The Newtown bee., 1904-12-16

The first glimpse of Read $ is one of
 pleasurable surprise. The ceilings are
 Lung with long sprays of the delicate
 graceful Southern Smilax xintermingled
 with pendant StreamerS of the beauti-
 full live oak moss. Ropes of electric lights are in festOons, arch after arch
 thickly studded with lights border the
 walls, while the whole decorative scheme of the establishment is in red and green, true Christmas cOlOrs. The hum of active business fills the place from top floor to the basement. Crowds
 of shoppers intent on both sightseeing
 and purchasing throng the aisles; there is chatter and gay laughter as
 different parties meet and greet each
 other. If you wish to see this great
 missing anything, take the elevator, go
 to the top floor and begin with the furniture. You will find one of the finest departments of the kind in New England. Art furniture, rare mahOg- any, oak, delicate birdSeye maple in palest cream color, and right here it
 struck the writer that bOudOir in birdSeye maple with hangiDgS of pale blue, or rose, and cream color would be an abode it for princess. The mission furniture is having it's day now, and it lS IldU1e UO Uc d 1OuS OHC lOl Uuc BULL i is so sensible and comfortable. Every one wishes to see the rooms fitted to represent the home. There are two,
 one library in oak and leather fur i nishings, the other dining room in
 mission style. Coming down to the
 third floor we find the pictures, and here again IS surprise for one sees
 many well-known and favorite sub- 1 jects, details from Raphael and Rubens, and productions of Jules Breton and
 Millet. The Persian and Turkish rugs i are here, too, and those who under stand and enjoy these works of art will find some unusually beautiful ones. Coming down to the first floor we pass 1 the department for interior decOra- 1 tfons, the tapestried hangings, rich fabrics, lace draperies, siIken Scarfs, l sofa cushions and leather table mats, all in the greatest prorusion. The main store is full of beautiful and en- l ticing articles for gifts. It is aston ishing to see the luxurious way in which fine leather is made up now-a-
 days. Such bags with magnificent fittings for women, furnishings for 1 writing desks, note and address books with the faint, sweet fragrance of Rus Sia leather, haSks, travelling cases and other necessities which fastidious men tAAN "OAACA eAPPA NNAAoC "ANl4 AAGIoO oA choice and rare materials. Furs, faces, gloves, silk petticoats, toilet tixinRs,
 calendars and jewelry all come in for their share of attention. Down stairs are the books, the china and the toys. If the store at large interests grown up people, what must toyland be for the children. Truly a bewildering
 and beguiling place. Is it a doll the tiny woman wants? Look at them, armies of them. Is she a little house. keeper? Look at the cooking range
 with it's perfect appointments, pans,
 kettles, coal bod and shovel. She can
 build a fire in it. The grate tips like
 a grown up stove, the oven is the same. Any doll may have her household re- quirementS, even to brass bedstead if she wishes. The s]eds, express wag- Ons and railroad trains draw regiments of small boys who stand transtixed
 with astonishment and happiness The toy shop of to-day is delight to
 old and young. The age of boy makes
 no difference in his enjoyment of
 railroad layout with it's lengths of
 track, tunnels, bridges, switches. sta tions and freight houses, and it is
 hard matter to leave such fascinating spot. One good thing about it every-
 body is welcome to come, to stay, ana look as long as ever they like. They