The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-12-22

fortune In the family carriage. Of all other
classes with mother or older sister, and a
dime quarter or a dollar Clinchcd tightly
In sweaty little fists. For the BARNS, OF
nigh or low degree, only toy counters were
worthy of notice. and hero they fingered
the liyelong afternoon. buying a little but
seeing all and enough 10 talk about for the
next twelve-month. At o'clock big
eratulties of nppreclatiyc employers. or a
moiety OF the monthly wage In Job pocket.
These proudly sought the shops whore
wares are rich and the representative OF
months perplexing toll rlay be carried
away between finger ana thumb. The
tradesmen liked to see Thorn approach. foi
lhey were-their brusqueness notwithstanu'
ing-dainty chocSers ana liberal and un-
questioning payers. Occasionally they
sought their sisters bur more often II was
some other fellows sister who was honorcd
by REQUESTS for adyice.
~
After midafternoon the crowds took on
the most heterogeneous appearance of the
day, all sorts and conditions Of mankind
and womankind pouring up and down, in
and out, enduring all the Inconvenience OF
density, and smiling where for the other
3Gi days they would frown This was one
OF tne dlNiucst symptoms or the contagion
Of Christmas forbcarancc and nnsenshucss.
or course the great body ci Christmas
keepers sought to bcStoW some luxury upon
not 70 fortunate who could vet md re-
source for the indulgence Of their love. one
saw these In the shops whore wares OF
utllitarlun character are almost exclusively
dispensed and many foot accustomed to
frequent vsitatiOns Of natures uuklndly
clpuicntS, Is today or viii soon hc
covered substantially and to It's owners
satisfaction, and no complaint will be heard
that the gift was not luxury That spirit
which Is an but unyprsul--ls another
proof that all Chrstcudom has within its
possession the ingredients for n millennium
And grateful sentiments viii tomorrow
sway the breasts of those who have mere
ly sufficient clothing ana relshablc food
as grateful as the feelings of those upon
whom the love of the gnIucnt has layisned
an hundred unnccdcd baubles.
The late afternoon and early evening were
possessed by the Cty's toiiers and they nm
doubtedly constituted the main body of the
shopping army. Their marchings and their
halts, their councils and strategics were nu-
mcrous as the sands OF the seashorc, and
they perhaps after all, were the main rcll-
ance OF the shopmen.
~
The real essence Of Chrstmastide ccre
monial was seen at the market. There
holly and pine and mistletoe tempted the
sentimental and the poetic, and every
conceivable sort of palataDle Wand was
hcapcd and piled under the very hands
Of the multitude. The staple beef roast
.
supported on the one side by the yeniSon,
turkey and mushroom OF the ntdueut cpl
cure and upon the other by the bhcB
skinned tOiler's rabbit, 'possum, sweet pOta.
to aud hominy. There were dainty fruits
and sweets for delicate palates and nuts
and bonhons Of courscr grain for those OF
more rugged composition. There were
Christmas trees standing IN compact rows
and trimmings by the baBketful. and every
yard OF space had Its wntchful attendant
For a few dollars life could be made 81
slar 1atHaE fNH "A tfaV
Of one winter day; and for a price more
formidable the desires OF the most amhi
touS Eourmand might Oe fully grntlhcd
And there were inhnltcsimal gradual on
market basket could he filled for almos
any price,
The evening crowds had character ant
personnel OF their own. The streets ant
shops were practically invested by thu
high privates Of the grand army OF in
| dustry-the men and the women who pro
duce and who give value to each other
productions 10y their combined consumr
ton. LonginGy they gazed, though, a
compared with .heir numbers, sparIng,
they bought But they gluddened the hear
Of the merchant for the American WORK
he VIII usually purchase while dOlla
remaipF In the Wauct. But the lesson u
this hour was in the character OF his pun
/ Chgses-hls whistles, ruttlcs, wagons, ba,
/ rows, hobbies, drums, tops and dolls II
brought along his bread winning child an
| helped him carry out HIS little surprises
! and withal. he showed the grandest ar
probation Of the rights OF others who Tx
himself were prncticlng the gospel OF IN
selhshness. a
As the evening wore on and the tire
shop attendants and stallkcepcrs began t
have brief moments Of respite from ia
! monotenous iteration ana relteraton o
prices, II could be -tcn that the hcaped- n
tables, counters aud stalls OF the morniu
had been successfully assaulted. and tina
the festivities OF next Wednesday wOnl
have the benefit OF the usual acCesanries.
The principal charm Of December lies IN
doubtedly in the fact that it brings In 1t
train Christmas and the good Saint Mich,
las. To the little snes OF the household
is the month of months, the time OF de
liclous mystery and blisstul anticipation
and marvellous surprises, OF good things =
eat and wonderful toys to play with. My
terry holds sway, the most precise and o.
DERBY household becomes disorganlZ6d an
utterly upset, packages are no longer +,
Ceived according TO the ordinary method!
but are brought In with all possible secrecy
are whlsked Into closet and drawer, M
hidden religiously from view. Busy finger
stop work at the opening OF door Ru
dainty tribes are concealed carefully IL
step Is heard in the hallway. Eyerythin
bears the stamp Of time and holly berrit
and mistletoe make the streets gay Wit
color.
. Even to those who have outgrown Il
beautiful belief Ia " dear old Santa Clau
SCrOOge's nephew, las n good time q kin