Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-01-03
COMMUNICATED.
CHICAGO, ILL, Dec. %, 1894.

: Dear Sir: Your columns have
brought me q weekly review OF events
in and about Phlllipsburg since my
departure last June. Let me thank
YOU for this kindness, Every Mon
day I have enjoyed, as 1t were, a
chapter IN the current history OF
Phillips county. You have been
called upon to chronicle the sad with
the Joyous, but where has it not been
thus2
During these months, my expert
ence in the University OF Chicago has
been pleasant and profitable. The
studies, it is true, have required a fair
amount of digging" but for the
most part their practical bearing has
prevented anything Of irksomeness.
Just at present we are in the midst Of
our holiday vacation, This means 10
college circles, very general cessation
from work. 1t is rare student that
studies with zest these days, Per
sonally, my time has been very much
taken up in seeing sights in the city.
Chicago has much to instruct as well
as amuse the newcomer, and this at
any time Of the year. But the holt
day season in Chicago is especially
striking to one from the western
plans. / will refer to some things
that have impressed me.
The gorgeous displays in shops
and windows has been remarkable,
especially when we consider the great
depression and scarcity of money,
But neither lack of money nor I'M
Christmas like weather could dis
suade Chlcago's tradeslncn. Two
weeks ago the change was be-
gun. Spruce and hemlock, holly and
mistletoe lined the streets from center
to suburb. Old Santa himself came
early on many O corner, and one
would Judge from the quantity and
and variety Of his stock that, either
he were ignorant Of our penury, or
meant to lavish his gifts with reck-
less hand, Down on State street there
were some of the most richly decor
ated windows that Chicago has seen
for years. Crowds gathered at all
hours of the day, and peered through
the great plate glass at the elegance
within. Prices have accommodated
themselves to the times, and doubt.
less thousands have been gladened
by the bargains the week has brought.
A very commendable feature of the
holiday season, has been the large
philanthropy ard charity. | do not
refer to official acts Of the CITY, but
rather to the efforts Of the churches.
In many Sunday school the usual
Christmas exercise was turned In
part or in whole into o collection OF
gifts for the needy. The downtown
missions made special effort on
Christmas day to satisfy the hungry.
Provisions we're prepared and free
turkey DINNERS were served. In the
afternoon and night a friend and /
visited some of these gospel work
shops, which for the day had become
dining halls for the poor. One had
200 persons, besides distributions to
needy families; another had fed 500
persons besides distributions; while
the Salvation Army had made pro
vision for 5000 OF the city's poor.
When, Oh the next day, the papers
reported an excess of criminalities
and fatalities, there was some salts
faction to read also Of the noble sacri-
flee the day had witnessed in this
generous work of relief.
Another attraction, which was real
" to me one of the barest treats Chi
cago can afford, was the annual
Christmas performance of HandePs
great Oratorio, 1.-The Messiah" This
was rendered by the Apollo Musical
Club, Of this city. The Apollo Club
is a permanent musical association,
which, for seventeen winters, has ia
vored Chicago with the rendition of
"The Messiah" and other masterful
recitaIs. On this occasion there were
about four hundred performers. OF
these, some eighty were represented
in thu, great orchestra occupying the
front OF the stage. Behind the or
chestra was arranged the grand cho-
rus, consisting o. one hundred So
pranos, and as many altos, encircled
on their left with sixty BASES, and on