The Evening critic., 1881-12-19
CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS.
OHKISTWAS SHUPFERS,
a stroll Among the Holiday Throngs
and Inspection of stores by Our
Christmas Reporter.

81 declare, said n fnlf, TAT ana forty matrOn
to her rosy.chccked daughter this morning,
81 never saw the like Of the people as are ont
shopping this Christmas. Everybody appears
to have money, and the stores all seem nllcd
with Just what the people want" Tho lady
was correct. To-day has boon busy one with
our merchants, and there were large additions
TO the busting throngs ION the streets. The
stores have gained In attractiveness since last
week, many OF them having rcplcnlshcd stocks
depleted by purchasers, and the windows are
n sight TO see, while the interiors are gorgeous
Everything promises well for n very active
trade during the week, and those who wish TO
select carefully should not delay their shop.
ping too long. THE CRITIC reporter mingled
with the throng today and made many obscr.
vations. For Instance, when passing
738 and IA seventh street.
he noticed that cach establishment was
throngcd with buyers aud that trade was very
brisk ut those reliable dry goods houses.
Mothers were purchasing cloaks for their
daughters, the latter selecting laco collars or
other pretty articles for their m nam and
for merry Christmas to many. Pausing be.
fore
N. 4. Eiseman's
clothing and tailoring establishment, l21
Seventh street northwest, under Odd Fellows
Hall, tho,scribo was struck with the clcgan
display of ready-madc clothing which was at
tracing general attention. Mentally he pur-
chased an ulster ns u Christmas present for
stroll to
EIphOnzO YouDgs'
splendid family grocery store, 50i Ninth
street northwest. This establishment IL famed
for the all-wheat -four sold there and the su-
perlor line OF general groceries. "Having n
pretty good run of Christmas trade 2" inquired
the reporter of the proprietor. The simple an
swer was nod and n smile, and n Jerk Of the
pie gathered about the counters.
Geo. =. Hardin.
the dry goods man OF $40 Pennsylvania ave-
nue., Capitol HILL was up to his eyes In busi-
ness when THE CRITIC pceped In. His clerks
were on brisk move, supplying the demands
of customers, some OF whom purchased dress
goods, others merlno underwear or notions,
whichever suited their taste. THE CRITIC had
dropped In for n chat, but everybody was so
busy he concluded that Ire was In the way,
and departed, stopping, as he walked along, at
McCauIey ~ DeIiwig's.
200 Penna. avenue east, where golden butter
in tempting richness had been Just received.
II was prime quality and was being sold
rapidly. "Anything now from tho Guitcau
trial 2" asked Mr.. McCauley Of the reporter,
keeping one eye on q batched-faced boarding.
house woman who had tho tip OF n very red
nose In n flrkin OF butter. The reporter rela-
| ted the latest, and then continued his walk to
Decker a. CO.'S.
| iii street northwest, where q feast OF per-
| feet gorgeousness In tho way of Christmas
goods was presented. Some very lovely Christ
mas cards, including Prang's prize cards and
many others were displayed there in countless
numbers, while beautifully bound Christmas
books, charming writing desks, card cases and
many pretty things were noticed on every SIDE
There were many purchasers in tho store and
| tho clerks were busily engaged In exhibiting
the rare Christmas gems OF literature, ingen-
| uity and art. Further up street THE CRITIC
was Interested by scene OF activity In the
| spacious store OF
w. w. BurcheiI.
This famous northumberland for the
/ an artn ~ of an1 M
was crowded, and Christmas orders were fiow-
| Ing in rapidly. The long shelves, broad coun-
| tiers and costly showcases fairly groaned with
| their weight of champignons, sardines, as
paragus, petite p0is, and thousand and one
imported dellcacics carefully selected for the
| holiday trade. 1t was no place for laggards,
| so the reporter went out Into the street again
and wandered down town. He stopped In Mt
q. Ii. Shnfer's
well-known mineral water depot, 1910 i street
northwest, and quairod an invlgoratlng draught
| OF deep rock, and wished the pleasant pro-
prietor n merry Christmas. Following in the
wake of two chattering, gay young ladies',
whose manners indicated that they were on
Christmas shopping bent, THE CRITIC was led
| into the pretty store OF
Mrs. Selma Rupert.
Cos Ninth street northwest, where legion of
| elegantly dressed ladies were puZzling their
minds and going Into little ecstatlc fits, rs 1t
were, over the many beautiful articles they
| examined. Berlin zephyrs and every grade OF
wool and knitting yarns, from which all
| manner of mysterious and pretty articles are
| fabricated, were exhibited TO the crowd, and
| also n choice line of worstcd and embroidered
goods, hosiery, underwear, gloves and lots OF
| other things. THE CRITIC fingered an inter-
| osted observer, and finally secured half n
dozen tiny understands for a Christmas present
| expected In his family the first of next week
| and continued his walk TO the grocery cstab
| llshmcnt of
George A. O'Harc.
| 1918 Seventh street northwest and laid In n
l f,ta1x Af ~ nj ffr mi =
| This, OF course, included some OF O'Hare's
| famous Bouquet whisky, some delicious Con
cord grapes, sugar, spices and other lngredi
| ents for prospective pies and things.
| "Going to have big time Christmas?" asked
the good-natured proprietor as hc jottcd down
| the reporters order.
ing on,his kids and lighting a cigar, tho scrib,
moved down town once more, and pulled up
next at
| TO Market Space, corner OF Eighth street. 4
sight that gaddencd his heart was witnessed
there. The store was alive with purchasers
and the corps Of polite, dimpled-cheeked
bright-eyed lady clerks were like bees In
busy hive responding TO tho pressure OF trade
The great variety of lovely Christmas goods n
Davis 10 almost without limit. One can I'm,
In the vast collection present appropriate fo
any age, sex, or taste, and in this respect tn
wise proprietor has displayed commendabl
Judgment The scene at Davis held the atten
tlon of the reporter for an hour, and IL was
/
for tho sight was an animated and pretty one
and he was 10th TO go away.
FairbrOthcr a Davis.
1928 New York avenue, an establishment hon
orod by the scribe's presence next, proved
place well worth visiting. Tho spacious sales
room was stocked with great variety OF sea
sonable articles, and admirably suited for hol
iday purchasers. or the latter there was
constant stream going in and out OF the store
Some OF them bought linen collars and Guns
others dainty handkerchiefs and laces, SOM
selected ruchings or gloves, or underwear an,
furnishings for gentlemen, OF which u com
plete stock was displayed. Tho proprietor
were in full enjoyment OF the public recogni
ton OF their efforts TO please, and We're assidu
Gus In attending to'their patrons.
The Boston Variety store,
705 Market Space, was u scene OF animation
when THE CRITIC called. Ladies' and gentle
men were eagerly selecting beautiful presents
from the ample stock OF holiday goods Offered
them at popular prices. THE CRITIC found hi
way into many n little secret as 20 what pres
onts some people are to receive, but promise
faithfully not to tell. Having toasted his eye
! and made more mind purchases, the reporter
weary fcot, for they were beginning to &c
tired, turned later TO
Davis 81 DiclinsOn's,
032 Seventh street northwest, an emporium
superbly furnished with rare collection q
, holiday goods. The reporter was " convicted
| nj al Je wna found u OIiltyt al pnInO tnt