The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-12-25
Christmas Eve,

anu from the popping OF crackers anu uuCouth
sound of tin horns, heard in every direction, 1t
was evident that the Lord of Misrule had COM
menccd his reign and the holidays wero fairly
opened. Grcenbacks wore brought from Some
hidden recess, and the secret hoard was spent
III procuring some long coveted Chri stmas gift.
Il was evident that the vast host of buyers who
thronged the stores during the day were convinced
that 1T was far more blessed to give than to re-
ce.yc, and their purchases wero made with a lib
erll hand and without a thought OF self. All cares
were forgotten, and the only business that en-
gagged the attention was to make a selection from
the numerous articles that were presented IN lavish
profasion.
ON EING-sTREET.
This, the great emporium OF fashion. and the
headquarters OF Santa Claus, was the centre OF at
traction, and was thronged with happy crowd OF
all ages, classes, colors and conditions, Gag, + to
exchange their currency for Christmas gifts. The
toy stores were soon transformed into miniature
Dabels, where 1t was n vain effort to keep quiet,
and almost iEapossible to be heard. Everybody
wished to purchase and was not willing to bide
his time. The numerous clerks were kept busily
employed, but it was a labor OF love into which all
entered with q zest that made shopping for ONE,
u pleasure 10 Dull ptI'IeS. v ah9S". N
mans, Marion's, and the other toy and CONNECTION
cry stores along the street were prepared for the
occasion, and presented to their bewildered GUS
toners an array Of plain, fancy and useful articles
that far exceeded any similar display that has been
made for years. Toys, however, were not the only
attraction, the older and the wiser heads remem-
bered the Christmas dinner, and devoted some OF
their time to the purchase OF the necessary
groceries, while others we're busily employed in
procuring an outfit for the New Year at the differ
ent clothing and dry goods stores. From the Lines
to the BATTERY the streets presented u busy APP
pearance, totally different from the usual dulness,
but entirely consistent with the joyous Christ
mas season.
ON THE STREET CARS.
These were immensely popular, and were
crowded with parties whose purchases had been
completed, or with those who were on their
way to the busy mart Of Santa Claus. The
platforms were occupied by packages of every
description, which we're watched with q tender
solicitude by thu little passengers. Each trip was
q success, as fractional currency was at q dis
count, and ten cents too trlfiing a cum to be saved.
IN THE MARKETS.
The Markets were supplied with more than their
u ~ O0V aAi Al NSAS 'NS
plentiful and the prices reasonable. The first
market, where the feathered tribe are kept,
was the most popular, aud the loud remon-
~strances of the geese, turkeys, ducks and fowls,
showed plainly that they did not appreciate
the summary fate that was in store for them.
No Christmas dinner is perfect without q tur-
key, and the gobblers were gobbled up by
anxious customers who fea ed they might lose
this delicacy. Geese and ducks came next on the
list, while the fowls we're reserved for ordinary &C.
casions. Meats Of different kinds were displayed
in tempting profusion, beet, mutton and pork pre-
dominating, but the more savory venison was
found at many attractive stalls. Farther on the
vegetable marker attracted attention, and the old
maumas in their Christmas turbans a~nxiously
solicited the passers to purchase. Their stalls
we're filed with everything that was in or out of
season that coullb be procured for a Christmas din
ner, and their appeals were not unheeded. The
f~ruitcrers had each converted their stands into
green booths where apples, oranges and bananas,
were suspended from boughs OF pine or Christmas
bush, VIII; i Swallowed their stock. Still further
on the shrill cry OF ~''eyester, denotes til at the fish
market had its CLAIMS on the Christmas purse,
while the numerous tables spread for the treedm N
sent up savory doors that were by no means dis
agreeable. Throughout the entire length Of the
market the moving throng had apparently but one
object-Christmas was coming, q good dinner
was q necessity, and it must be obtained.
THE HUcKsTERs.
These formed an important part Of the body
corporate on this occasion, and certainly succeeded
in making themselves heard. In every portion of
tna oil u tbair Ghri1f vOiCpz col1jno fhoir stocE in
trade, rose loua above the din of drays and other
city noises. These itinerant vendors were mostly
strangers and had visited the city for the purpose
of raising money by the sale of their produce,
which consisted principally OF wood. potatoes, and
game. Their prices were far below those asked in
the markets, and they soon effected an exchange,
which filled their pockets and sent them on their
way rejoicing.
OTHER SIGHTS.
In the suburbs a number Of persons were en-
gagged in cutting and preparing Christmas trees,
and the green boughs that were borne through
the streets were signs that the good old custom
was still in force, and the trees would soon be in a
position to produce Christmas fruits. At the diff
fsrent churches the younger members Of the con-
gregations were preparing the Christmas decora-
ton, and their nimble fingers were employed in
twining the evergreens into the proper shapes.
wreaths, gar.ands and festoons were soon formed,
and letters Of living green informed the worship
pers that unto them "a Saviour was born who
would take away The sins Of the world"
From early morn 10 dewy eve the streets ard
stores presented the sam animated appearance,
and it was not until a late hour that the purchases
were concluded, the preparations made, and the
busy throng retired to dream Of the coming
Christmas.
WITH THE POOR.
At this season the widow and the orphan, the
poor and the distressed, suffer the most and appeal
most earnestly to our charity and compositions.
No nan will enjoy Christmas the less for the
knowledge that he has helped to make the day
happy for some destitute woman or orphan child,
and at this season Q small sacrifice will enable our
people TO acc )mplish a vast amount Of good. The
Ladies' Home, the Fuel Society, the Garment So
ciety, the Orphan Houses, the Hospitals, are all
calling for donations, and it will be remembered
that every addition to their funds, increases their
power in relieving those whom they have taken
in their kindly charge. These societies, these
representatives OF the poor, whom Christ loved,
must not ask in vain, and in their name we ask for
all that each citizen can spare, a~ll-however lit
tle-that each can afford to give.
HOTEL ARRrvLs.-MMs House,. H. Leza,
Colonel Mario, Mexico; H. Pluth, E. Kelly and
wife, Rob't Paine, N. Y; E. Weeks, Erin, Michigan;
J. S. Bayer, Michigan; c. E. Olmstead, Chicago;
Miss Kule, Rawath, Chicago; ]. ]. Golden and
lady, Walter Vail, wife, child and nurse, Henry
Coggil, Jr., Miss Coggill, Miss NJ. S. Cogeill, NY;
Palmer saper, Philadelphia; S. ". Whitwel and
Thos. c.. Crane, c. G. Kendall, Mrs. G.. G. Kendall,
C. H. Dabney, n. Y; Captain saragossa; Uhas. W.
Harry and wife, Jacksonville, Fla.
Charleston HoteL-B. T. Gage, J. L.. Bosquet,
n. Y; J. NJ. sparkman and F. W. W. sparkman,
Florida; R. P. Wadlow, N. Y; S. T bearing, Gcor-