Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-25
IT'S A SEASON OF JOY
CONFEDERATION OF HARD TINES
DOES NOT AFFECT CHRISTMAS.
PREPARATIONS THAT FAYE BEEN MADE
business mt the Post ana Express
omce.-Merchants Make Favorable
aay-Arrangements for To-day.

cbristmas-Day at last! How Vt has
/ been longed for. and what visions Oh JOY
and good cheer have been conJured up
in its connection. what Joy 1t viii bring
and what memories. too-some' perhaps
f,Ill OF sadness, but not unhallowed lot
oil that The true Christmas spirit
seems IN be abroad In the land. or that
there can be no doubt, for the casuai Cd
server must have been struck with the
fact for DAYS past, as he has threaded ms
wav through the crowded thoroughfares.
The regular Christmas-eve explosion took
place last night. and never was II more
boisterous. Even the weather has en-
tered in the spirit of the season. ana IL
the prophetic soul of the weather nan
is to be trusted, we may expect to-day
genuine old-fashioned Christmas season.
THE CHURCH SERVICES.
The day will open with the religious OBJ
seryance. The midnight mass mas not
reached Richmond yet, but in all the
Catholic churches there will be solemn
high mass at A. NJ, when elaborate
GA beautiful music will be sung by the
choirs. ,.ts,,..
I'm the Episcopal churches the "tidings
Of great 10y" will be heard at services
which will take place as on sunday ana
then the hreside celebration VIII occupy
the rest of the day.
The festival proper began OF course
last night. with the advent of santa
clans the runners of whose sleigh are
built ON that oid-fashioned plan that the
absence of snow does not count HIS
sleigh. indeed must have been loaded be
vond compare, for never before mas the
sale of TOYS approached the limit OF TINS
season.
THE MERCHANTS STORY.
The merchants all along Broad street
tell the same story. 1t has been the pest
season they have known for years FROM
On 10 20 per cent. in excess of last year Is
their estimate of the total sales.
IF these are hard times" said pro-
prietor of one of the dry-goods stores
Yesterday. 81 wish we had them ottener =
and the sentiment was echoed lar ana
near.
At the post-office each mail has been
heavier than the last, and an immense
amount of matter has been handled. To-
dav letters will be distributed between
the hours of 10 and II, and then all hands
will enjoy a well-earned rest from their
labors. This will be the first Christ
mas for many year that the clerAs ana
carriers have had the opportunity OF
presiding at the family board AT all
three meals said one OF the post-oihce
EMPLOYEES Yesterday, and when the writer
wished him right merry Christmas, the
lid of his left eye closed suddenly and
opened again in a very significant way.
THE CHRISTMAS HAMPER.
For all the prating about the good old
times and the disappearance OF old-time
customs one. at least, remalns-lhe
Christmas hamper-and this year 1t is
much in evidence
Dispatch reporter has made several
desperate attempts to fight his way to
the counter of the express company, IN
order TO ascertain how. the business TINS
year compares with past Christmas sea-
sons. but on each occasion he has been
bafied by the large crowds, all strug-
Cling towards the same goal, though within
different objects in view. There mas not
been a day that the express offices nave
not been crowded from morning unth
night. and the wagons Of the department
have been cut from daybreak until long
after dghtfall all the week.
AT Laurel Industrial School last night
the annual jubilee Of Santa Claus was
held. Many people visited the institution,
going from the city laden with all man
ner of presents for the boys.
HONOR MIR. RUSKELLA
The employees of the City Hall gave
expression to their cordial feelings for
Mr.. George G. Ruskell, the efficient Ser
geant-at-Arms, by representing him with
a box of silk and linen handkerchlefs.
Mr.. ]. S. b. Wright made the presenta-
ton speech, to which Mr.. Ruskell replied
with much feeling.
The employees OF Mr.. c. w. Tanner
presented him with a large case OF solid
silver, Of the most exquisite workman
shin. The case itself is a work of art
being lined and covered with satin Ac-
companylng the gift is testimonial
handsomely engrossed. which runs as
follows: 1--WE desire you TO accept the
accompanying testimonial of our friend
shin and esteem. This token is present
ed as an evidence Of our appreciation or
the kindness and good will shown in
your business and personal relations
with us. The high regard which we en-
terrain for you, born of your unvarying
fulfilment of the Small sweet courtesies
of life and your constant practice of
liberality towards those who are fortu-
nate enough to be associated with you,
leads us to assure you of our loyalty and
good fellowship. Wishing you a con-
tinuance of Gods richest blessings"
OUT AT LAKESIDE.
The Lakeside Wheel Club has been
beautifully decorated with holly, cedar
and mistletoe for the Christmas holidays
A light lunch, with eggnog, will be
served to the members and their lady
friends after II o'clock, noon.