New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
GREAT HOSTS OF SHOPPERS.
AN UNUSUAL CRUSH IN THE BIO
STORES
THE CHANGE IN THE WEATHER HAILED VIII
JOY BY ALL DEALERS. THOUGH SOME
COMPLAIN THAT THE rEMPERA-

JOY BY ALL DEALERS. THOUGH SOME
COMPLAIN THAT THE rEMPERA-
TURE Is TOO MILD.
After suffering from three days OF forbdding.
murky and foggy weather. all the more lamentable
because OF the bright promises which last Monday
held forth for the coming Christmas shopping
week the OF big and little stores alike
looked with JOY upon the disappearance yesterday
OF the cloudbank which had overhung the city for
long. From an early hour yesterday morning II
was manifest that the break In the gloomy pail
that had enveloped the city for the greater part
OF the week meant much to the shopkeepers As
suredly not in recent years have the great stores
been crowded they yesterday from al
most the opening hour until nightfall In the bust
est hours OF the day II was an impossibiiity 10
make ones way from counter TO another in the
large emporiums In the shopping district In SIXTH
ave. because Of the enormous crowds that thronged
each OF the establishments where II is possible to
purchase everything from a needle TO a carriage
and pair. Actually. in many instances. the crush
was great that the sidewalk blocked with
women and fair sprnkling OF men. unable 10
force their wav into the interiors Of the stores Al
ready packed with multitude scrambling to ex-
change their coins OF the Republic for seasonabs
goods.
More than o, the representatives OF the args
stores who were seen yesterday stated that the
welcome change In the weather had given great
an impetus TO Christmas shopping that the visiting
crowds yesterday were greater than have been scen
for many years before. People from o. town
came IN great numbers. and many a commuter re-
turning home last night was barred from seat on
FERRY or train because Of the large oufpOuring oS
suburban shoppers loaded TO the chin With parcels
who had sought to take advantage OF the wide
variety OF wares displayed in the NewYork market.
And yet despite the constantly buying army o.
people who filed the stores throughout the day. a
T''Oune reporter found more than d.sgruntled
proprietor. While admitting that they were taking
money as fast their cash boys and girls could
carry II. they rallied against the weather. N was
too mild, too uns"a soma be. % hem said.
With the exception OF cold and all too brief
week. the season had been warm that they haf
been able 10 sell only small part OF their stock OF
winter goods
You see. rs this way" a partner in one OF tho
big stores said The winter far has been -
warm that We have made half our usual sales
of heavy goods. and when Christmas has passed no
matter how severe the cold may BE- women canno.
be induced 10 buy winter goods. They would soone-
suffer for few weeks days. the case NAV
be. and keep their money for spring costumes Con-
sequently stock in this season depreciates
20 cent and the profits We make IN an unusually
heavy buying Christmas week. such as We ire hav-
ing this year. almost entirely wiped away
The mails passing through the New-lork Post-
Office larger than for several years before mo
postal officials estimated yesterday that before the
end % the day they would have handled nearly four
million pieces Of mail. comprising not only letters.
but every conceivable article which Is allowed ~ %
carried under postal resula