The times., 1900-12-25
CHRISTMAS JOY PREVAILS
The Nations Capital Celebrates
the Universal Holiday.
Santa Claus Comes While the Little
Ones Sleep and Leaves Happiness
in His TraiIN President and Mrs.
Mckinley to spend Quiet pny-
Gifts for White House Attaches.

Just as the invisible hands upon the
clocks in the PostofIice tower pointed 10
the hour of midnight Kris Kringle. clad
, in his new Raglan and riding in his shin
ing, noiseless automobile. lader with
treasures, turned into Pennsylvania Ave-
nue.. In less time than is required TO mar
rate it, he had sped from Giesboro Point
to the District line, stopping at the homes
of thousands of boys and girls where he
crawled through keyholes. down chimneys
and with lavish hand filled the pendant
hosiery with an abundance of those things
which go to make Christmas the most
joyous day of all the year. The fleet
footed reindeer with jingling bells at
tached to the old-fashioned sleigh, which
legend has given him for travelling in
snow-covered countries, he found insult
ed for Washington with its balmy spring
like climate of Christmas E"e. His COM
ing was betokened by the preparations for
his reception made in unnumbered house
holds, and his advent was heralded
throughout yester-evening by the blowing
of trumpets. the changing of bells. and
the general rejoicing of nearly all of the
people of the Capital City. Expectant
children rubbed their sleepy eyes in vain
efforts to remain awake until he should
appear, or crept from their downy couches
and peeped over the banisters in the hope
Of seeing Santa Claus. But the willy old
fellow, with his years of experience in
eluding the little folk. enabled him to
escape again unseen TO the far-off icy
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morning he is complaisant in the graft
tude and reioicings of tens of thousands
of happy children.
But Christmas this year has not been
alone for the Juvenile. Older folk have
with elaborate arrangements prepared 70
celebrate this the greatest of all the days
of the year. and in such manner as to in
dicate that the practice of the custom is
ever on the increase among all classes of
people. Even in the homes of those who
accept Confueius or Mahommed as the
founder of their faith, there Will be an
observance OF the great Christian festal
day. Last year the little son of Mr.. WI,
the Chinese Minister. insisted upon hang
ing up his stocking as did the other
children in his neighborhood. This year
he is aware of the secret, and while he
will receive his presents like grown-up
people, he was determined that the little
up his stocking. The little son of Ali
Ferrough Bey, the Turkish Minister, who
is today having his first Christmas had
prepared for him Christmas tree by his
New England nurse.
In the sale of the multitude of presents
which this day make happy the thousands
who receive them. the merchants have
prospered, and their wearied clerks were
glad that last night was Christmas Eve.
Belated purchasers kept them busy untii
a late hour last night. and everywhere
throughout the business section there
we're throngs of people who having laid
aside all care had come out to recreate
ana rejoice The markets were filled with
those who had delayed until the last hour
the buying of the good things for their
Christmas dinner. Express messengers
and delivery boys were kept busy all night
carrying presents and delivering goods.
Besides gifts and edibles there come
with Yuletide holly and mistletoe and
evergreen, and these hive found place In
the decorations Of thousands of homes to
give good cheer and gladden. the hearts
of all the family circle. To those whom
fate has been unkind and fortune mig
gardly in the bestowal of her gifts. there
will also come today SONG cause for re-
joicing with the vast majority. Scores
of church. fraternal. and social organ
lZatlOHS THROUGHOUT the CITY nave lnlS
year been diligent in searching out the
and have been generous in
sharing with them the blessings Of the
season. Still there are perhaps thou
saads who have been overlooked who
are not enjoying a portion of prosperity
and in whose homes there were last night
no Christmas trees, no stockings hanging
beside the marteI, no Christmas gifts.
and where only spare Chr stmas meal
will be spread today. Only to such rs
these was last night similar to all other
nights.
At the White House the day will be
but quietly observed. The
President will rest from his labors, and
will receive only social callers. There
are no guests at the Executive Mansion.
and there will be none save the usual
family to assist President and Mrs Nc
Kinley in enjoying their Christmas din
ner, which will be served at o'clock.
the usual dinner hour. In the morning
the President will attend church and lis
ten to an address by Rev. Dr. Bristol.
and in the afternoon he will go driving
with Mrs. Mckinley provided the day is
fair All day yesterday the express mes
sengers were delivering presents at the
White House, many of them coming from
the distant island possessions. Among
the gifts were many curios. Mrs. Nc
kinIey has been handsomely remembered
by a host OF friends and has taken a
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