Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-23
Christmas at the Depot.

THE TRAVEL OF TO-DAY COMPARED WITH THAT
OF THE oLDEN TIME-sCENEs ABOUT DEPOT
AND THE CHRISTMAS MEMORIES OF AN OLD
RAILROAD EMPLOYE.
Talk about life, said an old railroad en-
pioye to STAR reporter to-day. there Is more
life to be seen around the depots of the country
to-day than anywhere else. 1t Is not at all slow
about the Washington depots to-day either
People have been coming and going for the past
two days. but the great rush in and out did ut
take place till to-day. The western trains, out
going as well as incoming, were crowded last
night, while the travel east was never greater. :"
1T seems to me. said the old man. in a kind
OF meditative way, that there is more travel
each year. People think much less Of travel
these days Of lightning trains and fast expresses
with palace cars and all the other improvements,
than they did years ago. Why. sir, remember
the first Christmas when trains ran between this
city and Baltimore. l don't think there were
enc hundred people both ways that year. To-
day they run way into the thousands. 1t was a
big event then to go from one city to another
To-day it is not thought of more than short
trip on street car. | was a young man then
but have'a very distinct recollection Of travel
those days.
81 have noticed another thing" said the old
man, land that is, people are Differentiated as
Christmas apprenticeship is travellers. Now
we have hundreds Of regular passengers who
GO over the road every day. Ordinarily they
have not word to say. They pass us by. get
into the cars, draw out their papers or books
and seldom move or look about until they have
arrived at their destination But to-day they
all. or nearly all, have a word of some kind
wish us merry Christmas. OF something pleas
ant of that sort, and pass through looking hap
pier.
"Scenes. should say So Why. sir. there are
scenes occurring about the depots that make
me think more and more that life is real and
that there is hereafter. Now just look over
there and see that lady kiss and hug her two
boys. She has been waiting here nearly an
hour for them They have been at school at
Ellicott city. There see that lady greeting her
daughter and sOn-in-aw. | know them better.
They were married a couple of years ago or so.
l remember the night they left here with the
usual accomplishments of a host of friends and
lots of fun and bright sayings. This is their
first return Look at the old lady as she gets
the first peep at her grandehild in her daughters
arms. am not a bit sentimental sir but ii would
do some of the dyspeptic old GROWERS l know
lots of good if they only knew it and came here
and witnessed the scenes to-day. See this party
of young fellows; they live between here and
baltimore. You see. there are ten horns in
their oyercoat pockets Well, they will make
Laurel howl tonight"
Lot of time; train will not be ready for ten
minutes. gentlemen" said the old man. as sew
era impatient travellers passed through.
There. That is a mug sure enough. That
young lady has been waiting here for a long
time l am glad her friend arrived. They are
sisters knew the father and mother of those
girls when they were Young people too. See
that old lady there Well. she expects her son
to arrive on the next train from the west. She
has not seen him for twenty years. and she tells
me that he is just on his way from San Fran
cisco. where he has grown very rich. remem-
Der him and told her a few minutes ago l
would recognize him if she did not. Can't
wait? Well. he is a Washington boy and may
have an item for you. People are coming in
pretty lively now to take that train. You drop
around this evening if you want to see the
Deed you will see enough to fill your paper"
TRAINS ready now" sang out the old man.
Step this way and show your tickets