The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-12-24
BUSY SCENES WHERE THE
CHRISTMAS SHOPPERS GATHER

Yesterday was the last but one befor,
| christmas, and despite the resolves o,
the good intentioned and the repeated
warnings Of the press not to put of
Christmas shopping until the IIth hour
| 1t was evident that good intentions and
timely advice from busy editors had alike
been disregarded or forgotten II one NAV
Judge by the crowds which thronssd
Westminster street and surged through
me stores yesterday afternoon and even
| ing
Indeed, IL seemed as all the ferninius
portion OF the city had turned ont en-
masse I'm search OF Christmas cheer And
Ol CHRISTMAS cheer there was no lack
for all the air seemed filled with the
spirit OF Peace on Earth, Good VIII To-
ward Men"
indeed, there seemed a contagion in all
tne atmosphere. which was shared nv
old ana young alike az they unconscious
y Drank In the spirit of Christmastide
Ana III the big department stores wers
tnfonged with women, what shall Wa say
or the children, for surely they were NO,
ieft az home To langush
On the contrary they were everywhere
omnipresent. Mothers came with tbsir
orood OF little ones and grandmothers
came with grandchildren and grew Young
again In the delight and enthusiasm OF
childhood. There was crowdine and lost
ing and pushing which at a less auspici
Gus time, might have given offence but
the face OF Christmas seemed to glow
an the brighter where the crown surged
greatest. IL was an inspiring sight to
watch the children as with wondering
gaze they feasted their eyes upon the
scene
The little girls especially were trans
hNed as they beheld tho wonderful col
lection OF dolls OF all descriptions. and
silently wondered II good old Santa Claus
would remember them on Christmas eve.
But wonderful attraction To the bows
and girls were the big grab boxes which
We're I'm all the big stores. These were
surrounded at all times. and il was al
most impossible to entce the children
away. occasionally some ono was for
tunate TO secure big prize when all the
children would shout with delight. One
little miss In particular. grabbed a big
dall and bore IL away trlumphant-
~ to the unspeakable admiration. not
TO say envy OF all the other little misses
The crowd OF boys who watched the
scene however, could hardly appreciate
the good fortune of the little girl and
respectfully withdrew TO the hoys depart |
ment. near by, where an animated dis
cussion was carried ON as 10 the reia- l
tive merits OF sleds, skates engines and !
the Ike and the probable degree of good 4
behavior which Santa might require I'm 4
order TO deserve the coverted prize.
Hardly a stones throw from the big
stores on Westminster street. another
crowd of happy wondering children was /
gathered. gazing up Co what was. to
hem real Santa Claus bobbing M from
he chimney with pack on his back
Here the children stood as N rlvcted
q the spot. while time and place were
oreotten and only realized when a burly
policeman. In kind but convincing tones
Commanded them 10 move on and make
ilaces for other crowds OF children
But amid all the shifting scenes and
he giadness OF the day an occa sional in
ident which was filled with pathos was
'Otcd For instane. little girl of per-
laps nine or ten years. was passing down
he street. pausing occasionally. 10 gaze
ongingly into the store windows Her
ace wss pinchcd and worn aud her cloth
ng bctokened that she was u child Of the
lms. Finally she was discovered by a
ind faced lady. who approached her
1lth the query, what would you like
est % anything for Christmas pres
nt. little girl9' Instantly her face
frightened az she said. "Oh. y doll.
ever had n doll ' Come with me- said
be- lady. ana closely following. the little
'arf was soon made perfectly happy with
he gift ~ q beautiful 1sNen haired doll |
hitch would open and shut its eyes with !
delightful expression the little girl |
ugged the doll 10 her brast az she has.
pnsd down the street no longer intent !