The morning call., 1893-12-24
CHRISTMAS IN THE AIR.

Bundles, bundles, bundles; did any one
ever see as many bundles at one time as
were being carried about the streets YES
terday? They were not being carried
about to provide the carriers with exer-
else, but were being taken home to briug
cheer and happiness to the household to-
morrow. There we're all kinds of bundles
Some were big enough TO contain mat
tress ana others could be put in an envel-
one, but the good will with which they
were carried made all as light as feathers.
The biggest load noticed yesterday was
carried by German who weighed about
200 pounds. On his right arm was large
basket filled with good things. including a
turkey whose feet stuck out from bunch
OF celery. On his left arm was a large
rocking horse and several boxes contain
lng things that jngled like sleigh bells.
This would seem TO be load enough for any
body, but to top the thing off and give a
more harmonious finish to his makeup, the
heavy German also carried Christmas
tree about eight feet high There was no
denying the fact that it was heavy load.
but the man was smiling asif it was the
happiest moment in his life. 1t was
evident there were little ones at his home
waiting for him, and there was every pros
pect that they would DE made happy.
But the German was not the only one
who carried bundles-eyerybody seemed to
have one or more. Market street was i'm
Dassable nearly all of the afternoon and
until late In the night. There we're all
kinds OF people from the wealthy people
IN line furs to the poor child with hardly
clothes enough to cover IL. But all had to
have something for Christmas and went
from one place to another in search of an
article that would suit taste or purse
StOrekeeperS did good business as far
as the number of articles sold was
concerned. but prices ran much lower than
last year. 10 fact it was only the low
priced goods that sold in any quantity
AS great number of presents were sold as
ever, but people had to economic, but not
enough to forget Christmas entirely
1t was interesting TO watch the different
people select their presents. Some would
walk into the store aud pick ont such arti-
cles as suited their taste and mention the
place the bill should be sent. Diners who
had just as much money would pick over
everything In the store before making their
choice.
In contrast to these were those who had
very little money. They would spend a
long time looking in the windows and
then retire TO q corner TO count their small
change to see il they had enough to obtain
the coveted articles. Then there were
children who had with them the contents
Ct the tin bank that had been broken open
in the morning. 1t was a serious matter,
the spending of the hoard, and often hours
were consumed in deciding whether baby
brothers should have jumping-j jack or
tin whistle. However, they all decided
and were soon with the tbrong that was
carrying bundles.
None seemed so poor as to be unable to
purchase some reminder for O. friend
knowing possibly the JOY they would i'm
part TO the receiver
Even the cOid, unpleasant rain, which
came down early in the evening did not
Keep the people from buying presents.
Some OF them had umbrellas and mackn-
tOshes TO keep the rain off their bundles
and great many did not. These were
compelled to put their purchases under
their outer garments and make a run for
their cars, so as not TO allow their precious
bundles to get wet.
The streets were nearly as crowded dur
Ing the evening as they were ia the after
noon. The rain poured down steadily.
but they kept going from one store to an
other, continually adding to their bundles
IL made no difference to them if their
clothes were soaked and their hoes full of
water. Christmas was at hand and must be
properly observed.
Not many children were ont lint two
little colored boys attracted considerable
attention. They were not over wears
old, unusually small, and carried al enor-
nous umbrella that nearly hid them from
sight. They had to buy several presents
with little money, and long consultations
In front OF store windows were necessary
before decision could be made. They
went up and down Market street several
times before they succeeded in purchasing
large wooly goat an express-wagon,
four or five interestin e. looking boxes and
large bag of candy When they had
these things uuder the umbrella il was
pretty hard to tell where the boys were
except for their broad smiles which could
be seen occasionally.
And there were dozens of other people
just IN the same gleeful condition They
walked around from store to store through
the drizzling rain and the Pickering lights
laying in stock of good things, ana all
hoping to'spend happy Christmas.