The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-27
ASH BARRELS
FOR BON FIRES.
Servants VIII Be KeenIy Provoked
This Morning.
THE SMALL BOY THE CAUSE.
lie Had 10 Obtain Fuel for His Christ
mas Firc-Sometbing About How
the Day Was Observcd-Very
Little Disorder Reported.
THE SMALL BOY THE CAUSE,

When servants go out in the back
yards in various parts Of the city to-
day and find out that their ash-harrels
are gone. they Will realize where so
many barrels that went up in the bon
fires last night came from.
There was a bonfire on nearly every
square in the city. it seemed. and in
most instances barrels furnished the
fuel
The small boy is a truly irrepressible
creature. He must have his bonfire by
way OF the proper Christmas celebration,
whether it puts cooks and house maids
TO Inconvenience or not. lie does not ad-
Yertise in newspapers or announce by
street-dOdgcrs that he expects % appro-
pirate peoples ash-barrels for lighting
up the portion OF the city where he loafs.
but goes right around where tho barrels
are. rolls them out into the street sprin-
kles little kerosene oil on them, and
a match does the rest.
, GIANT CRACKERS.
There were bonhres an over the city
last night 10 looked as II half a dozen
boys or more cOngregated on every cor
ner 10 light up things, and every group
appeared TO be literally supplied with
pop-crackers. Some touched off huge
canuOn-crackers that reminded one Of
the bOmbardment of San Juan or Moro
Castle by the Puritan and Texas. while
sky-rockets. spit-devils and other forms
OF Illumination were used by tho thou
sands. The fireworks were not so plenti-
iul yesterday as is usual on Christmas
Day. because many Of the small boys
disposed Of part Of their supply Satur-
what are Familiarity known as baby
walkers TO make 10 lively for nervous peo-
Dle
Some ~ these baby-wakers were quite
emphatic I'm tone Two young men with
pockets stuffed with the larger size ann
bled mp Main street last night They
touched of some very large cannon
crackers az intervals.
Wake EN- up. old manr said one Of
them as he tied three ~ the crackers
together lighted the bunch and tossed
them out I'm the street
watch this one. now said the other
fellow, touching off a giant cracker and
rolling 10 underneath a dog. The cracker
exploded. The dog moved There was a
laundering roar howl from tho animal.
"a laugh Of pleasure and OIL went another
cracker. III was fun for The fellows The
dog did not approve Of &c.
a QUIET DAY.
The day was spent quietly enough Tho
streets We're almost deserted at certain
hours and only street cars. an occasional
express wagon busy with its rounds and
"a few pedestrians gave any signs Of ufe.
Many people went out Of the city 10
spend the day. Tho order was compare
lively good. From police circles there
was not much drunkenness or disturb
anco reported The majority Of the pco-
ple seemed TO prefer to remain at home
and eat big Christmas dinners Some
went TO the matinee and some spent She
day hunting. The public offices and
stores and business offices were closed
and the postofice observed special hours.
AT THE HOTELS
The hotels gave their guests big ex-
fra Christmas dinner on Sunday. em-
braclng all the so1soulble dishes to-
gethcr with The delicac.cs that go with
them on this festive occasion. and the
guests who We're compelled perlorce to
remain away from their own h~csidcs.
were none tho worse off so far as food
was concerned.
The hotels arc making big preparations
Tor their New Year dinners, which are
usually Of the finest.