The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-26
ii Eeattle

TN We olden times when gigantic op n
ireplaces were The only means of Civ
ing warmth and light to houses. IL
wes an annual custom, carried out
with much ceremony, TO iigAt the
yule log an immense block of wood,
placed on the hcarth-on Christmas eve.
which when once set abiaze was never
allowed 10 die cut untii time had brought
around another Christmas eve.
Today ever homo in ChriStendom sym
bolicaiiy speaiisp. starts its yuie leg OF
love. devotion and friendship. on Christ
mas exc. on exactly the same principle
b. the exchange Of gifts. tokens and
greetings. and then fred with the good
resolutions born OF the influence OF the
day. all strivs with weak human nature
to keep I, alive the rest OF the year.
The yuletfde this year. the last of the
nineteenth century has been remark 1ble
for its general observance by all classes
of ceople irrespective Of creed or reii-
gion, ard never, perhaps. in the history
of Seattle. has the general era OF prosper
ity and consequent good feeling. mani
Tested itself so bountifully as It did this
year. Private homes and public institu-
lions all exceIled their efforts of previous
years, and young and old, rich and poor.
free and In bondage, awoke yesterday
morning the happier for having recorded
another yrletide.
- ~
OEACE and good vii, were evidenced in
the appearance OF every man woman
and child on the streets yesterday, not
alone In the smile OF satisfaction at hav-
Ing made some one happier for the day,
but In the wearing Of new garment or
Jewel, gifts from others equally happy
and equally considerate of the injunction
Love one another
The clerk of the weather failed to give
a Ixrs 1a.xs
unfinished contract for bad weather and
the result was a light drizxle In the early
hours q the morning that had the effect
o. creating resolutions in the minds Of
late and procrastinating shoppers never
70 De caught again In the same predica-
ment. Towards noon. however. the clouds
n5ted and the sun frightened the scene
During the rest OF the afternoon, while
not exactly clear and with the exception
q stin south wind, the day was very
pleasant with the thermometer ayerag-
Ing. at Is degrees above zero
the postoHive. which was oper for few
hours IN the early morning, was crowded
Win wl,n people sending away. presents and
anu from the energy displayed by the
clerks they all certainly put In full
gay work and honestly earned the vaca-
-" ior 'ne resi- o she DAY
HE stores. with the exception OF all
wholesale places and some OF the large
.S S'ax essaphsnmcnts. were open during
me forenoon, but by o'clock every place
of business WIS closed and the city had
donned its full holiday garb
~. ne railroad offices We're also open
curing the early hours of the day as well
~ the express offices, the latter doing the
biggest business ever done on Chrietmas
E Esl eslalIy was this The case with the
apie 10 handle II all having one carload
~ packages which II was unable To de-
nver yesterday. The Great Northern and
h ~. wesee s'r express also did rushing
MI had to fairly force their doors shuf
~ order that the employees might ret
t ne benefit OF quiet Christmas dinner in
Christmas day IL always a bonanza for
the theatrical managers and Yesterday
y, Vas no exception TO the rule except IN the
ahr8er numbef OF people who had to be
refused admission on account Of the
crowds that filled every available space
o. the three theaters afternoon and even-
g amuse these throngs were rewarded
Tor their hard work by exceptionally
hearty applause and by kindly remem-
by. genial ard warm-hearted managers
able 70 appreciate the professional peo-
PIES hard lot away from home. kith and
h'n' on the day q all days.
n y poor and needy IN Seattle were not
lArgoften, and those whom the Vol
lsi,teers OF America failed to reach found
tt't,9' ~ oshti yuafttIs. 80 that all may
DC said to have had bountifui Christmas
dlnner nj the numerous places where the
poor are never forgotten The hospitals
all made II pleasant for their nnynsrous
patients as did the various homes and
charitable Institutions Even the prisons
ers W tue city and county jail were given
dinner. $500
The good samaritans who annually dis
trlhutS nowers 10 the sick the Imprisoned
ana the afflicted were In evidence yester-
day and all the hospitals and similar
institutions were bountifully remembered.
~ ~ "a
GHhtSIMAs day Is perhaps the great
- est OF all DAYS IN the Roman cafhnlic
church, II IL the only day In the year
on which each priest must sing three
masses Every such church IN Seattle
yesterday. including the chapels In the
Providence hospital Convent OF Holy