The critic., 1890-12-24
TuI DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
The Strccts Fitted with Holiday shop
pcrS- Remembering the Poor.

The Strcots Fitted with Holiday shop
pcrS- Remembering the Poor.
When the shadows flash and fade in the
lingering gicams OF the Day-Kings light,
who stretches his great golden arms high
in the crimson heavens and with one last
carcSs on the darkcning earth sink,
10 rest under tho imporious will of
Nights swift messengers, It's then that
baby eyes grow heavy and sweet childish
lips lisp the petition, Mamma I'm so
sccpy; rock me-" After baby has been
undrcsscd she often regrets bedtime and
cyinces disposition TO prattlc the hours
away, but out OF the mystic land of No
where mother coniurc the sand" man
and the "boogic" man, who weave their
potent spell around the little one until
she slumbers like the tired child she is.
hut tonight the magic spirits will be
invoked by the fond parents all over the
world in vain. For there is ono time in
the year the imaginative demons art
loses its power.
On Christmas eve. when boys and girls
who have not yet learned the emptiness
uf the fairest idol in childhood's happy
yearS, that leDscndary saint, Santa Claus,
at whose shrine, in infantilc fancy, we
have bowed the rcvcrcntial knee, and
later iJilife regarded, with the cynicism
horn of maturity. have been tucked snugly
IN bed. lay awake and listen for the tinkie
tinkic. tinkle OF the bells that bring from
the North the dispenser of childrcn's
Happiness.
But they wait and watch in vain. for
soon the drowsy god woos these trusting
ones to sweet dreams, to he broken on the
morrow by the eager awakening and on
toymcW a Kris Kriuglo's gift, bestowed
thronsh the agency of fond parcnts, who,
in their pursuit OF these secret pleasures,
filled thc city's busy streets last night and
to-day.
Along Fifteenth street, down the Ave
rue and UP Seventh throng of mon, wo-
mon and children hurried with happy
iaccs and parcel laden arms on their mis-
s'ors Of generosity. In the stores the
purchasers blocked the entrances and
lined the counters in such numbers that
the clerks could hardly find time to hear
the 'inquirpIS. whose persistence has
vcavcd new lines on the shop girls tired
fares.
All day long the street has resouuded
tn the dull rumble of numerous wagons
IL aded from the top to the tail-gatc with
mysterious packages containing tokens of
the kindly feeling that possesses the heart
,n The day which celebrates the birth of
The mangcr-cradlcd Christ. Bu, alas.
midst this happiness thore comes re-
tic' Fer those whose star of hope twinkles
ihlrtN OH nutntS Ol CnetrleSi comfort ana
grim poverty. These children of mis-
frittihe can lie noticed on the busy thor
oughfarcs Watching, with gloomy eyes
that stare from faces haggard and drawn
with the knowledge of n dismal Christmas,
their more fortunate brothers
But "ics uiScrdJles" talSo heart; amidst
the oailpus indifference of the worlds
dwellers the boncvolonce of some shine
like dow-wa grasses in the summer sun.
The Christmas clubs will gladden. many
hearts at their annual dinner to the poor
children who are otherwise unprovidcd
for.
December q the East Washington Club
Will be at home 20 the little ones at odd
Fellows Hall on the Navy Yard.
Tho same day the West End Christmas
Club dine COO children at the National
Eihe,' Armory
The q. a. II. give n Christmas dinner to
the widows and orphans of Veterans at the
Washington Light Infantry Armory.
The inmates of the Industrial Home
viii he looked after by the board of gov
cinors on Christmas day.
Besides these societies mentioned many
persons will contribute their share to re-
l'cying The want and distress which is so
noticeable at this season of the year.
Suits and Overcoats reduced to SiiS5.
IiSCman brO9 n aud II