The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-19

"Christmas as Usual Seems
to Be Missoula's Motto
This Week.
BUSINESS STRONGER
City's Business Men Rushed
by Demand for Gifts
and Goodies.

Bigger, better and more OF it than
ever before
Like the posters Of an old time cir
Gus sounds the consensus of the mer-
chants of Missoula when asked, How
arc things going during our first
Christmas of the big WARP
\ run about town, a visit with the
clothler. a chat with the grocery man,
II talk with the butcher and q CONVEX
sation with the florist bring the en-.
couraging news to light that each pro-
rrietor is thriving nicely" in his own
particular line Of business.
It's true that santa Clauses" are
filling their sacks with useful articles
for the 'grownnps." but the Riddles
have their usual assortment Of nuts.
candies and fruits. ana the day after
Christmas will find them with just az
painfully contented stomach aches as
were enjoyed i'm the ynletides before
the war.
Useful Gifts the Fashion.
To begin with. the reporter stopped
Il few moments at ISarney's Fashion
Shop, just to find out for sure If sister
was giving brother the customary red
necktie and if grandmother was stin
sending the yearly pair of lavender.
rose adorned shareholders to her
daughters son at college. But let g.
w. Rarnhill. proprietor Of the shop,
tell about it,
Useful gifts are the fashion this
year." said Mr.. Barney" while
some neckwear is being purchased. il
is noticeable that the Women--an
they are the ones who do the Christ
mas shopping-are buying such
things as underwear. hats. sweaters
and gloves. In short. anything that
will be directly or indirectly useful
to either civilians or soldiers
Mother hasn't bought fathers pres
ent vet" he added, with IL smile.
Fathers neckte is always bought on
Christmas eve"
Good Things for the Children.
Then. by n few hurried steps
through the rain the news seeker ar
rived at the Garden City Fruit com
pany-and one look was sufficient
there. Jim karas and his white
jacketed assistants We're ladling UP
nuts, ScOOplUS out tEInDCTIltS aHt
chopping out dates as fast as thei,
elbows could bend. No need to ask
there if the children We're going TIC
have a christmas as usual"
And l.. n. Simons, who owns the
grocery store just across the way
was of tho same opinions: and that
supplier of Christmas dinners spoke
some most encouraging words.
People Spending as Ever.
THE people have money" he de-
clared, land they are spending it. Al
ready the orders are coming in for the
big feast that will sweep the war
clouds from above the family roof fol
the time being. | am conducting my
business as usual. and am buying new
stock-with great hopes for the flu
,ure."
Turkeys for 1.-The Day"
Then about the big turkey. Quite :
Jump this time: away over to Yves
Front street. where the clever WELD
ers of the John Il. Daily butcher shol
hold sway.
II was Mr.. Daily himself talking
Business as usua" was the state
ment the reporter heard again. "Al
though the main Christmas meat or
tlers have not yet been sent in. man,
turkeys, geese and ducks have beel
reserved for the big day.
''And look he added, as he pointe,
Il finger in the direction OF the rcfrig
orator room. And through the glas
wall many rows Of dressed meat wer
hanging upon many rows OF hooks
awaiting the phone call that won
send them To many homes.
AS that visit finished up the Who'll
truth concerning the gastronomic sid
of Christmas. attention was given I
the sentimental angle.
Flowers in Great Demand.
The florists were called on" tn
men from whose shops go the gift
that carry an expression of love nc
contained in material merchandise.
r. X. Scully. of the r. and 5. Flowe
Shop beamed the now memorize
"business as usual slogan from be
hind a. counter behind n window the