The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-12-25
A MERRY CHRISTMAS.
How the People Prepared to
Observe the Holiday,
BUSINESS TO BE SUSPENDED
In the City and County oaices, and
Sunday Hours to be Observed At
the POStoaice-.-The Streets
Thropged-Good Cheer.

The worlds holiday, now grown CEN
turtles old, is here once more, Twelve
clear strokes on the big bell In the Pub
lie Building tower and the discharge Of
a few rounds Of cannon crackers con-
stituted the announcement Of It's ad'
vent in this city,
To-day will be a Merry Christmas in
many households in Wheeling, This
statement is made with the best circum-
stantial evidence to back It up-the
liberal manner in which people have
bought nice things within the past few
days, Hundreds ofdollars have beenspent
for toys, books, and similar attractive
and useful articles TO say nothing OF the
immense sums, paid for jewelry and
fine goods to make their recipient hap
by, and the dollars paid for cards and
similar devices to express sentiment,
Last night was the last chance 10 buy,
and the people took advantage OF II,
Market street from 9 o'clock till 0 was a
perfect Jam, and after that hour the
street was well crowded till nearly mid
night,
AS II by common consent, those going
up town took the east side'of the street
and those going down the west side.
To oppose this order was unayailing and
the unlucky individual or party Of iudi-
yiduals who attempted to stem the tide
and walk against the crowd, found him.
self working against odds too great to be
overcome. One little man got into the
throng at Fourteenth street, and was
carried back, and had to turn down
Fourteenth street to turn round.
The crowds were not on the streets
alone, for In tho stores, and especially
the candy and fruit stores, and the places
where fancy goods are kept, the throng
was equally dense. Clerks were worked
almost 10 death, and many a poor fellow
will stretch his legs this morning and
wonder II he has been 10 a six days
walking match, aud will decide after he
thlnksthe matter over that he has.
The heads Of families could easily be
distinguished In the crowd, Usually
the male half OF the household head, was
accompanied by the other hall, but there
were exceptions, These people usually
carried half a ton each Of doll babies,
hobby horses, wheel. barrows, express
wagons, andsuCh like for the little ones
who were ut home dreaming Of Santa
Claus and the things he would bring
them.
In marked contrast to these people,
who were happy and doing their best to
make Others happy, were the few In.
diViduals who can see no pleasure in
such an occasion unless they are drunk,
or getting that way. Leery.eyed fellows
with unsteady steps were to be found In
the crowds, but happily they were
scarce.
There were several balls In progress
last night and there will be Others to-
night. Some Of the Sunday Schools had
their Christmas treats last night, but the
majority Of them will have their merry
making tonight, The usual Christmas
religious services will be held this morn
ing at the Episcopal and Catholic
Churches.
All the city, county and Government
offices will be closed to-day, and special
holiday hours will be observed at the
post.ofiCe. Both theatres will be open
this afternoon and evening and they are
almost certain 10 be crowded to sutfoca.
ton on both occasions. The hotels will
spread regular feasts for dinner to-day,
and goodthings will be the order every
where.
While 1t will be a green Christmas
1t is bound to be a merry one.