Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
MILITARY CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
(From the Hartford Times).

1t is not a bit too early to begin
Christmas shopping and as a large pro-
portion Of the time, thought and money
expended on the great holiday will. this
year. go quite properly to the mon in
service. their gifts must como first-and
in some cases. 90 FIRST. to reach recipients
in distant training camps or overseas.
There are lots Of possibilities in gifts
for soldiers. and an even wider range Of
choice for Officers. but az many Of the
articles which come readily to mind have
been provided in the outfits with which the
men left home, something more valuable
and more elaborate il usually desired for
the great gift-giving occasion.
One article that will appeal to oficer
and private alike and which IL certain
to be gratefully received with winter
weather prevailing. Ia a warm garment
to be worn under the uniform. Sweaters
have been worn by many men In service
throughout autumn and something thicker
is needed when the temperature drops
near zero. Ample protection against
even a New England winter, much less
the cold of France, is afforded by a we'll
tailored vest Of very nne and heavy
khaki wool. closely woven. fastening on
the lines Of a service overcoat and reach
ing close up to the base of the throat
worn comfortably and imperceptibly
under uniform. and costs 50. A bit more
expensive and correspondingly heavier
is a jerkin Of leather. lined with flannel
and with a double breasted arrangement
which gives special protection to the
lungs. This il also splendidly cut and
tailored and costs SIS. For $3.50 one may
purchase a vest Of khaki colored wool
lined with marmot fur. the acme Of COM
fort and warmth.
Another cosy garment. this adapted to
officers rather than privates, il 4 khaki
wool face and neck protector. lined with
muskrat fur. designed to cover the entire
head from cap rim to shoulders. with
just space for nose and eyes-and the nose
can be tucked in too II it feels frosty.
This luxury il priced at $l2.60. Hands
are also apt to be chilly when there is
military duty to be performed. Real.
soldierly. serviceable gloves with roomy
fingers and strap wrists are made In two
in-one design. with tan leather outside
and wool within, the lining detachable
and the whole costing s..
Another bit of warmth for the Platts-
burg graduate IL a muskrat fur lining
designed to At within his service cap and
priced at $3.50. And Of course there are
always wrist watches. writing cases and
similar articles among the more expen-
sive gifts. A particularly complete rub
berized khaki. leather bound kit Of twenty
necessary toilet articles. including
brushes, etc, Is u.
But for those who want nice presents
for men in service. at IS and less. there
IL no lack of choice. The officer may re-
ceive a smart walking stick with leather
top and strap II the giver hands out a
s. bill. Then. for either officers or pri-
Yates there IL a good-looking swagger
stick of bronze finish. made hollow. to
hold cigarettes or papers.
Some soldiers affect to dsspise swaSger
sticks, but none OF them could sincerely
snif at a braid-bound khaki toilet kit
with fourteen articles including shaving
requisites. which costs 1915. and few Of
them would disregard the advantages Of
shoe cleaning set having three efiicacious
brushes in a khaki case at $3.50. A COM
paratively small number of American
soldiers play chess. but for those who can
master the game. pocket chess board
in khaki case at $2.76 would while away
many dull hour. while teaching some
valuable lessons in strategy. For those
content with checkers. q rubber checker
board and the checkers in q khaki roll
case cost $1.25 complete. And the hours
of neither work nor play. but devoted
to sleep. will be more pleasant with the
aid of an air pillow. A good one Of gen.
erous size and of rubberixed khaki, which
folds into small compass. costs $160. And
speaking OF compasses. a military model
in a nickel case Ii $50 and with ra-
dunn dial on a leather bracelet costs
$3.50
Every soldier, whatever his status. will
appreciate a rubberixed khaki Cigarette
m In HAT In Ian thor
bound with capacity for twenty cigar
cites Is rs cents. while another. holding
thirty cigarettes and made on q frame Of
fiat steel. is $3.50. Two other acceptable
gifts for the man In service who smokes
land few do noO are . pouch of water
proof khaki holding half q pound Of to-
baccO. pipe and matches. the whole
costing q. and trench lighter defying
wind, at IS cents.