Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-12-25

A miniature blizzard was the dis
tinguishing characteristic Of the wealth
er upon the eve OF the merriest, hap
piest holiday of the year.
AS if to compensate for the rain and
wind of the buying season, Dame Ma
ture assumed more gracious mood,
and spread mantle of white over the
earth to usher in an ideal Christmas
day. During the morning there was
a downward tendency in the mercury
in the thermometers, and before noon
the drizzle which fell had changed to
snow. The white flakes were whirled
about by stiff breeze, and melted
away as they fell upon mud and slush.
But the temperature continued to drop,
and soon frozen crust showed upon
the little pools of water on streets and
sidewalks, forming a bed for the snow.
The ubiquitous and irrepressible
urchin was abroad as soon as the con-
ditions were right, and his well shod
pedal extremities soon carved out
smooth and CLASSY surface in spots
which put him in a state OF ectatic
bliss, but was menace to the safety
OF life and limb Of pedestrians.
So far as the weather goes, it will be
an oldfashioned Christmas, but the
term may be more comprehensively
used, since it is an old-fashion to be
happy and of good cheer upon this
day. Kris Kingle will give more gen.
erously from his store of toys and
sweetmeats than for many years past.
With every prayer and every illegibly
ical saint, there will be nothing to mar
the happiness of Young America.
Young Americas big brothers and sis
tiers, and his dad and his dads better
half, and their sisters and cousins and
their aunts. will all have occasion for
joy, too, fof Wheeling merchants say
with one voice that the holiday trade
has been the best they have ever ex-
perienced.
Early this morning tn church bells
will ring, and from choir lofts will peal
the glad tidings of the birth of the Saw
ior, the event which all Christendom
commentaries. The same bells will
awake from pleasant dreams to happy
realization, the future Presidents, and
morning prayers will be deferred until
after the inspection of the stockings
hanging from the manteIs, and the
beautiful trees with their myriads of
lighted candles.
The early services will be very elab-
crate, particularly in the Roman Cath
olic and Protestant Episcopal church,
and the decorations will be in keeping
with the nature and Importance of the
feast day.
Egg nog, Tom and Jerry, and other
fancy drinks, will be in demand among
those who are bibulously inclined, and
many family sideboards will have their
fancy Christmas mixtures. The barn
yard has been almost depopulated to
satisfy the holiday craving for the Gin
ner man." Those who from choice or
necessity will be forced to eat their
principal meal at the hotels or res
taurants, will find that elaborate menus
have been arranged.
During the afternoon and evening the
pleasure seeker will be enabled to
choose among many amusements pro-
vided for the secular observance Of tho
day. The theatres offer most attractive
cards-actors, newspaper men and turk
eys being prevented from participating
in the gayeties of the season. There
will also be foot ball on the Island, and
special attractions at the bowling al
leys.