The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-02
DPENNEN 8 co. Department Stores.

again started forward, and 1t rushes through another loop the loop and rolls away in safety on level ground.
 The roly-poly is another amusing toy This is a clown or other individual who can't be turned over. He wobbles from side to side in a ludcrous manner, a weight in the bottom of his balloon-like body keeping him on his feet, as 1t | were.
 The automatic bucklng broncho and the contrary hog. which is being ridden by a professor. Is also interesting. The broncho is hitched to cart and kicks up his heels, running forward and back ward. The hog starts forward, turns around and runs backward, and then keeps up a constant whirl in his att tempts to throw his metallic rider.
 The Waltzine Doll.
 The waltzing doll is attracting much in- terest. This beautifully attired maiden | is placed on the floor, and by releasing spring begins gracefully gliding over the floor, turning at regular intervals with all the smoothness and accuracy of d we'll trained dancer
 Speaking of dolls, the Gretchen doll is the latest importation from the fath- erland This German maid has two plaits of hair hanging down her back and is attired in German costume throughout. The doll, however. which has caught the eyes of all little girls is what is known as "the lady doll. This lady has long black eye-lashes and closes and open her eyes according to position. The hair is so arranged that it can be changed or "done up" accord ing to the fancy of the girlish owner. These dolls are so popular that the little girls handle them constantly. notwth- standing the big placards forbdding 1t. and numerous soiled dresses indicate the loving touches of little maidens.
 Most Dolls Come From Germany.
 It might be interesting right here to say that there are only three doll makers in the United States, 90 per cent of our dolls coming from Germany. The American dolls are much more substan- tial, however, and cannot be easily broken. The doll-makers referred to do not include the numerous makers of rag dolls. There are hundreds of those in this country. Nearly all of the toys are made In Germany. The steam toys are, as rule, made in America, and are much better than the German make, though all of the clever mechanical de- vices are manufactured In Germany and shipped direct to the retailer from that country, orders being given through the New York agencies.
 An entirely new toy this season is the Chimes of Trinity This toy is shaped like pipe organ, and by pressing but tons the various tones and effects of the chimes can be brought out. Another new musical toy is the brass-piped xylophone. This Is miniature of those instruments used principally in vaude- vile. and the notes are produced by striking the pipes with a little wooden ball on the end of a slender rod.
 An amusing toy. which was one of the last inspected, was a slack wire-walSing clown. This acrobat is placed on wire and walks hand over hand from one end to the other Sometimes he purposely misses with one hand, but catches with the other, and never falls.
 Aside from the steam toys. the me chanical mirth-producers are very much cheaper this year than last. Scientific toys can be bought from 40 cents up, and there is a large variety from which Santa Claus can make selection.