Christmas Time in 1914

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 305, 23 December 1914, Page 8

Christmas Time in 1914

STRATFORD SHOPPING STORY.

“Bill .Hailey, won’t \4>u please come home?” This was not addressed to me. I simply saw the announcement in Broadway—but if i. had been Bill Bailey I must confess there is sufficient attraction in Broadway shops to keep me from journeying homewards. I found Father Christmas easily enough at T. G. GRUBB’S. He was not exactly alive, but the electric train with its carriages which you can see running in this shop is beyond description—rails insula led with insulator under the engine connected with motor—oh, yes, you must see this, and all the charming toys--British made by the way—dolls, up-to-date motor cycles with trailer, and actually aeroplanes. If you want pianos you can get all you want at Grubb’s' As for books, they tango from the latest novel to the babyhooks for baby boys. The .-'trains of a popular ditty on a gramaphone, which I ought to have purchased hut didn’t, reminded me that I waited a smoke.

Next door I “alighted” on a tobacconist and sporting hairdresser, W. RUSSELI familiarly known as “Bill”-—whom I found was a champion barber and kept some real Turkish cigarettes and tobacco of every brand .

Seme capital letters have alluring meanings. “G” over HANNAH’S BOOT AND SHOE PALACE doorway signifies “Good”—to be poetic it is: “Good wear in every pair.” Ladies and gents who want smart, natty footwear Hannah’s can fit you up. One wants always to look after the inner man, and the tempting luscious fruit in DAVE GRAHAM'S more than “took my eye”—he actually took my money—and the apples and chocolate •* which I had in my possession helped me to gladden someone else, you see, besides myself—it’s all good for -trade, , ye ken. Gold always dazzles one, and the silver and , electro ware, brooches, the charming silver toaster, and the dainty pendants arrayed, not -merely for show, in J. PETRIE’S SHOP caused me to wish I could buy the lot. A nicely arranged window is R. B. ANDERSON’S, with cruet stands to brushes, and some dainty electro articles there displayed I guess' will soon find its waf. into some happy home. Bookshops have-a fascination for most folk, especially when you see a ragged covered one printed “How to Behave- at a Banquet”—l somehow thought of the Christmas fare—the dud-: and green peas, but a ’’Book of- Annuals” and' a semi-comic almanac in HOPKINS’ reminded me there was nothing but books and papers, magazines, cards, etc., to feast on—in all the reading line Hopkins can satisfy you. Across the road at RICHARDSON’S it’s distinctly different, for everything in the window is tempting—even the big chests of tea remind you-of four o’clock—for the cordial and lemon -squash give you a sort of “want you” craving which the hook place does not. l£’s distinctly different, it’s not a mere picture, it’s the real thing at Richardson’s. Next door at MRS MCCALLUM’S ladies can find stylish and modish millinery, and a little bird told me that in millinery and blouses this shop can always be relied on for up-to.date varieties« Getting a little hit tired, -the substantial boots in FOSTER'S, which keep out the Taranaki rain, seemed to talk, and I fancy I heard them say “Just try me!” I had not, however, far to go, because I was hound for Beaumont’s —you know the CENTRAL TEA ROOMS, next the Post Office—and there refreshed myself with a enp of real good tea. Coming out I noticed some poultry and animals all in chocolate—oh, yeS, you can get all chocolates at Beaumont’s. One should ever remember l the “Economic” shop, i Rv D.. LEWERS’. In one window I saw tray cloths, cushion covers, hats and portmanteaux-, with fancy ties, etc., were tastefully arranged in the other window. Needless to say, I did not pass, the COUNTY HOTEL, which, by the way, is in every way worthy of the name of an hotel. The charming blue ribbons in the “H. 8.” SHOP,! with its fancy shifts and stylish hats and caps allured me, and the British, Russian and Belgian, colored belts -amused even the youngsters outside, who said: “By Jove, I should like one of thorn.” Colored handkerchiefs and fancy braces solves the present difficulty so \ far as this shop is concerned. A kodak and the holidays you can link together in your mind, and when I saw a little Brownie kodak for 12s and a pocket folding camera at the Kodak House, T, A. W. NICHOLSON’S, I only wished someone would spare a £o note and buy one. Yes, a camera makes a nice Xmas present. There are autocrats and democrats, hut when you wiwit an Autocrat clock look at B. J. PETERS’ window and “seeing is believing.” Some choice rings, dazzling bangles, enamelled brooches, and silver-plated ware make tasty presents, and one can be sure of an exquisite assortment here. Get a tent, always useful, said a friend to me, and if you see J. R. WITT'S §hop you will see ono there which is a little ton small, hut Mr Witt told me he makes everything in the canvas line—l pass it on for you. MRS BROOICING’S SHOP is full up with sweets, and you can get a good cup of tea there. A smart tie and a (fancy suit can he got at the ECMONT -CLOTHING CO., and even if you want to make sure of the rain days to come, the “Egmont” keep some splendid oilskin coats. Tea sets and teapots are absolutely necessary. Yes, j

