National Republican., 1883-12-25
CHRISTMAS CRAYONS.
Studies Of Still Life SilhOuetted Against the
Slush and Snow Of the Streets.
The Crowds Upon the Thorough6arcs and
the Incidents OF the Birthnight.

Christmas eve was a busy, bustling occasion.
The business thoroughfares were crowded with
anxious purchasers Indifferent alike to snow and
slush. As predicted in THE REPUBLICAN,, the nu-
merous toy and book stores were crowded with
purchasers, who needed not the dIsagreeable
weather In their zeal for relatives and friends.
Several prominent merchants, In conversation
with the reporter, stated that their most sanguino
expectations had been realized in the Christmas
sales
"Nockties," said one, ''have proved to be
genuine harvest Of wealth. We have closed out
our entire line" e Oh.
Another remarked that silk handkerchiefs had
been IN large demand. The reporter asked what
color appeared to lead, and the merchant re:
piled, white with flowers embroidered in silk.
The streets were crowded with pedestrians until
after midnight, and not few purchasers made
their rounds In seighs.
A force of workhouse oonvicts was engaged all
day in clearing the park sidewalks and street
crossings of snow. In order to facilitate matters
Col. Rockwell employed force of poor mon and
boys, and gave them an opportunity to earn
sum OF money for the holidays. The result was
that the numerous crossings were speedily cleaned
~ tell you,' said letter carrier, tive wi II have
n big days work tomorrow. The packages of
Christmas presents are already coming in, and It
Will almost he necessary to employ express wagons
to deliver the many packages. However," he
concluded, II guess the boys will have to use eN-
ira cndeavors, and carry the packages them
selves"
The markets presented a busy scene last night
The yellow light OF hundreds of Kerosene oil
torches were shed over the bustling spectacle Of
thousands of people stirring about and buying
turkeys, vegetables. and other luxures. Tho snow
which fell so proiusely sunday Is still on the
ground, and Christmas will be as OF old, white
sheeted and natural"
All day long, from early morning till away In
the darkness of tho cloudy night the streets were
crowded. The rain made but little difference
with the ladies' toilets. and the avenue was filed
with silks and sntins and vclvets aud seal skins.
The Christmas purchases had all been made last
week, all the presents had been selected the
Christmas cheer sent homo the Christmas tree
decked, but still the crowds fingered around
the store windows. filled the store rooms, and bar
gained ana bought with q recklessness that was
born OF Christmas and good humor. Toward
night the crowd did not lessen in numbers but 1t
did In good clothes. The eupatrlds of good society
retired to luxurious apartments to gaze upon the
stormy Christmas eve through curtnined win
dows, while the proletarian turned out amid
rain and slush to provide for the scanty
Christmas dinner. Later on the hicterng gas
lamps lit up scene almost deserted until at mid
night the journalist, the policeman, and the pa
rlah were almost the only tenants of the streets.
This morning ProfWiddows will ring in Christ
mas morning with the Metropolitan chimes.
There Will be services In the Episcopal, Lutheran
and Catholic churches, chiefly musical service,
as fully set forth in THE REPUBLICAN, of last week.
Some few of the Methodist churches will have All
early Christmas service of prayer and song. but
as rule the Protestant churches, except those
mentioned, Will hold no exercises to-day.