The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-12-25
JOLLY CHRISTMAS.
The Mercury Drops Down as 1t
Ought To.
THE WEATHER GETS "CHRISTMASSY. .


about twenty degrees last night it
wouldn't have seemed at all like Christ
mas today. As it is most Of the citizens
of Topeka will have realized the date
prior to the delivery of tonlght's JOUR-
NAL
All during the past week Kansas ave-
nue. has been packed and everybody
on the streets had a big bundle, several
small bundles and an air Of mystery.
Its all over now. Empty is the stocking,
Christmas's gone The mysterious
bundles have exchanged owners. and
now there's nothing left but agreeable
recollections and little of the candy in
the bottom Of the box. the kind you
didn't like. Kansas avenue has been
beautiful to behold in the last few days.
The merchants of Topeka understand
how to cause effects in their show
windows. In fact the windows were so
enticing that many women forgot the
street was crowded and one had SIX col
lisiOns when she was trying 10 watch
jeweIry store merry gO-rOund
There IS at least one philosopher in
Topeka. and his philosophy Is the
subject of dinner, largely He remem-
bers how he Over-ate on Thanksgiving
Day-that was only a month ago. Today
he ate cold roast beef with brown gravy,
mashed potatoes, toast and coffee, with
pie for dessert He expects to feel
like a fighting cock in the morning.
There was time when it used to be
ones ambition TO be the first up on
Christmas to arouse the whole house by
cries of "Merry Chrlstmas." When one
gets elderly he wants to sleep late and
feels disposed to throw something at the
young scamp who does the same thing.
Christmas was generally observed by
the Sunday school children OF Topeka
last night At the First sbyterian
oh III ~r7a r,r1f
to the great delight Of about SOO good
boys and girls:
song, ~Joy to the World; Lords
Prayer; Greeting, Howard Combs;
Double Quartette, Recitation, Little
Rockets Christmas; Song, Primary De-
partment; Wheel Song; A Visit from St
Nicholas. and Pantomlme Exercises;
Distribution of candy bricks, and Re
citation by Henrietta Alexander.
At the First Methodist church they
had a stereOpucon exhibition by Mrs,
Richard Baker, interspersed with songs
and recitations. They gave away
the best candy the ladies could
buy and 600 pounds of the best a local
cOnfectioner could make
This children of the First COngrega-
tiOnal church had no end of fun posing
as fairies and brownies" They had a
May pole dance and plenty of music and
good things to eat
At Grace cathedral (EpiscopaD the
services were more elaborate. The
music consisted Of Christmas carols by
the vestried choir. Dean 1Iillspaugh
talked to the children regarding the sig
nifcance of the day. Rev. G. A Miner
read the scripture lesson. After the ser
vices the children enjoyed an immense
Christmas tree. The Episcopalians also
held a midnight service, and services to-
day.
At the First Baptist an enjoyable en-
far u inn Mt Of
songs, recitatiOns, tableaux, ETC. Santa
Claus was there. q
There were two small Christmas trees
at the Westminster Presbyterian church
last night
At the Central Congregational church
the Christmas entertainment was in the
form of cantata. Christmas trees were
there and music was furnished by a
double quartette.
The Sunday school children OF Potwin
will have their exercises tonight This
is their program:
Song, christmas Morn; prayer, Mr.
Oglevee; scripture reading; song, sGlo-
~ to God in the Highest" Miss Sheck's
class: recitation, what will Pa Say?'
Floyd Brockett; recitation, Miss Bailey's
class; books of Old Testament, Miss Da-
Wis class; song by school, "Ye Nations
Hear Him.; recitation. Donald Bruner;
recitation, The Flight of Winter" Car
RE Hoyt; "Carol Around the Christmas
Tree" school recitation, "Harryss Christ
mas Grace Williams; song, ave are
Little Tiny Tots" primary class; recita-
ton, Grace Vance; recitation, Herman
Wolfe; Christmas carol, school; song,
Florence and Alice Tucker; recitation,
"a Letter to Santa Claus" Alice Tucker:
postoffice opened by santa Claus and the
distribution of candy.
The Masonic bodies observed the day
with toasts and ritual. The Knights
Templar were especially devout in their
observance of Christmas.
The coIored citizens Of Topeka closed
their day Of rejoicing with a dance at
Metropolitan hall
As for the sports. they went out FIVE
miles into the suburbs last night and en-
joyed wrestling match between
Johnny Walker and Paddy Ogee
At the Madison Street Church.
The entertainment given last night at
the Madison street Baptist church was of
a high order of literary and musical
merit. and was the best bv far ever oiven
by that Sunday school Miss Blanche
File presided at the piano. The house
was prettiiy decorated and was made
more beautiful by the tapers that
lighted the evergreen tree pavilion. A
handsome sleigh stood under the pavil-
ion. filled with bags Of candies and nuts
and on the platform, blushing in the
light, were rudy Rome Beauty apples
and large, sweet Florida oranges. The
each received in addition to the
sweetmeats a beautiful booklet The
we're kindly remembered
by the superintendent, who be-
slowed upon all handsome books and
lastly the pastor was presented with a
handsome lamp and shade BY the entire
school 1t was = complete surprise to I
him. The exercises closed with the ex-
preston on every hand that this was the
best Christmas enjoyed at Madison
street Generous supplies were provid-