There are only a few days left till Christmas, and a festive feeling is in the air in this progressive city of 8,000 people. Word is that Guy Watkins and Paul Lake, both of whom attend Strayer’s Business College in Baltimore, are in town to spend the holidays with their respective parents on Choptank Avenue and Locust Street. Solon Hooper is also home from Washington College, much to the delight of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Hooper.
Meanwhile, poor Lee Bespitch cut his hand badly yesterday while cutting holly in the country. Fortunately, Dr. Thomas Coll was able to fix things with just a few stitches. Little Lee might have saved himself the trouble if he’d just gotten his folks to call George W. Williams, who has the finest Christmas trees, holly, and moss available locally.
Sadly, some things cannot be mended so easily. We were forced to say goodbye this week to one of the best known men in this county, the prominent businessman Hubert H. Wright, who succumbed to injuries sustained when he was thrown from his motorcycle on the state road. He was a pioneer of the automobile business in the area, and he will be greatly missed this Christmas.
On a brighter topic, it’s been suggested that all sensible citizens conduct their gift shopping as soon as possible. They’ll have more time, stocks will be larger, and selections will be more easily made and satisfactory. Everywhere in town is the evidence of the merchants’ preparations for the Christmas trade, including beautifully decorated windows with fine products on display. One of the most attractive windows belongs to LeCompte’s Shoe Shop, which has recently been fitted with drapery curtains.
Indeed, Cambridge stores never looked better, and there is no indication of dullness in business circles as automobiles are lined up on every street and hundreds of persons throng the sidewalks. Clearly the public appreciates being able to buy at home more cheaply than elsewhere.
And what a selection! Phillips Hardware Co. alone offers hand painted China, silverware, pearl handle pocket knives, cut glass, buggies, harnesses, and “toys, toys, toys.” M. Warren Hooper is the headquarters for books, games, and novelties at “rock bottom” prices. John F. Willis & Son has children’s shoes, house slippers, suspenders, neckties, and mufflers; plus, they’re giving away a very pretty and instructive 1914 calendar featuring a picture of the Panama Canal. Get a wicker rocking chair at LeCompte & Harper, or go to McCready’s for a smoking jacket (a sensible gift any man will appreciate). But, if you’re going to smoke, you’ll need cigars, cigarettes, and pipes like those available at the candy dealer C.R. Corkran on Maryland Avenue, near the train depot.
For holiday parties, food is a necessity, which is why Young’s Choptank Grocery carries a full, fresh line for breakfast, lunch, or tea. Yates Bros. has everything from fruits to mixed nuts as well as all the ingredients for cake making. If you’re short on time, Mrs. John Nichols stands ready to take your order for a first-class, homemade Christmas cake. Speaking of cake, thoughtful young Henry Taitt promised to leave one under his stocking for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Ah, yes, the children’s letters to Santa. This year, kids have asked for practical things such as raincoats, umbrellas, pencils, and tool sets, plus more fun stuff like dolls, go carts, drums, lockets, cowboy (or Indian) suits, bicycles, and the popular devil-in-the-bandbox. All three Langrall boys want a pop-gun, as does Wheatley Cook, who isn’t even old enough to write.
Levi B. Phillips, Jr., conscientiously told Santa, ‘I hope you will not think this is too much for a good little boy like me.” But the more brazen Burgoyne Cannon wrote, “I will expect of you all I ask for, as I always do get it.” And Orville Stewart was more diplomatic when he suggested to Mr. Claus, “If you will bring me these things, I will try to be a good boy until after Christmas is over.”
Most of the children noted in their letters that they were at least trying to be good, including Calvin Twilley, who promised he does “not say any bad words.” Thomas and Dorsey Potter admitted they are good boys “sometimes,” while Russell Stewart thinks he is a good boy, but that Santa had better ask his mother. Rosa Lee Evans, however, insisted she is “a right good girl,” and Beulah Fitzhugh that she is “a good baby”(!)
The young ones also have a few alternative requests for Santa. For example, Lindley Meekins implores him not to come down his chimney, “because Papa is very sick, and it might make him worse.” Instead, they will leave the front door unlocked. And Elizabeth Gore wishes to go home with Santa for a small time, if he can bring her back home before Christmas morning.
Gosh, if Santa meets every demand made upon him this year, he will probably have to dispense with his reindeer and sleigh in favor of an airship so he can make several trips from the North Pole! Be that as it may, Cambridge is ready for him and for everyone who wishes to celebrate Christmas in a grand way.
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