Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-24
On THE THRESHOLD.
,up,NGEMENTs PERFECTED FOR
OBSERVANCE OF X1IAs-DAY.
STREET SCENES And INCIDENTS.
The Merchants Delighted with the
Bu,incsS Transactcd-FreiGh De-
WcstmoreIand Club Celebration.

"-asras The turkey! Holloa! Whoop!
Flow are you? Merry Christmas"
Tie spirit Of the great festival is abroad.
-.. reelected not only in the faces of the
r- bright with anticipation, but in
t-e tameanor Of the old. who will renew
Oil youth tomorrow for a single day.
csrs.mas-Day, hallowed with its holy
aauoas and proclaiming anew the
"-.ol -l.nrs Of great JOY" exerts an in
f1ree on young and old alike. To the
yoc1- 80 is q day Of feasting and glad
ness While TO the old # brings back
c-.shel past and revives memories, ten
t.r perhaps. but ineffaby sweet, and over
a IKE il sheds the mantle Of peace and
GOODWILL
CROWDS on BROAD STREET.
She scenes on the shopping thorough
faxes and in the big stores are but repe-
taon OF the Christmas scenes Of a gene
radon. There is nothing new in Christ
i.- set Christmas is ever new. Broad
lstrt,t is crowded daily from morning 10
l-ht and it becomes matter of su-
Irus- difficulty TO establish right OF
Vr upon 10. one has TO accept posi-
tol n the vast procession and move
Vlan DO moves and halt when it comes TO
earlsuu one jostles against clerks
going % post the days letters and against
4Hl rs ON their way home and against
Plaintiffs and defendants and suitOrs OF
all s0rts. and against the general crowd,
B.. whose way the forensic WISDOM OF ages
Imposed million of obstacles 10 the
r-lsacron of the cOmmonest business OF
l.r The season has brought with il the
regular army Of mendicants; some are
.-l0ued and correspondingly unfortu-
ate while others display their innrmltles
50 fhs public gaze. and do not ran 10
touch sympathetic chord in the hearts
end purses Of many.
FEATURES OF THE DAY.
Tomorrow will be observed with ces-
ito1 in the affairs Of the world. The
special features Of the day Will be the
aJua-c0m.ngs, the religious services,
family dinners. Christmas parties, ana
Cl-s.-aas-trees. The hotels will have
ner Christmas dinners. and the business
Ran w.u not even be able 10 get his mali'
unless he snail take the trouble 10 90 10
r- r0st-ofice between the hours Of ~
a-1 -.
Every train arrlNng in the city brings
crow Of h0mc-comers, who are 70 spend
Ur holidays I'm that charmed circle.
ntt Gathers round the family fire.
t Tie freight depOts and express
cs are fairly choked with hampers
and u. ckaccs. and the clerks are work
rr from carly morning far into the night
a orler 10 reduce order out OF the chaos'
vt.h rcigns supreme az present. The
number of man-bags reaching the post
clce .y the mails IS greatly increased,
ul tho bags fairly bulge with good
4 aud small gifts.
BUSINESS has BEEN GOOD.
Tho retail merchants. who are work
night and day have been agreeably
prsel az the volume Of business trans
.0l during the past two weeks. IL
surpassed their most sanguine eX-
'auons. they say. Their stocks. which
Fo unusually large this year, and par
''ar.y tempting. betray evidence or
onslaught Of the multituees, and al
.y give signs OF depletion. An i'm
sn traffic has been done this year In
m0sc useful articles. though the
k-kuacks. and especially those made
sterling silver. have been in great de-
ald
lhe florists. also. have reapod a rich
ftesr The flowers IN greatest de-
and have been the American Beauty
and the modest yiolets. The prices
much about the same as in former
The nurserymcn have received
number o. orders for the decoration Of
waite homes. and the evergreen huck-
iNs done "a thriving business on the
walks OF the by-strocts.
ihefe has been "a great demand this
Toy liies and other white flowers
W l.e decorations OF the church affairs,
me services tomorrow IN the Catho-
ana Episcopal churches viii be very
-'pies.iye. Among the other denomIna-
most Of the special services VIII take
-.e next Sunday. The music for these
wees has been IN course Of prepare
or several weeks and will be very
4el feature Of all the Christmas ser
a" tfisimas entertainment Will be held
|D"cIth church Sunday school Oh