Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-23

IL the chaplain OF the home. will invoke
the divine blessing. after which the vete'
rams will partake OF q sumptuous repast
During dinner the West End Musical Club
will render various musical selections
The oysters for the dinner were con-
trsbution from Pickett Buchanan Camp
Confederate Veterans. OF Norfolk, and
the milk by the Richmond Cream, But.
ter and MIX Company, OF this city.
The westmoreland Club will have their
usual reception for the members Christ
mas-eve. The supper viii be spread In
the billiard-room.
The Commonwealth Club will keep open
house Christmas-day.
There will be a Christmas dinner AT
| the Retreat for the Sick. The inmates OF
the almshouse and the jail viii be given
special dinners.
FINE CHRISTMAS MARKET.
The market-houses Of Richmond took
on a typical Christmas appearance yes
terday. They flooded with all sorts OF
| good things 10 eat. embracing almost
| every deiicacy that Is seen here at this
season. Turkeys and fowls OF all kinds
| were on hand in the greatest abundance,
| and the fish, and oyster-stands con-
/ tanned very large stocks OF almost every
| variety OF these popular articles Of food.
| There was also a proportionate quantity
! OF fruit and vegetables at the markets.
| and the produce feature was by no means
| behind the others. Prices for nearly all
| the meats. for butter. eggs. and fruits
| were remarkably low, and the probability
is that everybody will be enabled to get
nice Christmas dinner tomorrow at
a very small cost
AMERICAN TOBACCO COMPANY.
To the employees OF the American To.
bacco Company In this city Christmas 10
always a joyous season. Never do the
proprietors permit the closing festival OF
the year 10 pass without making to their
employees munifcent gifts. This year was
no exception TO the rule. except that the
gifts were Of even more magnitude than
those Of previous Christmases. Yesterday
Mr. John Pope made circuit of the
factories. and. after he had made
short speech OF thanks 10 the men. wo-
men. and children, thanking them for the
faithfulness with which they had per-
formed their duties during the year, the
manager OF each department began the
distribution of presents.
The ceremonies at the Kinney Branch
were decidedly the most interesting. Here,
in a lower room, were spread out on
tables 40 turkeys, ranging in weight
from TO 20 pounds. Each turkey was
numbered, and corresponding numbers
were placed in box. from which the
colored employees-every one In the fac
tory--were permitted to draw. The turkey
In each case which corresponded with the
number drawn by the employee was pre-
sented to the holder. Just before this. Mr.
Pope assembled all OF the darkies in a
room. and asked them TO sing for him
This they did with will, and such
melody Is seldom heard. The good
natured managing-director then offered
three crisp, new dollars for the three best
singers. and this spurred the melodous
ones TO do their best. and the music they
made woulu have caused almost any
trained chorus to blush for shame.
To the white employees OF the depart
ment boxes OF candy. in each OF which
was placed an amount Of money. were
given. With each gift was the following
letter, signed by the manager Of the de-
partments: Enclosed we hand you
Christmas-gift, asking that you accept
II as a memento Of faithful service du-
ring the past year.
I'VE trust that in the year to come I've
shall have tn" pleasure and satisfaction
of finding you interested and doing good
work. and that our association may be
mutually agreeable and beneficial. Wish
ing YOU the compliments OF the season,
we are, yours truly,
AS soon as the exercises we're over.
the operatives were paid off, and given
a half-hoiiday.
PRESENTS TO PRINCIPALS.
The principals and teachers in the public
schools were. as usual. the recipients Of
many handsome presents. Mr.. Julian Il.
Thomas, principal OF the High School.
was given a revolving bookcase by the
teachers, dlctlonf ry-rest by the girls,
and a gold-headed umbrella by the boys.
All wers very handsome Mr. James c.
Harwood, tho assistant principal, received
handsome rocking chair from the boys.
a Morocco copy Of Shakespeare from his
class, and several smaller presents. AS
there was no regular assembly on FRI
day. The boys presented their tokens of
affectionate esteem in the play-room be-
fore school was called in.
The Christmas exercises at Leigh-street
school were full Of interest, and the
friends and patrons who assembled 10
attend them were cordially welcomed by
the principal. Mr.. Ellhu Morrissette. The
school sung several selections end there
were either recitations or songs by Blanche
kauINaLn Anna iSeChy, JESSIE " 'iii''4''.'
John Gressitt, Wena Newman, Minnie
Witte Lena Miller, Eta Samuels, Annie
Traylor, Emily Blake, and Emy Hartung.
The programme concluded with Mother
Goose"
Major James II. Capers. n member or
the School Beard. dropped In during tile
exercises and made a happy .i0dress ID
the teachers and scholars. The school pre-
scented Mr. Morrissettc with very hang
some banquet-lamp and stand ccmbin-",
and he received number OF Individual
presents. There was a general exchange
OF the compliments Of the season between
the teachers and scholars.
NOTES OF THE SEASON.
Thursday evening Mr. George Harrison
at his residence, No. 1l2 south Third
street, gave card party and wine supper
10 the clerks OF the Life Insurance Com
pany OF Virginia.
Among those who gathered around the
tables were Messrs. c. 5. Hunt A. S.
Hunt, George Harrison. NJ. c. Gillian,
W. 4. jenkins. II. Il. Lewis. DR.. i. W.
Allen, George Bott. G.. f. Wilkes. James
Tyler. Tom Wallace, T. NJ. Hobson, and
w. S. Daughtrey.
Friday evening the congregation OF The
Third Presbyterian church give their be-
loved pastor. Rev. MIR. Cannon, a pound
party The contributions were bounuful
and the lardcr was wei. stocked.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. j. Il. Harding,
superintendent Of the Metropolitan Life
Insurance Company. presented each OF his
local agents with Christmas present.
Before doing so he made them an address,
thanking them for their fidelity and eff
cheney. The married men were given
turkeys and the single ones neckwear
The Christmas fund of the Postal Tele-
graph messenger boys, amounting TO
Sl6357. was divided out yesterday after
noon. and each boy received sll.57. L. b.
Beaaley and John Angle. who collected
the funds. were given S extra. The boys
desire TO return their thanks to all who
contributed TO the fund. and wish a
merry Christmas to all.
AMONG THE SECRET ORDERS.