The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-12-20
CHRISTMAS SIGNS AND TIMES.
The Savannah Small Boy Getting
Ready for a Large Celebration.

| me Savannah Small Boy Getting
Ready for a Large Celebration.
The Christmas spirits have been bubbliny
and effervsscing in the minds Of the small
boys of Savannah for many days, and even
weeks, past. and as the great DAY approaches
they are heated almost 60 boiling point.
The spirits which fill the small
boy and animate him TO deeds
noisy, excitable aud diabolical differ
somewhat in composition from the spirits
which many of his older compeers are wont
to I'LL up" with during tee Christmas times,
with an enlivening and Outlines unsteady
ing effect, but the spirits of youthful lnnc-
| cence are equally provocative OF dev1ltry.
For weeks the boys have been storing away
barrels and boxes for their Christmas
bOnfres. Hundreds, probably thousands
of barrels. are now lying hidden away in
sta bles, sheds and back yards within the
limits of Savannah, awaiting the advent OF
the joyful twenty-fifth. and every one
OF these barrels, or at least SO per cent. of
them, was stolen. No boy regards it as
any harm to steal barrel. In fact, a mer-
chant, who never was boy, said the other
day that no Savannah boy would enjoy
burning barrel that wasn't stolen
Just at dusk is the favorite time for the
barrel reids to begin, and the close watcher
any afternoon will SEQ boys in twos and
threes slipping out Of the lanes with barrels
on their shoulders, OF quietly rolling them
along as if they were paid by the hour to
do that particular work Woe to the mer-
chant who leaves his cellar door
unguarded Fifty barrels have been
k1own to disappear in a night.
1t was favorite sport With the boys TWO or
three weeks ago to pack barrel with straw
and burn it in the middle of the grass plats
III the squares, but the police summary
shut down on the fun by bringing half
dozen of the offenders before the mayor.
As q MORNING NEWS reporter was COM
ing down town the other night after sup
per he heard "bang," followed by cries OF
police" Thinking somebody was shot
and there was column article in it, he
turned about, only to discover lot Of little
rascals running out of one of the squares 10
great glee. They had exploded a cannon
cracker under barrel and were skipping
from the police
1t is the nature Of the small boy to make
a noise Christmas. Firecrackers and Christ
mas are ms parably associated in his mind,
and in that of many of his elders. too. The
dealers have a plentiful supply Of all the
old varieties of crackers, candles and rock
cts on hand, and lot of the latest Chinese
novelties.
An unsympathizing city ordinance stands
in the way Of the full enjoyment OF this
sport however. Inc SuOSCAnce Oh III, III bhe
following notice from the chief of police, is
published for the benefit of these who OK
pect to turn loose the crackers:
The ordinance of the city forbids the firing
of guns, pistols and other firearms anywhere |
and at any time within the corporate limits.
The firing of sky-rockets, whee[rockets, |
roman candles serpents, firecrackers, and |
other fireworks, or of any other articles or |
things containing gunpowder, Illuminating |
powder, or other explosive or decorating sub |
stances, and the making Of bontres. except In |
the extended portion of Forsyth place and in |
the public squares Of the city south OF Liberty |
street, and tDen only five days before and ten |
days after Christmas day. and the Fourth Day /
of July in each and every year, is also positively
prohibited by the ordinance of the city.
The members Of the police department are
ordered to arrest all persons found violating |
these ordinances, and to be unusually vigilant |
during the approaching holidays in checking |
promptly ali improper Irregularities and dis |
orders detrimental to good order and to the |
proper protection Of life and property.
Chief Green expects to enforce the ordi- |
nance, and has given orders to the police to |
that effect. The police will have a weary |
time of it, 1t is feared, during the holidays |
The ordinance has been honored in the |
breach rather than the observance hereto
fore. and the boys will have their fun in
spite Of the blue coats, or, as the English
lad would saw the "bobby"