Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-24
THE EVE OF CHRIsrMAs.
Chrongs Of People Under Unahrellas ~
the Business Streets.

THE Eve OF CHRIsrMAs
Threnss Of People Under Umbrellas On
the Business Streets.
SCENES ABOUT THE CIrY-GErTNe READY FOR THE
GREAT HoLDAr-ABouT THE xARKEr-BUYNa AND
SENDING CHRISTMAS GIFTS.
'sWell, It win be q wet Christmaas such a re-
mark, or one to the same effect was made by
several thousand people this morning. II was
damp, muggy and cherries. The streets how
ever, were thronged during the day, and In some
OF the business parts OF the city the raised un-
brellas seemed to form a roof over the sidewalk.
Christmas purchasers were out In force. Last
night the streets were thronged. Passengers
loaded down with bundles and baskets jostled
each other peddlers OF novelties forced their way
through the throng; men with push carts loaded
with fruit or candies crowded up to the curbs.
Everyone seemed bent on either buying something
or selling something. To-day the streets presented
and electric lights were eliminated, and a sort OF
murky daylight and umbrellas were added The
Dnstie and tumult OF the Christmas trade went on.
Tonight the climax will be reached and the stores
Will be open till after midnight to accommodate
6elated parents who have TO play apart OF Santa
HALF HOLIDAY FOR GOVERNMENT CLERKS.
In accordance with the decision reached at the
cabinet meeting yesterday, all the departments
closed business promptly at noon to-day, in order
that the government clerks might have q portion
OF the day In which to make their final arrange.
allowing full day holiday but the necessity for
keeping up the routine work OF the departments
Induced the President and cabinet to allow but
nan DAY. But little work was done in any OF the
departments to-day beyond the routine work, and
as soon as the II O'Clock whistles blew the clerks
left their DESKS and In a few moments the build
ings were deserted and the government clerks
were soon crowding the already crowded streets
some went Immediately TO their homes While
M N
nn1sh some postponed Christmas shopping. Many
heads Of bureaus remained at their desks until
late In the afternoon to settle up pending business
BUSY TINES AT THE CITY POST OFFICE.
Boxes and packages are in piles three or four
feet high in the city post Office to-day There are
several wagon loads mostly large packages. Letter
carriers going out are loaded down like pack horses
The delivery up to to-day, the ocials say, is fully
as large and apparently larger than IL was last
year. Yet it is probable that the heaviest strain is
yet to come. The sale of stamps for outgoing pres
ents has been very large. Christmas cards how
ever, are very reviewer far than they have been
heretofore. 1t will tax the ingenuity Of the Office
to deliver all the matter 10 be In the hands OF
recipients on Christmas day; TO insure this all
the extra force will be put duty and two wagons
will be hired. Only one delivery can be made by
the carriers tomorrow, but an effort will be made
to dispose OF everything then, and, besides, the
carriers window will be open as on Sunday, and
people may call for their mail
The several divisions OF the Office will be kept
open for the transaction of business for the public
on Christmas and New Years days until noon. AT
that hour the registry and money order divisions
will be closed to the public at the main Office and
the several branch stations.
A delivery by carriers will be made at 1880 am,
with the usual collections for that hour. The col
ally made on Sunday. The carriers window Will
be open from to pm.
THE EXPRESS COMPANIES RUSHED.
The express companies are making "long pull
and strong pull to deliver the many packages
received for Christmas. At both railroad depots
with the loading and unloading OF packages. The
amount OF matter received exceeds that OF any
previous year, says Mr.. Moss. OF the Adams ex-
press. Rich and poor alike seem to have perfect
mania for sending Christmas presents to their
friends abroad. The government clerk, Who has
not forgotten the 'girl he left behind him. is well
represented. The packages are OF every size, ana,
to judge by the valuation marks, OF all kinds. The
majority OF the packages evidently contain costly
one about the offices-are WORKING like Trojans
from early in the morning until late at night.
They don't even stop to go home for their meals.
but eat On the fly. The distribution will continue,
said Mr.. Moss, until every package suspected OF
containing a present has been disposed OF, even
though the work is carried on during the sabbath
all receive gOOdly sum extra, and their labors
are lightened by the services Of many additional
men engaged for the occasion. This great increase
in the holiday business is accounted for by reason
OF the Increased population.
CHRISTMAS IN THE MARKETS
is always picturesque. This year it seems par
ticularly So The country people who bring In all
the greens for Christmas decoration have ram
sacked the woods to rob them OF their winter
beauty. Christmas trees that seem To have grown
especially to delight the hearts OF children; green
holly, with its pr1cEley leaves and bright red ber-
ries the mystical mistletoe, many colored MOSES
and the tangled 'crow- foot" which nature twists
into Christmas garlands, are spread out on both
sides OF the pavement from the Center market house
to the avenue Quaint old cOlored women--old coun-
try aunties-with their heads tied up in handker-
chiefs with the knots nodding on top, and with
clay pipes In their mouths; old men with black
faces and white whiSkers, and clothes with many
patch OF blue and gray left over from the armies,
and perhaps Old battered beaver, and the little
boys in black and yellow, With big white eyes and
mouths wide open In broad grim. and fingers
with tendency to twirl their pointed and crown
less hats are, squatted among the evergreenS the
essential features OF q Christmas picture in the
market
On Thursday and to-day the markets were
crowded with buyers, and all the stands inside
were in holiday attire. Christmas turkeys. sides
OF beer, vegetables, fruits, fish and flowers were
in abundance. 1t was good market, for buyers
and the market people pronounced sales to be brisk
All the markets throughout the city and the mar
ket stores, big and little, had on their holiday At
tire and were active with holiday trade.