Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-14
appreciation of the dear girls Christmas

The shops are very attractive these days,
but in addition to the Yule-tide jollity that
Is so conspicuous, there are many little
serio-comedies that merge on tragedies of
everyday life. Such a one occurred the
other day when two handsomely dressed
gay girls passed through the holiday de-
partment of one CT the frequented stores
on lark. Pricing this article and that
they finally addressed a sweet-looking girl
whose back was turned toward them ask
ing the cost of some trifle. AS she turned
to reply there was a start on both sides,
and one of the would-be purchasers ex-
claimed: why. Nellie, what in the world
are you doing hereo"
Flushing at the question which the new
ness of her position rendered evidently en-
| barrasSing, the young woman, whose
change of circumstances was apparently
| not known to her former friends, replied
with an attem?t at dignfied mirth, I'm
| playing. don't you see?"
i; *
! The hand organs and street pianos of the
town have added fresh tune to their rep
ertoire; that Is, 1t Is fresh in the ears of the
| present generation but a conversation be-
! tween one Of the youngsters and his grand
father heard on the promenade the other
! day indicates that a revival Of old tunes is
| going on.
! What is that funny thing that man Is
| playing over there?" queried young
know-al of ten; lit is mighty poor tune.
| whatever 1t Is
THAT sounds very familiar" hummed his
companion. as the notes Of the Gypsy
| Countess filed the air. That's 1t" he
| cried, suddenly. II haven't heard that song
! for years. and when l was young man
| sparkling the girls all the beaux and bellies
| took at least one turn at that duet during
| the evening"" and the pair passed out Of
hearing. the older man singing, under his
| breath:
''Oh! how can a POOR gypsy maiden like me,
| Ever hope the proud bride of noble to be?"
< x 4 J.
The ups and downs Of life has no more
| striking instance than Is told of certain
| man who formerly was a chief Of division
in one Of the departments. but after losing
his position and spending time and money
| In an effort to be reinstated, now returns
to his former haunts with a basketful Of
ginger cookies for sale, at stated periods.
His wife's culinary skill and the friendly
relations that have always existed between
himself and his former companions have
| acquired for him a large patronage. and
| he finds a quick sale for his goods In the
| very places where 1t hurts his pride most
| to be seen. Another example Of this pa
| thetic see-saw Is evidenced by former
clerks canvasSing among her quondam fell
| the Recommendations clerk Of few
| years since has to depend for the necessary
| pot-boiling.
| ** x x X
All the girls this year are just dying for
lone Of those dear little gold belts; they are
| SO cute, don't you know" I did not know,
| but went down town and found out that
| they we're the swagger thing in New York,
| and consisted Of an inch-wide girdle Of
gold metallic ribbon with slide and buckle
fof French gilt for the aspiring rabble,
while the naughty upper ten wore real gold
buckles. and didn't look d bit better But
gold belt every one who regards appear
| ances at all must have, or be considered
| as wanting In proper appreciation Of
| fashions DEGREES.
| x X X
While the world Is shopping-mad, there is
| rothing more diverting than to accompany
female friend on tour Of the millners
| to buy bonnet (Men always call wo-
| mems headgear "bonnets.D
| She walks in the store conscious that her
present head covering Is going to be eyed
askance by the superior young woman who
asks her. do you want something expen-
| slve. or q cheap hat?"
WELL I'll look at some evening bonnets
| first" replies madame, and forthwith be-
gins arranging her bangs.
ANY particular color?' questions the
milliner.
| Il think pink suits me best; don't your
| to her companion. and he having nodded
assent pink is tried on. Then follows, in
rapid succession, cerise bonnets with white
stick-ups called aigrettes. green bonnets
| Sprinkled over with rhinestones black bon
nets quivering with jet, and then my lady
| thinks maybe she had better try lone of
| those big hats over there with plumes."
| Then comes procession Of Gains
| boroughs, Tam O'Shanters, imported con-
| fections. till the poor mans brain reels, and
| he wonders if any selection is possible, and
more and more confidential, and are dis
| cussing whether or not some of the pur-
| chaser's old things might not be worked
| over to advantage, and pokes and punches
| are given the unoffending hats, and pats and
| twists administered to the fair ones locks
| till the final words, TN be in again and
decide" are heard. and the original forgery
Is assumed and her exit Is made without
| having selected any substitute.
| X X X
I was going through one of the largest
stores in Washington, yesterday. when my
attention was attracted by a lady in. deep
mourning, and little girl. whose clothes
| were not warm enough for the cold day
The mother avoided the higher priced goods
and took the child around among the toys
that could be bought for a few pennies.
| Everything about the couple betokened cul-
| toiC oAu poNCity. Italy TIE llltle girl saw
| a doll, and. clasping 1t in her arms began to
Groom over it as though it was alive. There
| were prettier dolls all around, and more ex-
pensive dolls. Dolls dressed in the height Of
fashion. dolls that could open and shut their
eyes. and cry, and even eat. But there was
| something about the little flve-cent creation
| that aroused the instinct of motherhood In
| the little girl, and she did not want any but
| this one. But it will spoil your Christmas
| to get 1t now" said the mother. Mamma
some one may buy my dollie. and know 1
| won't find one love so much" plead the
| little one. and then continued, please,
mamma, won't look; you get it now, and
| won't see 1t till Christmas"
| And so the bargain was made and when
| the doll Is taken from the drawer on Christ
| mas morning there will not be happier
| child in Washington than the daughter Of
| the poor widow, who this year. for the first
| time, finds 1t hard to contribute even a
nickel to perpetuate the spirit of ST.
| Nicholas.
| X 4 X K
| I saw a funny thing at one of the hotels
A man came into the office, and, seeing a
guest whom he knew, greeted him with
| great enthusiasm. The Washington man
dilated largely upon the success he had en-
| jOyed since coming here. and insisted unon