New-York tribune., 1896-12-27
OTERWORKED.
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT HAS TOO MUCH
TO Do

TO DO.
People of every class and every disposition
seized every year with kind OF fever which
belongs only to the season o: buying in
numerable articles TO present TO each other
on the day which has be celebrated
IN this fashion. It is the proper thing TO
say that this represents the traditional ''Chtis-
mas spirit of love and goodwill. Such idea is
doubtless at the source OF the custom. ana Il
probably mos apparent now in the patience and
good humor which characterize the majority Of
the tired crowds OF giftseekers But. on the other
nand. the "Chris,mas spirit" has been q trIne
faint OF late in manifes,ing itself
casions at which il supposed to rule. 1t il
not fair moreover 20 blame the spirit for this for
there is not a shadow OF doubt that It is over
worked To a financial and consequently q
modern American term. it has become too 'ex
tended" I'm it's operations. II has been called upon
to cover unreasonable multitude OF things. In
its legitimate field it is about good ever;
beyond that II il might he expected. thin.
one has difficulty in putting the proper spirit
into Gifts for really loved friends and relatives.
hut IL comes hard when il is pressed into the ser
vice OF what may he called duty presents The
observer must be forgiven for the reelection that
there would be fewer compiica tons in the CHRIST
buying if gifts were purchased except
those which carry with them the spirit in its full
strength.
The actual shopping Itself at Christmas time is
wholly different from shopping at any other season
of the year. People hurry along the streets and
through the store aises with II looking for
Christmas presents" az plainly stamped upon each
individual If he she bore label to that
effect. There is sort o. electrical undercUrrert
OF anxiety and purpose which every one feels. and
by which. probably. he Is able to recognize that
the whole race Of shoppers is inspired with one
idea l. is one Of the striking things about the
Christmas shopping that it j. epidemic in the full
-
differ according to the disposition OF the person.
but there is one which is. the doctors say
nearly always present" That is the carrying or
bundles. Everybody Is laden down with parcels
and boxes OF every conceivable shape and SIZE
Women less used to makirg their
way through the streets at any season with their
hands and full OF small purchases. In fact
they have an uncomfortable. lost" feeling II they
happen by any chance to have nothing TO carry. But
with IL Is different There the Christmas spirit
really proves its power. At what other time in the
year would any sclf-respecting brother or husband
consen, TO walk through the city burdened like
the proverb!al packhorse? There may be. il IL
true. ill-concealed expression Of shame on his
face. when the dapped-gray head Of the rocking
horse. the wheels of the express wagon
always a vivid scarlet; will persist in sticking out
through holes In the wrapping paper, but it must
be said that he carries off such unpleasantnesses
with wonderful good-nature.
There has been no better vantage ground for oh
servatior OF the shoppers. during the last few days
than just within the principal entrance OF any one
OF the large stores You could stand at one end OF
the long counter. near the door. and pass in review
typical portion Of the entire city show. At any
other OF the year. such a proceeding the
part OF the usually hurried New-Yorker might ex-
cite suspicion. and YOU would probably be closely
watched by the noorwaker and the store detec-
tive for signs OF shopliftng tendencies But at
a
abandonment Of vigilance. The store authorities
20 trust in the natural honesty OF the spirit"
or perhaps there may be something in the fact
that their attention is greatly monopozed by the
handling OF the enormous crowds. However l.
may be. you moested last week, bat were
allowed 10 look on 10 your hearts content When
you had been at your post a few minutes the
nrst tning you became conscious Of tnat a
considerable number OF other people almost al OF
Them men. standing about. likewise idle, IN
the midst Of The general hurry But 1t needed only
d second glance To make sure that they were not
especially Interested IN watching me crowds. Most
eyes which seemed 10 indicate that they were look
ing forward 10 some future eAistence-say. that
which would begin on the day after Chrls tINas-Ih
which shopping would be happily unknown. II YOU
kept watch OF them for littie ,wniie. You found
that each tnaliy joined by some feminine
relative friend. whose emergence from the thick
was hailed with pathetic delight Not all Of the
women we're so consolidate OF ther escorts now
ever but insisted upon dragging them around 10
the different counters. In such cases the mascu-
in favor OF getting the thing nearest hand what
noticed noving briskiy about. accompanied by her
grown-up son. probably does not appreciate what
treasure she has In that young man. Anything
she gave him to do he accepted with meeknesS
which certainly can have had few equals.
Di.k darling just 20 back to the handkerchief
counter and get my parcels and change. won't you?
& 80 % & ne, I aHn lack e ma" AND al wa sG
for at ,he enc of this counter III have 'wo
or three bottles OF ,OlOgne for you TO take then"
And Dick. TO his everlasting credit, be 1t recorded
started of. tho gh his arms were even then aP-
COMMISSIONS. like the most obedient small child.
Women. OF course predomnated in the crowd
server near the entrance. Some Of them had.
Judge by their almost happy ceypressions; very
worried that you felt at once, with the sympathy
of experience. they were SUI easting about for
RESPECTIVE families. once in while. rarely. 1t
dscordantly ssS in lie desired Chris,nas harmony
there would be- a conversation somewhat Ike this:
thing Size gave present last year. don't
see why I'm sure-and ! know she'll expect me
TO return it this Christmas. Well, I'll get her one
Of those hchus-imiiation of real lace. you know
rs plenty good enough }, R91t know ma I'D care
won't be able to criticise H."
luciy declined to be present. but 1t is happily true
Tia, such Instances were decidedly in the minority
the pleasure they felt in buying their gifts
In the throrg that pushed and elbowed rs way
on Christmas Eve vas man who looked like an
exaggerated figure irom a toy box His sailor uni
form spl k-d span. ana tNt cOl letters on
his cap band showed little wear. In one hand he
carried a little parcel the other was thrust deep
into his trousers pocket. and he joined the
christmas shoppers. Presently he landed
upper hoor which was given over to Santa Claus
cl,rne and soldiers OF natioraliiy. games and
puzzles mechanical contrivances and dolls with all
.crT. ~ expressionlcss faces fascinated the blue
Jacket and the excitement OF the children and the
general holiday spirit seemed to make him long
for compa nonship.
Say ne said. turning to man who was buying
toy books. are you getting them for your Young
'un?'
Yes: why:
Christmas. there's none o mine anywhere around
here and II you don't mind take this along" and
he heIi up a soldier boys orlht'-hemet. belt.
sworA rifle and shoulder knots The other man