Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-26
DAY FOR ALL TO REJOICE
Rich and Poor, Sick and Well Made 10
Feel Glad.
HOW OMAHA PEOPLE SPENT CHRISTMAS
Ideal weather for All Exccnt the hoy
With New s1cd-No Attempt
Made to Transact
business.

Before the first pecp OF day. before ,hc
FIRST rays OF the Christmas sun were to be
seen, omahans-a goodly number OF the
adults and twice as many children
up and about, wishing each Other ~
Merry Christmas The lnquisltiyo tots and
many of their big brothers and sisters were
un long before dawn, anl Gu tip-toe and
gowncd only in robes de mutt crept to the
spot where the Christmas tree stood or
whore the family presents we're piled.
Many Of their parents were but little while
In following them, for they wanted to be
on hand for the earliest church service,
and while 1t was still dark the streets lead
ing TO the principal Catholic and Episcopal
churches were we'll filled with devout wor-
shippers on their way to retura their thanks
to the Father of the Christ Child and TO
invoke His divine blessing
Three and four hours later 1t was an
other lot OF people who were seen On the
streets--lhe streets of the residence portions
of the city, for the business section OF the
city had not yet been invaded. These were
the folks who were armed with large bum
dies and small packages, hurrying hither and
thther to present their gifts to their friends.
A short time later out came those who well
come the uerricst day of ali the year be-
cause OF its serious side, and who eagerly
embrace an opportunity to do good to the
ever present poor. The poor and needy, the
sick and unfortunate In Omaha appeared to
be we'll remembered yesterday. The hospi-
tails were frequently visited, ana there was
mot visitor who had the heart to enter into
the sick wards without some remembrance,
even though Ii were but flower. The va
rious home for unfortunatcs were not
elighted. and the INDECENT sick who are
nursed by that most humane and phian-
thropic organization that has recently sprung
into existence here were made to feel that
Christmas is the brightest day Of the year,
after all.
The American youth who resides in Doug
las county had the sulks during the morn
ing because there was no snow on the
ground. He wanted a chance to try the new
sled, but coasting was not in order yestcr-
day. lie reganed his composure as the
morning wore on, however, and when noon
arrived and the plum pudding and mince
pie were served he felt quite like himself
again. The plain American girl was sercncly
happy all day long. and kept her weather
eye on the suspended mistletoe with a
knowing twinkle.
There were but few people on the down
town streets in the morning. The confec-
TONERS and the florists kept open houses till
noon and had to hustle hard to fill their
numerous orders, some of which had been
placed with them a fortnight ago. Very
few of the other stores or offices were open.
Inc cares tndt kept CnblnpaBne punch III DlS
bowls on their gllded bars ready Tor free
and unlimited circulation were very popular,
and their popularity did not diminish one
whit as the day wore on There were
numerous fine lunches, too, that appeared
mCst inviting, especially to him without
money and without price.
Just how the festal day was celebrated by
the classes and the masses, by the rich
and poor, by those who look up and those
who look down, by those who rejoiced be-
nF .trNI -, Il
by those who did not know or did not care
what 1t was all about, is told by those who
spent the day among such.
WITH THE POOR.
While many an Omaha lad and lassle
looked out this morning on the dry pave
ments and glowing sunshine and longed for
the white covering that would bring with
II the chime of sleigh bells and add the real
winter enjoyments to those of Christmas day
there were others to whom the absence of
snow and ice brought a sentiment of thank
fulness. For while sleigh bells and q vista
OF pure white snow might make the day
beautiful to some, 1t would have brought
cold and misery to hundreds who had no
coal bins piled high with fuel and to whom
warm furs and ulsters were an unknown lux
ury. Many a family in Omaha was happy
yesterday that would have suffered II the
day had been one of these wintry occasions
that carry out the real sentiments of Christ
mas. They looked through broken window
l
thankfuness that the winter winds did not
blow through their rickety habitations and
that the season had been tempered to the
needs of those who could not protect them
selves from It's rgors.
The open weather that interfered materi-
ally with the holiday sales of the business
establishments made Christmas a more than
usually joyous occasion for the poor. No one
could suffer from the cold. and the good peo-
pie who had something to spare saw that
oh
liable organizations provided some substan-
tial assistance for the poor families on their
lists, and II the wolf menaced the threshold
of others whose needs had not been brought
to their attention there were kind neighbOrS
who offered their assistance and provided
the material for many bountiful meal that
made Christmas something more than a
name. Many family was helped yesterday
that could have scarcely been induced to ac-
cept aid on amy other occasion, and IL any
one was hungry 1t was because their neces-
sity was not suspected. There is scarcely
grocery in town that did not send out loads
of provisions yesterday that had been or
dered by the benevolent for those who need
ed them. 1t was not an unusual sight to see
a wagon drive up to some abode of poverty
deposit quantities of potatoes, bread and
meat and drive away, leaving no information
as to the source of the kindness. Those who
make a practice of such benevolences say
that there seemed to be less demand for
these attentions this year than there has
been FOR several years. Few people suffer
as long as the cold weather does not come
and hundreds OF people were comfortably
situated yesterday who would have suffered
exceedingly II the month had been what
business men were wishing for.
The Salvation army barracks, on Daven-
port street, was one OF the most popular
places In town yesterday afternoon. This
was caused largely by the announcement
that Christmas dinner would be given TO
all who applied. At the hour announced
for the fun to begin the space about the
old building was crowded and the doorway
was jammed by men, women and children
who had their appetites concealed about
their persons. About seventy-fve were ad-
mitted at one time and they were seated In
the pews, which had been converted into
temporary tables by laying wide boards
across the tops and covering these with |
table cloths. A generous supply of the things
necessary to constitute a regulation Christ |
mas dinner was placed before the hungry
people and all disappeared as II by magic. |
When the first lot had been satisfied they |