The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-25
THE BIRTHDAY OF The KING.
Yhe HappisSt Of All Of Christ endOm'S S
Happy Holidays is On.
HOW CHRISTGAS-EYE WAS SPENT.
A Roilioking Crowd on Broad street.
Bounteous Dinners for Rich and Poor
To-Day--1ho wcstmoreland Clubs
Handsome Entertainment.

popularity OF tae festival. for from Fords
Hotel to the Masonic Temple vast
throng crowded and jostlod each other
noisuy and good-naturedly until a late
hour
The great stores wcro crowded with be-
lated purchasers. who kept the clerks
busy. and the already depleted stocks
soon dwindlod 10 nothing but a few
broken dolls and other cast-aside toys
and remnants o. holiday refinery.
KEPT THINGS MOVING
YOUNG people took possession Of the
streois early, and. with their horns ana
hre-craCkors. kept things moving morrlly,
and woe to tho man who scowled at a
youth with "A horn. or chided az the
youngstcr who delighted In lighting the
small end OF "a nce-cracker! Woe 10 TINS
man. for fvo hundred sympathizers with
the youthful citizen viii worry him until
ne is forced 10 seek shelter within the
friendly portals Of some sample room.
where nc himself finds soiace in
'horn."
The cynic who declares there arc few
pretty girls in Richmond has never been
on the streets oh Christmas I've, Tor the
city ie ono bouquet Of bfautiu races
crowned b. becoming hats OF various
STYLES OF archil ecturc. and lighted up by
pretty smiles that are enough 10 make
the hearts OF thc most fearful cynic melt
ECHOES or SADNESS.
Up and down the streets they went
footing their horns and greeting every
b0dy with "A hearty cheer
Amid an these gaieties. however there
were some echoes OF sadness, and the
- sIf
ty that forced themselves into the pres
ence Of the happy throng were soon en-
quilted in the maestrOn Of JOY, aud
transformed themselves from the out
casts OF Christianity TO the redeemed and
cloansod brother.
no fatalities. and very few casualties
resulted from the intensely noisy and de-
monstrative celebration, and when the
midnight hour approached, the crowd
dwindled 20 small proportions and songht
the couch that gave the rest necessary
for "a revival Of the scene to-day.
The happiest people In the throng that
made its way homewsrd were the tired
clerks and shop-keepers, who had been
almost constantly al work for number
OF days and nights. and whose rest Will
come as the sweet dreams Of childhood
on the night before Christmas.
OBSERVED AS OF OLD.
Christmas will be observed to-day az II
Was ln the Halcyon days of virginia
when both money and leisure TO ENJOY ihe
good things of life were me p'saesslpn
Of almost everyone. Whia the day VIII
observed bv many Tor thc purpose OF
giving pleasure 10 themselves yet II Is
gratifying 10 know that the poor will
not be forgotten, neither tho SIX ana
SUFFERING. the old, nor those VINO are
in prison an will be ministered TO-
and viii receive. not only the comforts
1tuf many Of tho fINI-InS
Iu huuuy homes. hy the blazing nre-
side there viii Dee many reunion To-
day and many "a family. made complete
Iv the rcturn of iOng-absent ones VIII
sit down 90 boards loaded with the dell
cacies without which Christmas would
he but IN empty name.
There s legend told Of the good ola
pnfc-bellum days upon Nlfeima PAN
tstion. where when the Night OF time
Yearly brought the merry season wherein
Tho birth of the Saviour rs celebrated
an irorciad rule was enforced thdt nc one
On ths place. neither any dumb beast,
should labor until the backlos' placed
IN the ure early Christmas morning
burned FOO two. A good gum log' soak
o1 several dnvs iu the creek. sometimes
prolonged the festivities indefinitely
While mo- such device can be USED mere
to proIons the AN too short season Of JOY
vet There is o general disposition 10 lay
a.fIe au of the cares of life and enjoyed
the ncctng pleasures of the day.
AT THE SOLDIERS HOME.
The old veterans at inc Soldiers Home
Viii observe Christmas as 10 should pe oo-
served. Commandant q. u. Bigscr has
made arrange mcuts 20 set before ihem a
dinner chat Will eclipse an his previous
efforts. The menu Will be as follows;
Stewed oysters roast turkey tcran-
berry saucel baked Virginia nam, roast
shoat 0ppic saucc) sweet potatoes
creamed Irish potatoes. mixed pickles
celery. wheat bread. corn bread, cheese
crackers, apples. oranges, bananas mix
I'd nuts, rdisms. mixed candy sponge
cake. chocolate cake, currdnt CAKE, mln|e
pie tea. coffee, cigars
AZ tho pcnitcnuary the inmates will De
Iogaitd with many good things by order OF
Superintendent Lynn. and number OF !
baskets from outside friends will ind |
their way within tho walls.
Down az the jail City Sergeant Clai- |
borne Epps has made arrangements 10 |
have a good dinner for his charges. as has |
been the custom at that institution from |
time immc mortal. -
A. ~ Almshouse. also. there will ne
feastinc and rejoicing fer superintendent |
Davis has provided menu that can
hardly De cvccllcd by any served In the
oity " vii be as follows. Turkey baked
sweet potatoes bread, sweet milk slaw
rincc pie apple pic, wine cake pound |
cake. small cakes Jelly oranges, ha- /
ranas r9isins. mixed candles.
Next Tuesday niGht superintendent Da- |
Wis will give an entertainment for the !
pleasure OF the inmates OF the Aims |
house There will be vocal and instru- |
mental music. rccitations and charades |
participated in hy the best local talent
Business will he practically az a stand |
stni to-day. as many or the merchants |
viii close their stores entirely; others |
viii orly keep open till II O'clock.
AT of the state and Federal offices will |
close tho City Hall courts and COM |
miftce rooms VIII be deserted. The post
ofico Will hc opon for the delivery Of mail |
~ tho windows from 10 until 70 o'clock. |
There will be no delivery by the carriers. |
and only one collection mat taking place |
postofice for the past few days he's been |
very heavy. so much so that the force |
has been temporarily increased by nine |
men.
CHRISTMAS DINNERS.
The hotels TODAY. as well as the res |
tauranfe will provide special bills of fare |
from which no dclicacv viii he missing. |
The menu az the Lexington will be as |
follows
Blue points on half shell.
SOUPS Green Turtle au Fin Char,- 1
payne, Cream Of Chicken a IN Princess.
Hors dOeuvres-Saltcd Almonds. cell |
Fish- BOILED salmon. Victoria Sauce |
Turban Of English Sole. Marguerite. Pota-
tors Carmciitc Sliced Cucumhers
Remoyes-Boiled Virginia Ham aux |
MADEIRA with spinach
Roaat- Philadelphia Canon. Iarded /
with Orange Compoft Rhode Island /
Turkey stuffed with Chestnuts Cranber- /
~ Sauce. Ribs Of Prime New York Beef. |
Y ON and Ribs OF Lsrnh Mint Sauce
rnirces- Noisotc ~ Fillet Of beef Ia
I" .nH.