Evening journal., 1898-12-24
JOYFUL CHRISTI MAS.
Streets Crowded With the
Eager and Merry Shoppers.
STORES FILLED WITH BUYERS
SPECIAL PROGRAMS ARRANGED
IN ALL THE CHURCHES FOR
TOMORROW CHARITABLE So
CITIES DOING GOOD WORK.

Although tomorrow win be Christ
MAS Day, Monday will be generally
celebrated as the holiday except In the
chnrehes, in MOST OF which elaborate
programs have been prepared. 2he
chcirs have been rehearsing nighNy
for the past two weeks, and some ex-
cellent special music is promised.
AT the y. NJ. G. A. an intsreeting
meeting for men has been prepared.
THE speaker Will be Rev. William
Frederick Lewis, of Rodney Street
Presbyterian Church. The vocal music
will be furnished by a quartet from
the same church. composed OF Leonard
r. Wales. IT.. ]. Frank Ayers, Miss
Miller and Miss We,din.
There are always large numbers OF
pcor to be looked after. and they will
not be forgotten this year. The Aes0
ciated Charities always care for the de-
serving at all times. and tomorrow
| They viii make the less fortunate feel
that there are kind hands ready to as-
sist them.
A large Christmas tree win be erect
ed tonight at the City Hall by the
Sunshine Circle Of Kings Daughters
for the poor children. Il will be iGden-
ed with dolls and horns. and each lit
tie girl viii be presented with a doll,
and each boy with a horn. There will
be candy for all. and the members OF
the circle are looking forward to the
event with as much pleasure ais If they
were the ones to be directly benefited.
A-l the factories and business houses
viii be closed on Monday except a
few stores. which viii be open during
the morning.
Matinee and evening performances
will be given alt an of the theatres
This win be about the only amusement
furnished outsile of the various
church entertainments. It was hoped
that there would be skating on Christ.
mas Day, so the young people could
use their new skates. but Judging from
the fair weather this is not likely now
BUSINESS VERY BRISK.
The streets tcgan to fill early thii
= morning with shoppers eagSr to dN
{ their marketing and other buying be
fore the Christmas eve rush came on
s The day is clear and consequent.
4 brought out large crowds. The mer
= chants and their clerks were kept bne
{ all morning, the stores being file
with people who have ceased to lool
n at the Christmas goods. but are nor
n buying. Hundreds OF Chrisltmas tuI
b keys are being sold. and the farmer
L are doing as much business in thei
J line as the merchants. Christina
]. trets that line both slides OF Fourt
4. street are fast disappearing. for ever
NJ household must have tree, as Chris
a mas would not be complete without 1
Is and the little ones must not be dis
appointed.
II Merchants are doing better bus
a ness this Christmas than for sever7
Ie years. Everyone seems to have
.s least a lltle money 10 spend tn
bright clear day has made a great di
NJ ference in the appearance OF the Peep.
v They .OOk cheerful ana well dresse
,e The women haven't wet skirts
,s bother them, and the men are n,
b compeLled to carry troublesome I'm
4 brellas.
"A The express offices and the post off.
10 have their share of the work to a
yr tend TO. Christmas letters and Chris
r mas packages are arriving and bctr
o. sent in large quantities. Extra e,
press wagons have been put in servi,
n. and four extra mail-carriers have be,
IL added to the force The general deli
o. cry window win be open to-morror
an This is necessary on account OF b
nj large quantities Of mail To-day
~ expected to be a record breaker in Il
business OF the post office.