The Washington times., 1904-12-25
WALTER B. WILLIAMS
Veteran Auctioneer Speaks of the
Days When Washington Had
Only One Toy Shop.

Christmas in Washington tflfrty-fve
years ago was far different from
what it is today and especially for the
children said Walter B. Williams. one
OF Washington's Oldest business men.
He has watched the growth and develop
rnent OF the Nations Capital for up
ward of a half century.
..Thirty-hve years ago there was only
one toy shop in the whole city. Chris.
Rupert's. on Seventh Street The Won
derfuI meehs nical toys which please the
boys and girls now were not to be found
and they had tc content themselves
with simpler things In those DAYS the
National Republican" was published in
a building on the site now occupied by
The Washington Times William J.
Murtaugh was the editor. The statue
of Benjamin Franklin, which stands II,
the triangular space made by the in
tersection of Pennsylvania Avenue,
Tenth Street and d Street, was still
rough piece of stone, though Jouvenai,
in whose shop the statue was afterward
made. had his stone yard next to the
National Republican
'It was the Christmas of II that an
incident happened which, though the
boys. have always remembered because
all envious and ofhcious persons. young
or old One of my rIends had a son
aged eight years. The youngster took a
sudden fancy that he could not live un-
less he possessed q drum major stick
He badgered his mother from morning
TO night No other Christmas present
would suit. His mother was at her wits
end TO know how to get him the longed-
for baton. It was impossible to buy
such a thing in Washington, yet she
knew that If Jack did not get the drum
major stick he would be as disappoint-
ed as only a child can be over such
things, so she consulted Jacks aunt and
the two put their heads together TO find
some way out of the difficulty.
LAS a result of this conspiracy a fine
drum-major's stick was manufactured
out Of an old broomstick. a bah. and
some silk ribbons. When Jack found
Christmas morning he was the most
pleased small boy in the neighborhood.
Coin out he announced as soon
as he laid hands on the prize.
. My son., said his father, YOU must
be here for l o'clock dinner Remember
that if you cannot be genius you can
at least be punctual, a virtue which
genius usually lacks
.Uh hah,' answered Jack. as he dis
appeared.
For an s,our or two. Jack played
around the adjoining streets showing Of
his new druTn-ma5or stick 10 the other
boys, who followed him enviousIy. Then
q boy two or three years older than
Jack joined the crowd
= 'Le'me see, said he to Jack. who was
twisting the stick around his fingers IN
imitation of fancy band leader he had
seen short time before Jack gave up
the stick
:. Huh, .taint nothing but a broom,
stick said the older boy.
It's not said Jack, my mother
gave il to me.
= I wouldn't play with broomstiek,'
sneered the olter boy
THE argument was taken I'D on all
sides and finally the big boy gave the
decorated bali on top OF the stick a
yank and tore it of, showing the stub
of a broomstick. Jack was amazed and
for minute stood still with the stick
in his hands. Then with cry OF rage
he rushed at the older boy and beat
the whey out Of him with the despised
broomstick.