The record-union., 1891-12-21
BESELENA'S" LETTER.
They Are to Have Christmas Up in
Oregon, Also.
"Whaleback'' Steamboats, Coming Into
Favor Along the Northern Coast
-Sky-Scraping Buildings.

EDS. RECoRD-UNIoN: Christmas, with
its attending mirth and jollity, is rapidly
approaching. There is an unmistakable
scent OF good cheer in the air. Faces
wear a brighter, better look, and for the
time old hatreds and all illwill seem to
be forgotten. These are the times when
nearly everyone you meet carries mys-
terious-looking bundle, their faces
wreathed in smiles. as they think Of the
surprise and pleasure it will give to some
beloved one.
The stores have,assumed gala appear
| ance, and are a bewildering array Of
bright and pretty things to tempt the eye
and tighten the purse. The brilliant WIN
dows are indeed pleasing contrast to the
bleak gray sky, the falling rain and the
muddy streets.
There are a great many disadvantages
to be contended against if one be small
For instance, you are small woman in
| a hurry; big man insists upon walking
directly in front of you in such manner
that you cannot pass, no matter how hard
you try. The big man turns into the
very store you are bound for, but instead
of going in stands with the door half
open, his arms stretched across the door
way. You don't know how long he is
going to stand there; you can't wait, so
you dodge under his arms. Then you
think you have gotten rid Of him, but you
haven't. lie stalks i'll, and with a few
immense strides goes TO the very clerk
you wanted yourself. Then he gives his
order in a slow, calm, deliberate way that
makes you wish you were bigger man
than he is, and had taken boxing lessons
| in the Multnomah Athletic Club.
Electricity is conceded by all to be a
very good and very useful thing; but
when the electric cars break down be-
fore they have gone over half their jour
ney, on q dark and rainy night, you be-
gin to think it isn't quite such good
| Thing. AS you hoist your flag of distress
and plod through the mud, with the wind
blowing a miniature hurricane, you in
wardIy resolve to hencetorward patron
iZe the horse cars, for even If they are
slow they get there just the same.
Speaking of street cars reminds me OF
the oft-repeated question, why do so
few women thank man when he gives
her his seat in a carp She will sweep
into it with the air of an injured queen.
without even a nod of the head in
acknowledgment. Yet there are women
who are disappointed when men do not
show them the little attentions SO dear to
the feminine heart. Men are vain
creatures, and like to be thanked for
their acts of politeness. If the fair sex
| would remember this they would fare
better from the lords of creation.
One cannot help but admire the candOr
and frankness Of Chicago in selecting the
hog for their souvenir spoon. The hog is
q notably selfish animal, devouring every
thing in sight, and is fitting emblem
for the city Of ''Porkopolis.''
The new 'Whaleback" steamer is now
in Astoria. On account of her great car
|
her, and the small amount of water
necessary to float her Fifteen feet when
heavily loaded), there is no question that
this style of craft will take the place of
all others in the coast trade. They have
! already laid out the new town of Everett,
Wash, where this style of ship is to be
constructed. They expect to employ
from 10000 to Is, ,000 men in the work
A gentleman of this city was one even
ing calling on a friend who lives in one of
the recently erected, sky-scraping build
| ings. The gentleman was delighted with
his room, which was on the top floor He
called his friends attention to all the
modern improvements-elect lights,
! steam heaters, ETC., and ended his rapt-
ures by asking why his caller did not
move in? About II O'Clock lamp was
| lit. and the visitor was informed that at
that hour the electric lights were put out
and the elevator stopped running. Then
/ the visitor decided 1t was time to go. AS
he arose the lights went out. The host
procured box of matches and lighted
! the way of his friend down innumerable
! dark passages and break-neck stairs. AS
they emerged in the street the caller
turned and said, Say, why don't you
move out?" His host thought of the
many stairs to be again reclimbed in the
dark, for the box of matches had given
out, and only heaved sigh-a dismal
sigh-in response. BEsELENA.
Portland or, Dec. Is, 1891.