The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
A TIN-HORN BRIGADE.
A mhRDLGRxs SCENE on Broad
STREET SATURDAY. SIGHT.
The Mali Il Light But the Express Compa.
niss Doing a Rushing BusIness--Crowd-
ed stores, and streets Thronged.


and pleasure bent
Excitement reigned and the explosion
of fire crackers was music as COM
pared with the ain of the Tin horn. when
was royalty in evidence, from the long.
old canal freight boat variety down TO ths
newest tin edition OF peace destroyers.
Two streams as Irresistible as Niagara
flowed up and down the south side OF
street. and a close observer would soon
make the discovery that many were
promenaders, out for fun and to see and
be seen.
A pretty girl with a discordant tin
horn. is novelty. an innovation In
which great violence f. done all precon-
ceived nOtlons of feminine gentleness,
but when she is multiplied into hundred
with horn uplifted, checks extended, and
neTve-racbng. ear-splitting. hendish rasp-
ing blasts emanating from her instruments
OF torture, she Is become a very demon.
And yet. this was her role last night.
Not a man or hoy, who was her most gal.
liant escort, enjoyed the Wild noise, and
abandon of every day decorum more than
she.
a Saving Clause.
Praise Cod she did not drink. and az
least did not rival the wild and reckless
youth except in the harmless enjoyment
OF the hour. Having had her lark. she
will go TO church to-day. demure and
gentle as If she had not been out with
the boys"
The stores were hives OF business up
to the midnight hour, and every ono
with things to sell did driving trade.
Many remembered at the eleventh hour
that Monday Is Christmas and Sunday In
teryened. The scramble was painful
to these. but amusing to him who was
a leisurey spectator.
1t was indeed n stirring scene. full OF
life and joity
IL was estimated last evening az .
o'clock that five thousand people filed
the side walks from First 70 Ninth on
Broad. One-haif Of these were patrons
Of the stores In search Of things for the
Christmas stocking and the balance were
there for all the fun they could get out
of cannon crackers. tin horns egg-nog,
ond general hilarity
Mai and EXPRESS.
The holiday mail at the Richmond post.
office is the smallest and lightest for
many years and the stamp sales have been
proportionately light. The great piles
OF boxes and packages which are won't
to fiji every available space and drive
almost 10 madness distributing clerks
and carriers, are conspicuous by their
absence.
Usually for a week previous 20 Christ
mas the post-ofilce force I'm every de-
partment are overworked with the immense
influx OF holiday matter, coming and
going in equal quantities. Last week
there was very little increase I'm the bulk
or mail handed. Postmaster Russell
looks on this as an infallble evidence
OF the want OF money among the people
generally and says that he has never
known so small mail at this season OF
the year.
The situation at the. Southern Express
office, however was different and the re-
ceiving counter for packages has been
as crowded the last two DAYS as the paw
Ing tellers window at city bank Just
before three o'clock Saturday Boxes,
bundles and packages poured I'm until
special arrangements had TO be made for
their care. a portion Of the floor space
was barricaded off. and behind IL on tho
hoor were piled enough Christmas gifts
to furnish commissary for Santa Claus,
and the big arriving aud outgoing express
wagons were filled to the top Of theIr
arched covers with packages of every
size and description
Church Decorations.
In keeping with the tenor Of the season
and the sacredness Of the occasion, tho
sonbre aspect of the churches has been
relieved by decorations OF evergreen hol-
~ and cedar wreaths.
From a long-establlshed custom, this
observance Of Christmas in the churches
by decorations is mostly confined TO the
Episcopallans, though not entirely 80.
The church-goers to-day will see new
clothes galore-dresses that fail OF de-
scription. suits that are faultless. but
after all nothing will bring the true mean
ing Of Christmes so closely home as tho
sight OF Gods house clothed in holiday
attire.
IL mpresses the fact that we celebrate
the birthday Of Him from whom the
origin Of the greatest OF anniversaries
comes.
The sacredness OF the day makes itself
felt, and our worship is the better FOR Il,
our thoughts purer for the lodgment OF
the fact within our minds that II is tho
Lords day.
Houses Closed.
The banks the post-ofice, government
and city departments. and many Of tho
places OF business will be closed Monday,
but a number Of the retail stores who
closed last night at y o'clock with many
customers at their counters, will open
during the morning hours.
A. the v. W. q. A.
General Secretary George f. 'ribbifts.
Assistant Secretary w W. Turner. and
several active members were busy all day
yesterday decorating the interior OF the
building Of the Young Mems Christian AS
ISOLATION with holly, branches OF pine
trees. and others greens. The work was
done In the most thorough manner. and
IL can be said 10 the credit Of Mr.. Tib-
bits and his assistants that the rooms
never offered a prettler appearance.
There will be a praise service held In
the library and reading-room this after
/ noon, 10 which all young men are In
| yited.
| Tomorrow afternoon A reception will
| be given in honor OF the lady friends OF
the members while in the evening
/ campfire will be held for the members
and their gentlemen friends Refresh+
| ments will be served on that occasion,
| and donations In that line will be thank
/ fully received from friends OF the associa.
/ ton.
/ Mr. r. S. Bosher. OF the board OF dlrec-
tors yesterday donated for that purpose
! boz Of oranges and basket OF choice
1 apples.
/ In former years there has been always
a public celebration az the Male orphan
/ Asylum. This year the Christmas tree
I will be fixed up for the boys as usual,
but no invitations will be extended 20 tho
public. The board OF directors Will, OF
I course. be present on that occasion. and
the celebration will probably be fixed fof
next Thursday afternoon.
The ladies Of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union held prayer and
praise service In the parlor OF the Young
| Mems Chrisiian Association yesterday
morning at II O'clock 10 celebrate the
twentieth anniversary OF their organiza-
/ ton.
IA ~ a RNFNuH .. q.