The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-07
SHOPPING SEASON
WELL UNDER WAY
Not Even Frozen Sidewalks Can
Keep Holiday Buyers
at Home.
SNOW A GREAT REMINDER
Wonderful Display of Christ
mas Goods Brought Here
by Merchants.

The temptation was too great, SO
please pardon what Is to follow. 1t
is not often that mortals who are built
according TO TIE pattern which was
decreed to be named the stronger sex
have a prediction for Christmas friv-
%olities. Men nay hold the purse
strings. but these same strings are
usually guided by a feminine hand, and
generally these feminine hands know
the open "sesame.' II there is any
question as to this fact, Just take a
walk up Broad or Main Streets these
afternoons n watch what is happen
ing.
1t would be rank heresy to say that
menfolk have not a proper regard Tor
the Yuletide festivities. TO so declare
would be just as productive of male
dictions as wouh be a statement to
the effect that the air sex-if such a
phrase is permissible in straight news.
paper works in its entirety only So
l%icitous Of spending the hard earned
shekels OF a years labors. Neither
statement would be accurate.
TO Make All Happy.
The truth OF the matter Is, that with
the first breath of the snow-nying sea-
son-this Is no paneisSric upon the
beauty of the dowSy substance when
lOdlS HlaJeSIlChlly lIOHI llt itdlil5
overhead-the heart feminine begins to
think of tile morning when peace on
earth and good will to men" rang
clearly and cheerfully round the world.
With these thoughts comes the after
idea that all mankind must be made
happy on the day of days.
Thus it Is that old Kris krirgle
comes into his WI and the %shopkeep-
crs and the people. who present their
dainties only at this time of the year
hrsrtp 70 LAUGH In wHrlly and look to the
time when the cares of business may be
forgotten and the largesse of the win
ter store be dispensed. 1t is a great
season. fraught Win m ma ZAP p9 tha III
men must at some time In the year
come to a realization that Christmas
means more than the coming of winter
or the dofing of an office coat for one
which bears the utward evidence or
sanctimoniousness.
Not Kept Away by Cold.
In no possible place can TINS TACT be
cold, wet pavementS and other deterrents
too numerous to mention, the busf
housewife. the spinster, the Joyous
sweetheart, the adoring sister, the busy
viduaI, the banker with the ticker still
bu2zing through his ears, the Adonls
who sees his lady fair. looking envi-
ously to the night when Old santa
w liiobSIl ~ itAAIt " tDF
his greetings, the weakling who hopes
to make up for a years lapses through
the generosity of his gifts-all of these
and more are pouring in I'm amending
stream into the marts where may be
found the dainty bauble and the pretty
remembrance which will offer solace
for the endless days.
It is indeed an Inspiring sight to
walk the retail district and watch the
many happenings. 1t is not a question
of lew much to spend. 1t is a qies-
tion of what will be most fit. The rein
deer travels in these parts but once. q
the trip worth while. In not a single
shop in the entire city is there an alb
sence of the holiday buyer. The alb
sorbing topic is what he or she VIII
bargain-seeling split is manifest. Price
Is of little consideration. Buy, buy.
buy, is the slogan, with what to buy
as the answering chord.
buying Time Grows Short.
Not until the rain which freezes be,
the real Christmas spirit manifest it
self Then. with the call for rubbers.
AMI fur coats and mackintosnes anu
from the elements. came the knowl-
edge that it was but eighteen days be-
fore the one great day In the caiennhr
of the world was to be celepratea,
the season for giving, with not little
care for the needy who may not be
possessed of the worldly goods with
which others are endowed.
Thus 1t Is that the stores of Rich-
mond are crowded to o~verf1owlns. Nor-
rain. nor snow, nor any untoward cir
-eumstance can stay the tide Of buyers.
It is a gift-giving time, and right mer-
rllv is the buying going on.
Surprising indeed would be the state
ment that there were few purchases
being made. With the wealth OF DAINTY
articles offered by the merchants one
could not restrain from leaving some
money on the counters. Each window
offers new a~llurements. and stony
hearted indeed would be the individual
leaving without satisfying the wants
of some person whom he knows or o.
whom he has heard. 1t is really nom
day in Richmond, and much credit IS
due the merchants for the manner ~
which they have catered to the MONDAY
craving of the buying public.
Not in years nave so many glits peen
spread before the eyes of those inc!lned
to purchase. From every part or the
habitable globe have come offerings,
No craving but can be satisfied, no
longing but may be appeased, no de,
sire but opportunity is offered, " ~ d
grand neutrality-suspicious. this year than
ever b~efore-and merchants and pa.
irons alike are enjoying the spirit
which is abroad in the land,
ArrAnHo McDNuANT