The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-12-12
CHRISTMAS SPIRIT
IN air. CITY DONS
ITS HOLIDAY GARD

Display OF Christmas trees on the
streets and decoration of stores and
business houses in keeping with the
holiday season serve to remind every
one that only II shopping days remain
Holly wreaths and poinsettias are TO
be seen plentifully interspersed with
such vital necessities as shoes and
clothing.
Despite oft repeated pleas to edo
your shopping early" there still is that
perversity in human nature that per
sists in waiting until the very eve of
Christmas before final purchases are
made.
Reasonable AlibI
On the other hand, it may be I'M
selishness that prompts one to hold
back to have Just one more weeks pay
to spend. At least that is a reason
able alibi. After all there is a diff
ference in the spirit of Christmas
shopping. THAT spirit is the spirit of
unselfishness which permeates the
shopping air-with everyone thinking
of some one else. 1t is that thinking
of the other fellow that relieves the
tedium of counter-waiting and creates
a different feeling inside, even when
one is tossed and jostled in crowded
elevators.
Christmas balls, red, green, blue and
gold are beginning to show them
selves in the store windows. Christ
mas balls of all sizes and shapes, and
chains of balls with their sparkling,
varied colors. Last of all, candles to
brighten the very end Of dark, green
fragrant branches. There also are
electric bulbs that produce the same
effect as the lighted candles, and many
other improvements can be noted as
one scans the shops for signs of the
approaching holiday.
Santa Claus again has emerged from
his home at the North Pole, with q
clean suit and clean beard and q
new chimney. The credulity of youth
lis again about to be taxed to the ut.
lnost by seeing Santa Claus in one
'store, and then turning about only to
see another Santa in another store.
In the toy departments one comes
10 first realization of the nearness of
christmas, as one watches the crowds
of wide-eyed boys and girls. There
is where Santa Claus holds court, and
the long lists of Christmas wants pour
eager, breathless boys and girls.
High Childish Ambitions
There are the shy, tiInid youngsters,
who whisper their pleas into Santas
ear, and there are other little boys,
who announce boldly that they want
H'real airplanes that they can fly in
and little girls who only want slip
Ders with real silver and diamond
buckles"
Very modest requests for a wizard
like Santa to fill
One knows that Christmas comes but
once year, but one little boy an
nounced yesterday, Gee, / wish there
was three Christnlasesl"
There was one young visitor, ragged
and unkempt, who came up to Santa
and called him a bluff" OF course,
Santa asked why. "Awl after me
tellin' you everything l wanted last
year, you never showed up
Toyland seems to be fairly bursting
with lions that roar, babies that cry,
dolls that say Mama" clowns that
laugh, dogs that bark, monkeys that
climb, and everything to delight the
heart of a child There is, a whole
array of things that go.
The other departments are all
stocked up, too, so that every member
of the family viii be supplied. There
are even new collars for the dog. The
stock appeals to all tastes and al
pocketbooks, so that one can select
anything from a five-cent doll or g
ten-cent fire engine to a baby grand
piano or a sable scarf.
Oh, there are more ways than one o.
elling that Christmas is just few
laws away