckled breast
on IL caught with severe brass
buckle. The costume was severity and
good taete to the letter. The other, a
New York girl, evidently, had on a
long gown of bright blue brohdcloth.
deliberately braided with black and
gold; the Jacket was thrown back to
show a waistcoat of white broadcloth
with bass buttons. About her neck was
a piece of sable fur, and her large fiat
toaue was of the same fur, turned up
on one side with large bunch of
holly, giving a truly Christmas air to
the costume. By the by, this wearing
OF holly and red berries Of all kinds
with fur and winter costumes is the
dernier cri.
Ibid you buy that horseshoe clothes
brush rack?"
1t Is one Of the popular presents for
men this year. The horseshoe is made
OF nickel and supports o hat brush OF
riiable black pigskin; you know the
popular leather this year is rigskin in
dark and light tan.
no" answered the one in gray,
al am going to give Harold the latest
thing out for men. 1t IL a golf trunk.
The one / bought this morning is 81
inches lorg, made Of sole leathee. Ter
inches high, and 80 inches long, anG
II inches wide. 1t is stunning affail
and allows ample space for the sticks,
with a groove for each particular one
and has q place for golf suit and
silk hat.
A long.felt want, amounting to 9
necessity which has never been befor,
satisfactorily filed, is the tie-holder
and / know many man who will re
ceiye one this Christmas. The tie
holder is made in hard wood. will
initials of German silver. On eithe
side,of the holder are 25 eyelets O
brass, between which the ties are in
serted and held In shape. allowing
selection at glance, without disturb
ing the other ties in the least.
An article much in vogue this seaso
for gifts are toilet and table articles i
beaten silver and French gray. 1t rival
the rose gold for softness Of finish
The plates for bon-bcns and bowls fc
lump sugar are exquisite 10 design
and tea oaddies, which are one of th
incest gifts possible, come in beautifl
so much Of this delightful beverag,
say there lie nothing like silver to 7,
tain the aroma of tea.
OF all the useful things in librar,
shears and paper cutters take the fir
place, and desk accessories in re
leather are quite the thing this winte
sofa pillows are delightful gift, bot
for men and women, and there are
many exquisite novelties this year thi
surely every taste can be suitet
Leather watch chains, which are d
oidedly the au fait sort for the uI-t
date man, are shown in exquisite d
signs and are very reasonable.
But the best gifts of all, no matt
IL they be Of the most expensive sor
must have with them that spirit
christmas, and, above all, as Be
interrupted me to say, "they must su
the perso, to whom they are given. !"
So many persons thoughtlessly buy
lot Of things and Unfortunately sci
them about. Don't buy those sily
curling tongs because they are !;
tractiye, and give them to old Nd
Hair.Restorer, when you know s
wears false front. Don't give a Gig
holder to the man who only cares fol
pipe or pearl-handled opera gil
holder to your blind friend; wits
flask to your white ribbon friend, o.
prayer-book to one Of lngersoll's
lowers. Use some thought about yc
gifts. Gifts so often now bring to {
only more trouble. ! am perfectly s,
that had lived in the days whe
fairy or an angel came about offer
to grant wishes, / should have b.
apt to have said you can just pi
up that precious bag of tricks of 20
and get outside with it; want moth
in your line. / remember the pudd
you sent down on the old lady's U
just because she wanted the puddi
and remember the shabby trick
played of on Midas because he ca
for gold and you thought them fun
didn't you. / have read my fairy
and don't want any of y
blessings"
/ laughed at Beth's vehemel
"You are right, Beth, il is very O
apt to be so that the gifts we have
slowed upon us give US great dea
trouble. Think of the bridal pre-
sin My Ladyship's Elephant
quently the things we wish for 1
brings us the least satisfaction.
long and long for thing and pia
an imaginary Santa Claus, and v
we get 1t it is not what We war
all. I doubt whether even Cindere
buck was as satisfying as we are
b believe. After the carpetless kit,
and the black beetles. the palace ]
have seemed delightful for the first
months, or, maybap for year.
the Prince, how loving and gallant
tender he was, mayhap, for lon
months. And after? Well, you