The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-25
HOLIDAY TIME.
The Momentous Preparations Of
Christmas Eve.
SMILING CITY SCENES
Good Natured Crowds and an Endless
Array Of Bundles.
THE BOYS" OF WALL STREET.
This Mornings Services and After
noon ADJUSTMENTS.
THE "BOYS" OF WALL STREET

The cold, crisp, eager and nipping air which yes
terday whstled through the metropolis bore on its
blasts promises of comfort and Christmas cheer to
many hearts. mild Christmas is Of all Others the
least welcome, for the rude gusts of winter
necessary part Of our great Christian holiday Santa
Claus may come without his reindeer sled, but at
least he is expected to bring such weather with him
as will justify his own warm outfit In his visit
to the metropolitan city, in which he is
especially revered good st. Nicholas, it was
observed last night that huge icicles formed
from his warm breath. hung by his shaggy beard
and that even he content to handle the contents
Of his pack with gloved hands. Less favored NOR
talsfor. after all, must regard Santa Clans
OF us. such important part does he play in our
affairs each Christmas Eve-could not find gloves
thick enough to keep their fingers from tingling
wraps enough to protect their shiverng bodies
from the wind In spite Of the weather however, or
probably all the generally because it was
cold and crisp and clear. whole population was in
the streets until very late hour preparing for the
dawn of Christmas Day.
STREETS AND AVENUES.
Broadway, all the way from Blocker street TO
Thirty-second. where the white facade of the new
Union Dime Savings Bank building guides the pedes-
trian into Sixth avenue; Sixth avenue itself. and
Eighth and Third avenues. Joined together by the
twin arteries. Twcntythird and Fourteenth streets
crowded all the day and evening by an
eager and busy throng Of purchasers. Men
and women jostled each other on the side
walks and occasionally an overloaded craft
run down by lighter tugs under full steam
The stores were crowded with busting multitude
and on the outside improviscd booths were equally
busy disposing Of Christmas trinkcts. At times in
the avenues, especially during the earlier hours
whi dIiak ha fdeua al liza npYf
to impossible, and the efforts Of pedestrians to
tricate themselves were constantly impcded by the
moving loads Of merchandise struggling in every
direction. Here was woman with bundle
OF toys in her arms surmounted by
huge turkey for the Christmas dinner there
bearing home Christmas tree and
sweeping the street with its branches In the midst
Of the multitude here and there half-dressed
boys anticipating the Christmas festival and the ap
proaching Of hilsrity with improvsed solos
upon penny whistles. Young men occasionally
added to this dscordant music by hoarse blasts upon
tin horns. It was thus Christmas Eve was spent in
the uptown business streets, and Christmas morning
had begun before the buying ceased and the loaded
present bearers disappeared from the streets.
TIKI HOUSES.
In the houses there hustle and activity almost
great. The saunterers in the streets If there
were any saunterers such bitter. freezing
night except the newspaper reporters. whose bust
ness 1t was to note the Christmas prepare
tons, might have seen front doors open steatli1y
to admit loads Of treasure. Popping through
half open blinds they might have seen busy and
skilful hands dressing the Christmas tree in ex-
pansive drawing rooms or hlling the ample stock
ings, not hing as of old in the chimneys--for our
modern houses longer havc the old-fashioned
feuer-Jeerd. in which but Pennsylvania Dutch
men now rcjoice-bnt in Whatever corner the
childish fancy chooses. From the cars Of the
elevated railroads these giinpses were especially
picturesque, Households were revealed busily pre-
pairing for christmas which were never seen before
for the want Of this high vantage ground. Along
Sixth and Third a new city was seen which
Sren full Of eager anticpations sSarmsd the lighted
apartments and the up bound or down bound tray
hurried by on the dashing train.
ON THE ELEVATED ROADS
But striking as were these revelations from the
elevated roads. the scenes on the trains themselves
equally interesting and novel At every station
there were long lines Of people going up
and down the starways laden down
with all manner Of Christmas treasures The
stations themselves had the appearance of booths
where toys Of every description exposed for sale
In the ears II was almost impossible to move be-
cause of the merchandise. One old gentleman kept
warning passengers off from his preserves which he
jealously guarded. 81 don't know what these things
are" ne said my wife bought them for the grand
children and warned me to bSvery careful
''What did you get up here for, theng' growled
impolite passenger, who had no grandchildren OF his
own to whom to take presents which might easil be
smashed. Getting of the train this grumblng indi
carriage near and cutting his face by falling on
helmet which young German was taking 10 still
younger Kaiser Wilhelm at home.
II is little odd perhaps that the trains on the
elevated railroads should have been utilized as they
yesterday, but throughout the day each sue
ceeding presented the appearance OF being COM
bned toy shop and Washington Market STALL and the
business on both lines was simply immense.
IN THE MARKjsrs
But great the activity IN the uptown houses
and the crowds in the uptown streets the downtown
markets were even more active and crowded. These
the marts from which the days dinner pro-
vded and the scene was which we'll nigh battles
description. Long rows Of turkeys were arranged
on hooks where but the day before were tempt
ing steaks and sugar-cured hams, and each
forming his Christmas dinner. Moving In all directions
were huge market baskets filled with every luxury
which could tempe the appetite the great feast day
OF the year. and the surgng. swelling, eager, fmpe
ous crowds acted il there only one hour
day in the in which to buy all that was ncces-
sary for its browning festival This was especially
noticeable ut Washington Market, where all day long,
and almost all night long as we'll the jostng crowds
were moving and yet apparently always on the
standstilL Although there was little swearing now
and then from the men when somebody put mar
shreking from the women when somebody with
clumsy feet tore the undefcndcd gathers" FROM
their gowns, good humor prevailed IA rulo--and
tho day and night wore away The purchases
completed ut last, and this morning the Christ
mas trees blooming. the stockings revealing
their expected and the larder gives gmpses
OF the coming feast.
DEARs-ASrIcs OF THE BROKERS IN THE
STOCK EXCHANGE.
The bulls" and "bears" Of Wall street held their
regular Christmas festivities In the Stock Exchange
buldinu Yesterday, Unlike other ycArs when the