The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1884-12-25
OUR CHRISTMAS.
Written for the MINERAL Aners. !

written for the MINERAL ARGrs1
Ihe narrow business streets of Bos-
ton were SO crowded on this NIGHT
that, were it not for the white ravs Of
electric lights from nearly every corner.
from the fronts of shops and public
buildings, the surging multitude
might have been a creator of accident
and destruction as well as a happv
throng of purchasers and sight-seers.
For few hours dark, heavy, clouds
had been gathering over the Club"
and State capital; the temperature
had lowered several degrees and the
wind howled and swept in ftful gusts
through Washington street and across
and down fremont Row. There is
nothing like the elements to disperse
a crowd. Boston policemen are ride
ulously dignihed and very efficient,
yet, on some occasions, far more
effective than they, is gentle April
shower.
Tne wind blew stronger, the mercury
sank lower and lower, the hour was
late; purchases of gifts had been made,
and the duties and pleasures of Christ
mas night of I87- had been for the
most part, accomplished. The police
men again reigned supreme, for the
streets were vacant, save for an occa-
sional pedestrian who, belated, was
hurrylng home to some distant quarter
of the city.
No, not wholly deserted was every
place, for, gazing steadfastly into the
magnificent holiday window of Messrs.
Wadsworth & Co., on Washington
street was richly clad gentleman of
almost gigantic proportions - indeed,
so conspicuous and commanding his
statue and presence that the great
crowd had jostled, not intentionally.
against him. He was a person none
could fail to notice-clad from head
to feet in seal - cap and overcoat of
far greater value than ordinanally
worn except by possessors of consid-
erable wealth. Peering out from be
tween the high turned-up coat collar
and well pulled down cap, a pair of
keen, gray eyes of yearning and sor-
rowful expression looked into that
window from whence the Illuminating
rays were thrown out upon his brohzed
face, lighting to view his clearly cut
and classic features. At first glance,
the gentleman might have been pro-
nounced a foeigner, yet he was of
American-New England-birth.
Five years ago Clifford Lanier was
the junior partner of one of the wealth
lest and largest dry goods houses of
Boston. About that date came Christ
mas eve of the year IS7--; the decade
to be followed by great financial dis
turbances in nearly every branch OF
business was drawing to close, and 1t
was soon afterwards supposed by the
other members of his firm that Clifford
Lanier had predicted the crisis one
year at least before it spread its darkest
gloom over the land.
Boston shops were not well stocked
with goods at that time, for rumors of
the dark days that soon followed were
afoat and merchants had
become timid; yet the store windows
were elegantly trimmed and filled with
goods-in some instances a particular
window contained the larger invoice
of its house. 1t was noticed on that
day that the country folk customers
were more fully represented than City
thus showing that citizens
Of great towns keep more rapid pace
with the times, extending their scrutiny
further into the future, than do often
their sometimes more vlrtuous neigh
bors of the rural districts 1t will have
been noted that on the date OF this
Christmas eve. business affairs were
assuming a decidedly squally aspect,
painfully apparent to business men
throughout the country. Still the
shop windows were aglow with light on
the eve of Christmas, 49,; the prl-
vate residences of the proprietors,
however, were markedly less brilliantly
in the spacious ParIors
than on previous holiday occasions
with oAe particularly prominent excep- /
ton. viz: at No. Beacon Hill, /
the residence of Clifford Lanier, where
the beautiful drawing rooms were
ablaze with light from an almost IN.
number of gas burners OF
the candle chandeliers. Up stairs IN
a richly furnished 50Haoir was seated
a lady of surprising beauty. Her dark