'said my friend, so is a good pipe—we were near G. E, JAMES’, and the I a nicies mentioned were so beanti. j fully arranged, besides there was jew!cilery, clocks, watches, leather goods; ■I could not say that oven these were j not necessary at this season ol the I year—some boy hinted that James’ iwas the place for toys. Not olten is a chemist’s window full of brushes, but FRED EO-W ARQS’• window just now is tastefully’ arranged, ami don’t forget ho sells “scent” in endless variety-*—it has not all been “sent” away yet. There’s nothing like a good square meal, and AND Co. undertakes to supply meals at all hours—it’s refreshing know even that! People who have ordered the Xmas dinner should he sure of their cutlery. BELLRINGER'S specialise in the 25s cutlery set, and you can get almost anything you want in hardware or electro plate at Bellringr er’s. Yon may not know, but LAMASON’S, the central rendezvous on Saturdays, sells Xmas hams, -and bacon direct from the Tnglewoou Factory, and in bis Mart you can also get furniture new and second-hand. Electric fans are used by TOM BROWN to keep flies out of the window, and the cook hams and fresh sausages, and other delicacies are better than books for a hungry man. When you can get a washing costume for 32s 6d, as you can at HERBeHt’S, why pay more ? In ready-to-wears, charming blouses, and up-to-date millinery, this shop is .the ladies’ emporium. Sports coat in cinambn brown and a fancy lace coatee are showing at MOREY’S, where ladies can also see the latest in parasols and all ladies’ wear. There is a smartness about Morey’s which ladies admire. There are other meals besides tea, and when I saw the dinner sets at the TARANAKI HARDWARE Co. and some of Sheffield’s electro-plate; I knew where, to get all the crockery I wanted for Christmas. You can never make a mistake if you buy a nice box of handkerchiefs; these and gloves are always acceptable, and at RAWLES’ you can also purchase the real clan tartan neckwear; their millinery is a fine selection. You have only to look at the MELBOURNE CLOTHING Co.’S shop and you are wished “A Merry Christmas,” free, gratis, and for nothing, but when it comes tp buying a shirt or a. ready-made suit, why, it’s only a trifle. Taranaki depends on its milk supply, and whether it is a separator,, bucket or a churn, 1 found MCMILLAN AND FRED RIG can supply everything in the dairy line. “Drive slowly” is good advice we know, and if you ring up the STRATFORD GARAGE, J. Donald will’ he pleased to take you for a plea, sant trip, or sell you a little light Morris-Oxford car, while any repairs in the motor line he undertakes. WILSON AND SON is generally associated with horses and harness, but don’t forget you can get some! smart travellers’ bags there or even some splendid binocillators —field-glasses. At cLDER’S.jyou can buy your Christmas cake,’or for the hoys and girls some lollies, and at WHITE’S not only clothing for the boss and the boys hut the missus is sure to he pleased there. Began Street is rather' long, hut take the turning towards East Road—that was the direction given to Mrs Jones when she bought her upholstered couch from EVANS AND TICK BON— she’s more than satisfied and is telling everyone about it. SMART BROS, is not a mere show place when anything goes wrong with your cistern or you want your saui. , tary work seen to. Ring up 30, they are practical in every way. You may be late in getting your goose for Christmas, hut T. D. COLSON, the old -established butcher in Broadway, can supply you with first-class meat, and after all, there’s nothing better than good roast beef for Christmas, Nothing looks nicer than a good Scotch tweed suit, and let me tell you D. BUTCH ART has a splendid range; so hurry up if you want to he in time for the races. Many folk Hesitate what to buy, it is time yon went in for a new dining-room suite—all you want in the furniture line BROCKLEBANK’S can supply you. When in a good humor Bill told Frank to go to MCALLISTER’S and get his photo taken—it’s no use putting it off, he said, and I saw him go in there to-day. Good window dressing is an art, so they say, but when there is a blending of eatables and drinkables with the colors of the

red, white, and blue, as you see at MASTERS’ SHOP, one does not question the loyalty of the discriminating public. It’s a long way to Tipperary, but W. MUDFORD told us he • 7 ’ , # p would drive us which ever way we wanted to go—’phone 115. We all need some balm, If you happen to want “Raspberry Balm” or groceries, E. A. ALGER delivers all over Stratford. Some folk prefer a rubbertyred gig for a good journey, and C. Martin, the proprietor of the EG. MONT COACH AND CARRIAGE Co. is building one new—a nice Christmas' present, too, for some one. “Delays are dangerous,” many men and women have found this so, because they did not get their boots thoroughly repaired at J. H. FORD’S, ’ when their feet were so wet. Never mind about the Christmas goose, be sure of a good joint— CANNON I AND ' C 0 »; can supply you this. Some places are full of all goods things, and at the CENTRAL CO-OP. STORES you can yet all your groceries and without going further purchase all/ your (kitchen articles. Jim said he goes j there', as it saves so much time and trouble. It is always well to know • that you can get the correct time at J, K. STONE’S; you can also puiv (chase Dick a gold watch there, don’t; forget. Why not get A. J. DAVEY • to run you round in his Stndebaker < I car—you find him at the Empire

Stables. At AACAARD’S the sad-! dler, you can buy some pretty bags \ or a spanking saddle for George—lie ' wants one badly. It’s next the STRATFORD HOTEL, which, by | the way, supplies you with all first- 1 class drinks, so you can “shout andj shout again.” One must be loyal to the Empire, and yet not forget the EMPIRE HOTEL,- where you can he sure .Mr Arden will give you the spirits or beer you like best. Some there are of varying tastes in the way of presents, but even the most fastidious will find among the many shops something worth buying, and in saying this I am reminded of the old saying: “A MERRY XMAS TO YOU ALL, from the , “STRATFORD POST.”