The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS.
THE PRESIDENT ENGAGBD EXAM
ING PARDON PAPERS.
Moro Than Dozen Prisoners win Receive
his CIemency This week-FTepara-
tions Going ON For the Holidays.
Tnsrs BUErlu, RArLrY BUnDNo,

W,sniNoroN. December 2S. 1898. I
The brightest OF an bright days was
,.re to-day. and the thousands Of busy
t.,ers and the hundreds OF hand-carts
oued with holly. mingled with miste-
Too and the great presence Of kindly
ceiling and friendliness was apparent
.,o sprrecablc everywhere. No single
49, c,o ever De like Christmas, and
49, coolest. Ioncliest man on earth. alein-
,t.d from friends and divorced from
,,,oi,ess. feels underneath a stern ex-
,,-,or a warmth. and glow, and glad
5,,ior Of hIs heart which he cannot
srqe. although ne may conceal. They
csu u the cnildreus day and truly -
is largely theirs, but while they reyel
lu gladucss. frolic, and unstinted glee,
tie gray haired man and matron have
era experience peculiarly their own.
Above the drumbeaung of the children
and the horn and bugle blowing OF the
lively lads, there breaks upon the ears
az maturity the echoes ot long ago,
which sounds cannot silence. and which
tumult cannot destroy. 'Tis a happy
holy time. ana the tin cups Of beggars
upon the avenue to-day clink with coin
poured upon coin, where one week ago
"A nickel ratified upon its empty bottom.
God SIS good, and people are all sun
human. and hearts melt under the star
Of Bethlehem like the taper yields When
fs light SIS kudled. Men are better, Wo-
men are dearcr. life is sweeter all Tor
Christmas. yet with it's solemn saoden-
ing. sacred sweetness it brings 10 many
O. mind reconcctions Of a KIND that burn
like the fine that tempers the steel, and
that Furnishes the stone.
Tho sage Around the Hearthstone.
Around q hundred happy hearth-stones
win sit some sage who lives on Christ
mas-day amid the scenes and pleasures
of the past. The gaudiy equipped tree
in the corner is nothing 10 him beyond
the happiness the children have. He is
dreaming OF the years ago when the
ample stocking by the chimney. and the
homely Joys OF the boys and girls glad
dened his heart almost TO madness, and
brought rccOmpense for all the hardships
Of the year. Those days now are touch
ca by quickened memory, like the pic
ture upon which the CLEAN Of sunshine
rests, are 10 him
Dear as remembered kisses after death,
And sweet as those by hopeless fancy
feigned
on lips that are for others; deep as love,
Deep as first love, and Wild with all
regret;
death in Ife the days that are no
more
Congressmen Swanson and Marshall two
OF the most assiduous workers In Con-
gress, are still here, and up TO the last
hour this morning were about the de-
partments endeavoring 70 have appoint |
ments made and post-onices changed |
They both leave for home tomorrow.
The Presidents Callers.
The President had a good many callers /
THIS morning. but in most caves the1
were congressman and senators, who pre-
sented themselves TO wish him merry |
Christmas. before leaving for the festiW-
ties OF ;Lair own homes.
Senator Ransom, OF North Carolina, VINO |
leaves for home tomorrow morning, spent |
q half hour with the President but the |
rall was only = social one.
The only Official documents signed at the
White House to-day were pardOns. Until
the early hours of this morning the Presi-
dent. alone in his office, patiently examin-
sd a huge pile of manuscript on his desk
before him. Sheet after sheet Of legal cap
vas closely scrutniZed. case after case
nilutely reviewed and laid es!de with an
iucible sigh OF disappointment. Occasion
II the face OF the tired worker ut up
I'M a smile OF satisfaction as the prac-
ed eye discerned a ray of hope, an
excuse even for executive interference, and
With giad heart he CLdorCsd the neatly
olded paper This pardon is granted
iOre than % dozen cases rewarded the
oncly wgHs of the wearied toilcr. and
hen on Chrstmas-Day the prison door
s. opened. and the once hopelegsly con-
'emnci stems forth in the glad light of
iods sunshine, 1t is but fitting that the
'eiis shall chime Peace on earth and
GOODWILL 20 men,"
Christmas az the whitehousc.
Pomp and pride have no abiding place
d the kind loving and sympathetic hearts
Z the White House and the sweet, ten !
er presence of Mrs. Cleveland and the
title ones, impart 20 the old mansion OF
old gray stone, the warmth of affection |
hat alone can bring 10 an within its
wallis The elad iidags and happiness that
re part OF chustmas-Day Each one
i The inmates has been remembered. and
indiy tokens distributed which VIII be
aafaed as ire. sufes 10y the recipients
Or an hcir after lives. Nor have the
ilenqs That are far away been forgotten
NH nay yesterday, Charlie Loenier. the
res ioents ooorkecper. was kept busy
'.i eeunt packages some large. some small.
.4 49, '',..'s uone up in brown paper. stamp
]
'oruon OF the Union have bean rar,or,,
,eIea' ana in many cases the homes of Z
ne poor ana ioN'y have been gladdened I
y lhe Hunhtohthl remembrance which ! ,
ccompanled The MERRY Cbr,stmas
FISHES" mas
Few Nirgiuiaus at the Capitol, /
There are very few virginians or North ,
'arolinians here az present ana IN i p
ew names among The transients on the =
otel registers only serve 90 mark fbe =
assage of those homeward-bound for the
lristmas holidays
Aessrs. G. q. Cump Jr.. OF Vireinls.
homas l.. Walton. w. d. Burbaco and
Ohm %. Futrai. Of the University or :
irsinia, are az the ST. James. i
General Cox OF North Carolina. and A. +
. Wood, Of Virginia: j. II. Mcclure. OF 7
ichmond ana l.. o. Brlghtwell. OF Glen \
uton. Va. are 90 the Howard
Messra. St. George Tucker Jr.. Of Roa- 4
'ke. Va. and Miss Bruton, Of Staunton, y
.e az the National. il. l.. w. q
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