New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-20

A LONG WEEK AHEAD IN WHICH TO Buy FIRES
rxTs. But EVERYBODY BEGINNING EARLY
HOTELS FULL AND THE RAILROADS
STILL BRINGING PEOPLE TO TOWN
Christmas-week shopping began with vengeance
Yesterday morning bright and early The amount
az Christmas goods that Will be bought this week
PROMISES TO establish record that Will be hard 10
beat; There have been some promonitions that the
purchasing brgades would devastate the big stores
mis- year as never before. and the manner IN which
they started out on their errands yesterday augurs
well FOR the volume of trade. That large but COM
parativoly inconspicuous body that pays the
rrcisht" likely to be sending up cries Of an
sush not TO mention Groaninss that cannot be
uttered wn.n the bills come In.
There are several reasons why the troubles Of
the head Of the household seem likely to be I'M
usually great this season. one Of them is that the
Christmas shopping week IS longer this year than
4, has been In seven years for the reason that
Christmas falls upon Sunday. Six whole days in
which to jam the big shops OF the city; six whole
days In which 10 60 out with empty arms and a
full purse and return with OVERLOOKING arms and
empty pockets-not 20 mention checkbooks-are
enough TO shake the stoutest hearts Of those who
settle.
At an early hour yesterday morning the uptown
shopping district began 70 swarm with the purchas-
ing army After the luncheon hour The crowds In
creased TO proportions such not sometimes
assumed by crowds on the day before Christmas.
OF course the women were IN big and working
majority The Christmas frenzy on them. too.
There was none Of that casual and mildly interest
ed strolling about the big shops wandering from
one counter 10 another, and thoughtful comparison
OF prices business in every feminine eye. The
shoppers rushed from one counter 10 another.
eagcrness in every NOV ement. Those who were dis
appointed in desired purchase could easily
be pointed out. An angry gloom hung above their
knitted hrows as they rushed onward in hope OF
better luck elsewhere. corresponding exultaton
cca med from the eyes OF the successful
~ women there were not lacking camp-followers in
the SHAPE of men Some Of them eptom!zed disgust
as thev were dragged hither and ihither in the
train Of the line Of battle. Others were philosoph-
teal and endeaVOr. 10 solaco themselves by an
n-eriatior Of the humorous side Of the skirmish n.
a. All des he sound Of strife went UP. The assault
ing army rallied time ano again. and when some
~ .harn f4ll before the defending saleswomen.
o,oers stepped boldly into their places, firing IN
ONLY The coming II darkness pax stop TO hostlll-
,,as which will be renewed bright and early this
Fyervthing promises an ideal ante-C Christmas
w II Yesterday were only sample OF the next
Nvs davs five days Of meteorological perfection
uould h. mead Of city. Bright skies ana crisp
sir are the things that make the money fly in
Chrstmas week And when the money hies the
recipients OF is equivalents and the shopkeepers
Todv Of .freieht-payers" complain, and very many
az those don't really care. and utter thelr com
ulair-s merely : matter Of form and In order 10
conform 10 d time honorcd custom.