The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-12-23
BUSY XMAS SCENES
STREETS CROWDED FROM MORNING
TILL NIGHT WITH SHOPPERS.
Merchants Reaping q Rich Hary est
From the Christmas Trade--The
Children All Squaring Them
selves With Santa Claus,
Ideal Weather Prevails.
Christmas is near at hand.

Verify, Christmas is near at hand.
There was JOY and happiness IN tn.
hearts of thousands of Christmas shop
pers yesterday. when the morning dawned
bright and clear, and afterward developed
into AN ideal Kansas day. The streets OF
the city presented an animated and busy
appearance as the happy throngs of men,
women and children poured out into the
street of the city to an extent that kept
clerks, cashiers and cash. boys en- the jump
from an early hour in the morning until
late at night.
The habit of bestowing presents on
Christmas is possibly more extensively
INDUCED in in America than in any other
country. Santa Claus seems to have alb
solutely established his home in the New
World. While he seems to have peculiar
leaning towards the little ones, to whom
he brings SO much JOY and pleasure, his
generosity is extended to those of all ages
and conditions For the little tots. he ever
has the tenderest feeling, and his eyes have
their kindliest CLEAN as he mentally
Jots down their names and measures
the capacity of the stockings that will
be SO eagerly suspended in a few days.
The merchants of the city have an I'M
usually large and handsome stock Of
Christmas articles aud thousands of
Wichita's citizens yesterday seemed TO be
engaged in an earnest, industrious. untir-
ing, exploring expedition. 1t was a happy
and contented multitude, from the rich
vsitants of jewelry and bric-a-brac estab-
Establishments to those in the humber
walks of life, to whom not only every dol
lar, but well nigh every cent is matter of
serious Importance.
The loyalty of tradition, the love, affec-
ton and friendship which actuate the
minds of humanity at this joyous epoch,
seems to rise superior to all obstacles the
human heart seems to be as large as ever,
even if money is not so plentiful. While
the giver may not be so lavish in purchas-
ing presents, the grand spirit of Christmas
is as enduring as time itself. and is as
characteristic of the people now as ever it
was.
There is something intensely interest
ing about holiday shopping, whether it be
to select the tokens of regard or to lay in
1t is not every giver who can
bring his or her mind to the solution
of the knotty problem what to give.
The tempting alurements of the
many stores, both in the windows and the
counters inside, the enticing inducements
advertised in the newspapers, all alike
fail to meet the requirements of some
would-be investors Mothers and fathers
are usually rapid in their decisions as to
the character of the present and they don't
hesltaee long in purchasing After all,
while older folks may indulge more ex-
pensiveiy in Christmas presents, it is
when the youngsters are con cerned that
the greatest interest is conferred,
Mamma and papa may plan surprises
for each other and for older offsprings
but for them the mysteries and delights of
Christmas, extensive aud varied though
they may be, can attain no such elysium
as with the children.
Santa Claus is everywhere to be seen.
Pictures Of him are hung up in every
window; he appears on hand bills, alma
macs, calenders, and in every imaginable
thing. There are two live Santa Claus on
and whatever they do the bal
ance of the year to impress the public,
there is no doubt but what they are the
most popular men in town this week.
Children bow down before them. as
il they were monarch's They
are looked upon as people who
are to be venerated and the smiles they
get from the ladies and the confidential
chats they have with the children amply
repay them for the MISERY they endure in
a hot show window and the sweat they
have to go through while they are wrapped
up for ten hours in furs suitable for out
door life in Lapland. 1t touches The heart
10 see little tots sneak up behind them,
pull at their furS, tell them contidentially
what they want for Christmas and then
walk away happy in the blind faith that
hey will get exactly what they ask for.
The children are the life and the Joy of
Christmas. To be sure they cost good
ieal, but what matters that to the bliss of
which they taste The man who
would begrudge the expenditure of few
dollars to make his children happy at
Christmas has no heaven waiting for him
n the hereafter; and if he had he would |
ack the the capacity TO enjoy it. whats |
he use of spending money for things that |
will ee thrown away next week." is cold /
philosophy. The impressions made on the |
little children on Christmas with these |
PRESENTS are lasting and will endure long |
.fter the presents themselves are thrown
way aud destroyed.
CHRISTMAS NOTES
The exercises in the West Side schools I
esterday afternoon were of the most
leasing character. In the Mccormick
every room was visited by Santa
'laus, in the person of Mr.. Fred Bell. the
anitor. who presented every pupil with a
OK of candy and sack of nuts, the gift
( the teachers. Two or three little tikes.
isitors at the schools, were nearly fright
ned out of their wits by the sudden and
nexpected appearance of st. Nick. But
WAS soon restored" when the
andy made its appearance. a literary
nd musical program was carried out.
In the Franklin school different policy
as pursued. The teachers announced
nat the money, at first intended TO be
pent in providing something to tickle the
lncy OF the children, would be used to
rovide some substantial gift for destitute
antilles in the city, and the noble hearted
oys and girls responded with cheerful
apping OF the hands. for which the
,achers thanked Them. Literary aud
Iusical programs were rendered. Also aud
ANY very creditable performances being
wen.
The children have enjoyed the sights in
lie windows in the highest degree They !
,uld be seen singly aud in squads, or
it'll mamma or papa gazing with wish
Il. longing eyes at the thousand and one
ticles dear to the juvenile heart .
One little fellow, about as tall SIS a
chin rooster, was seen last night in ! ,
ont Of the Boston store, seated on q ,