The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-27
CHRISTMAS.
The Observance of the Day in Port
land.

Christmas proved bright, clear day after
the fogs and showers of Friday The streets
had been so eleansed of snow and ice that
the sleighing was ruined, and the warm
weather had prevented the proper freezing
OF ponds so as to give the young people a
good chance for skating. As result the
holiday seemed more like Sunday, than we
can remember for years past The stores
were closed for the most part, and people
took their enjoyment within doors.
All day long the letter carriers and express
teams were engaged in delivering packages,
and the men had hardly time to breathe.
Thursday and Friday over 5000 people had
bundles stamped at the cashiers Office of the
postoffiee, while the express offices at the
depots, and ON the wharyes, were filed with
packages, and cars stood on the tracks wait
ing to be unloaded.
AT the Catholic and Episcopal churches
the usual services, with the accompanying
Christmas music, were held. The music
was finely rendered, according to the pub
llshed programmes, and besides the usual
worshippers, there were large numbers an
xious to gaze upon the Christmas dressing.
the pomp of ceremonial and to listen to the
grand harmonies of masters rendered by the
choirs. In the Orthodox and Liberal churches
the Christmas services took place yesterday,
and almost all the sermons had reference to
the advent. In the evening there were
Christmas concerts at seyera of the places
| of worship.
The few places of amusement were well
patronized Christmas. The toboggan slide
| at Deering, notwithstanding the weather.
was kept in good condition and ladies and
| gentlemen joined with each other in the
sport, and with them were plenty of specta-
tors. Several dances were held in public
lalls, and at the theatre, Mr.. Barrett. in
Hamlet, entertained one of the largest au-
diences ever gathered within its walls.
| Christmas eve and Christmas day were
marked with many kind remembrances of
employees and employed. Mr.. X John Lit
tie gave his clerks a splendid supper in the
large dress-making room over the main
sales-room, which had been furnished by
Robinson, and they in return, gave him a
pretty gold chain for the little daughter born
to him that morning.
Superintendent Jarvis of the Baltimore &
Ohio Telegraph Company, gave the messen-
ger boys capital dinner at the Prebe
House The boys, clad in their neat uni
forms, made pleasing picture as they sat al
the table with bright, happy faces.
Mr.. Giles 0. Baily, editor of the Times
was the recipient Of an elegant gold headed
ebony cane from the office employees.
Many friends of Mr.. John Ii. Sewall. who
has lately left the service of the Grand
Trunk to superintend the Safety Car Heat
ing Company, presented him with a beauti-
full Elgin goldsopen faced watch, appropri-
ately inscribed.
Mr.. b. c. Atkinson presented each of his
teamsters leather jacket, and made his
shipper, Mr.. E. S. Bunham, a valuable
present.
Webb & Cushing, shoe manufacturers.
| gave each one Of their employees So silver
| certificate.
| Mr. c. Z. Libby, head truckman for A. Lit
tie d Co., presented each of his teamsters
with fat turkey, and they gave him val
liable pair of otter gloves.
Mr. John Coleman, head waiter at the
United States Hotel received handsome
| Rogers group, from his assistants.