The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-12-24
CHRISTMAS CROWDS
They We're Just as Large as Ever
in the Shopping District,
But They Spent Heap Less Money than
Has Been Their WOnt-Oyer-
stocked with Trees.

Fleecy winter with it's jingling bells and
biting air, necessary essentials that go to
make up the old-time Christmas were sadly
lacking last night Instead, glorious flood
Of moonlight and an atmosphere or balmy
warmth suggested a typical Southern sea-
son. But there was not whit less OF the
rush and hustle, and glad mingling that
characterizes the Saturday night before
Christmas. Yesterday afternoon the streets
presented an unusual holiday appearance.
The larger stores of the city were thronged.
Through the business portion of the city
street-car traffic was almost blocked. out
bound cars carried a double burden, for
everybody was supplied with package or
a basket. After supper the activity IN
creased and at o'clock Washington street
held it's sea of humanity To the casual OBJ
server the crowds were made up OF the
well-dressed, contented people that, for
years, have made the midwinter holidays
in indianapolis famous.
To push through the good-natured crowds
and witness the many little incidents and
episodes that characterize American people
when massed together, the stranger would
scarcely dream that desperation was nght-
ing the wolf from many Indianapolis doors.
The pretty girl, just verging into woman
hood, was out, bevies of them trooping III
and out of the stores, making their little
purchases and not forgetting the molly ana
mistletoe The mother. in her spare gown
was down town. puzzling her brains over
something to buy for the little folks at
home. The father was along and 1t seemed
an insurmountable task, almost, to select an
appropriate filing for the slight stocking.
Santa Claus stalked abroad with a moder-
sadly partial in his investments, as ca
pricious money market has made MIN. 1t
was amorg the clerks and the progrieto ors
of the big stores that the depleted purse fse
was noticed. While there were many VINO
bought without regard to price there were
more who confined themselves TO modest
purchases. While the shoppers were en-,
thusiastic and happy, there is Seherai
disposition to patronize the cneaPer; 0oond
ters In the ieWelry stores the ulaiiloliu
market was sluggish Those ingenious ue-
signs of personal ornament that Went over
the counter with their sparkling setlihss
last year passed into the possession OF pur-
chaserS in less brilliant styles TINS season;
The dry goods and notion houses suliereu
likewise, and in all departments there was
a. general indication of short finances: as
an illustration of the last TWO Gays pusi.
ness in holiday supplies the manager OF
last Christmas his firm counted up the re,
ceipts for the day at o'clock, and found
on hand $3.50. Last Friday he states that
the crowds about the store were fully as
large and the firm expected an equal
amount of business. Their surprise was
great when, cashing up at night, 1t was
found that less than $500 had been taken
in during the day.
Christmas decorations in the way of holly
and mistletoe showed no particular falling
off, but there loud complaint among
the dealers in evergreens. Their sales fell
short, and many a dealer last night found
himself overstocked Yesterday Is cents
bought a very handsome Christmas tree
that a year ago would have readily brought
a dollar more. AT the postoffce and ex-
press offices the packages deposited were
In number fully up to the standard, but
the employees of the departments found that
the goods were usually composed OF small
articles. On the n arket the crowd appeared
larger than usual, and indications in every
department of the place foretold bountiful
tables. The crowds on the principal streets
last night tarried late and from O'clock
until nearly. midnight a special force of
police and detectives kept a Watchful eye
on the thrOng. Many Of the stores had
provided special decorations for windows,
and some of the displays were exceedingly
handsome and attractive. Few depreda-
tons were reported to the police, for the
crowd was bent only on shopping and see
ing what was exhibited.